Pearson Partners International

Tag: executive

Navigating to Your Dream Executive Role

by Lisa Thompson, LPC, PCC
Vice President

Navigating to your dream executive role that aligns with your passions is not just aspirational—it is critical for enduring leadership success and fulfillment. As an experienced professional, you are not just looking for a role but seeking a path that resonates with your personal ambitions and professional strengths.

This guide will help you with navigating to your dream executive role, ensuring your skills and goals align with organizational visions and succession plans.

Strategic Self-Reflection

For senior professionals, self-reflection goes beyond identifying interests—it is about evaluating your legacy and envisioning future impacts. What types of leadership roles have you thrived in? Which of your contributions have been the most fulfilling? In which areas have you received praise and positive feedback from superiors and mentors? Reflect on these highlights to understand your core competencies and values, which are vital in charting your path to executive success.

Deepening Passion through Strategic Engagement

As an experienced professional, deepen your engagement in areas you are passionate about. This could mean leading new initiatives, spearheading corporate social responsibility programs, or mentoring younger colleagues. Such involvement enriches your expertise and visibly aligns your passions with organizational goals.

Market Analysis and Positioning

Conduct an in-depth analysis of the executive job market. Identify organizations and industries that align with your values and have a track record of nurturing executive talent. Leverage your established network and industry knowledge to position yourself as a thought leader and a viable candidate for future executive roles.

Skill Advancement and Thought Leadership

Evaluate the evolving competencies required for executive leadership within your organization and in similar external roles. Consider pursuing advanced training, certifications, or even executive education programs. Share your insights and expertise through professional networks, publications and speaking engagements, cementing your reputation as a thought leader in your field.

Strategic Networking

Leverage your professional network for more than job opportunities. Engage with peers, mentors and industry leaders to exchange ideas and insights. Active participation in industry panels, boards and associations can provide visibility and strengthen your professional relationships.

Executive Branding in Resumes and Communication

Your resume and professional communications should reflect your executive potential. Highlight strategic leadership experiences, significant achievements, and your ability to drive organizational change. Each interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate your vision and executive presence.

Targeted Interview Preparation

Prepare for executive interviews by focusing on strategic and quantifiable discussions. Articulate how your experience and vision align with the company’s long-term goals. Be prepared to discuss your approach to leadership, change management and innovation, showcasing your readiness for higher-level executive roles.

Persistence and Continuous Learning

The path to an executive role or promotion often requires patience and resilience. Stay informed about industry trends and be open to feedback and new learning opportunities. A career coach or executive mentor can offer invaluable guidance and support during this journey.

Navigating to your dream executive role requires strategic thinking and a deep understanding of your professional journey. By aligning your career ambitions with your passions, you can carve a path that leads to executive success and provides profound professional fulfillment. Remember, the path to executive leadership is as rewarding as the destination.

February 8, 2024
What Will Be Different This Time?

Throughout our lives, we have bursts of action toward realizing our most coveted dreams and goals. Yet, many of us hit barriers and retreat to our places of comfort. What will be different this time?

To make lasting progress, we must identify past pitfalls and consider what will be different this time. No one explained this concept better than Portia Nelson in her book There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk:

“I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in… it’s a habit.”

Simply identifying problems isn’t enough to break habits. You must outline concrete actions and processes and hold yourself accountable to avoid the same mistakes and make real progress.

This is where many people fall short. Sometimes, excitement takes over, and moving at pace is far more attractive than planning. Other times, our self-saboteur works silently in the background, turning our fear of success into reality.

Here is your mission for today:

Reflect on the obstacles you have hit along the path to your goals, and ask yourself, “What will be different this time?” Make a detailed plan to turn these insights into action. Invest in your dreams—they are worth it, and so are you!

This article is the third in a three-part series from Lisa Thompson on aligning your actions with your purpose. Read the rest of the series in Am I Working Toward My Highest Purpose? and When You Are At Your Best, What Are You Doing?

December 19, 2022
When You Are at Your Best, What Are You Doing?
Recently, I shared an exercise to align your actions with your purpose. What if you are unsure of your purpose? Here is a question to help: When you are at your best, what are you doing?

Identifying your moments of greatest strength and fulfillment can show how you can provide the most value to the world.

For example, are you in your element when giving a presentation? Do you feel energized and effective during team planning sessions? You can translate these activities into purpose statements. Here are a few examples:
- Public speaking: Inspire people to action.
- Strategic planning: Lead people into the future.
- Problem-solving: Remove barriers to progress.
- Team-building: Connect and support people to achieve great things.
- Training: Develop people to reach goals.
When are you at your best? How can you capitalize on these moments to provide the most value?

This article is the second in a three-part series from Lisa Thompson on aligning your actions with your purpose. Read the rest of the series in Am I Working Toward My Highest Purpose? and What Will Be Different This Time?
November 22, 2022
Am I Working Toward My Highest Purpose?

Have you held a mirror up recently and honestly asked, “Am I working toward my highest purpose?” If not, take a moment to try it!

This is often my primary role as an executive career coach: to hold up a mirror to my clients and help them align their actions and achievements with their intentions.

When you try this exercise, if you feel like you are getting off track or you have lost sight of the path altogether, consider: “What do I need to do to align?”

Small steps can turn into great strides toward your most prized goals. Cultivating high self-awareness through reflective practice is crucial to great leadership.

What is one small step you can take this week to get closer to your objectives? How can you cross the hurdles? Let me know in the comments!

This article is the first in a three-part series from Lisa Thompson on aligning your actions with your purpose. Read the rest of the series in When You Are At Your Best, What Are You Doing? and What Will Be Different This Time?

November 8, 2022
Should You Switch Industries in an Economic Downturn?
Lisa Thompson, LPC, PCC – VP & Professional Career Coach, Pearson Partners International

One of the questions you may be asking yourself is whether you should switch your industry or role in this time when many industries and companies are suffering due to the COVID-19 economic downturn. With record-high unemployment, those in a career transition may be wondering what else they can do. As executive recruiters, we are often asked how people can make a switch into a different industry or role. Obviously, the easiest and fastest career move is to look within the industries where you have experience and roles where you have proven yourself. However, if you are not progressing in your current field or the opportunities are limited, you may find that it’s time for a switch in order to get your career going in the right direction.

“Understanding your strengths and demonstrating that you can do the job and bring value to a new role or industry will help prepare you to pursue a change of industries and land the job that is right for you.”

Here are five tips to help you get started:
1. 1. Assess your skills. First, take a realistic assessment of your transferable experience and skills. The most successful career change in an economic downturn usually involves staying in the same function but transferring skills to a different industry. Be prepared to accommodate a potentially longer job search.
  2. Narrow your focus. Next, focus on targeting two to three industries at most. Do your research through industry trade publications and business news resources. Talk with people currently in the industry to familiarize yourself with:
- - Current challenges and opportunities
    
    Key players, prospects and culture
    
    Current news and issues impacting the industry
    
    Industry terms, language and buzzwords
    
    The projected growth of the industry
1. 1. Define your value. Once you figure out what you are going after and why, the next step is to figure out the unique value that you offer in the marketplace. Get a thorough understanding of what your existing industry experience has in common with the targeted industry. Use the language of the new industry to reinforce the relevance of your career accomplishments. Translate your functional expertise into terms that will be meaningful to those in the new industry, with particular emphasis on quantifiable accomplishments and achievements using dollar amounts, percentages and other figures. You may be asked about your differentiators for positioning and what makes you uniquely qualified over other candidates with the industry background. Industry changers frequently bring the advantage of a fresh perspective and can use their experience to find innovative solutions. Other examples of experience that can make you stand out include:
- - Transformation experience
    
    Merger and/or acquisition experience
    
    Public offering experience
    
    Successful sales record
    
    Sought-after contacts and connections
    
    “Best-of-Breed” in a highly recognized organization, regardless of industry
    
    Education, training or special certifications
1. 1. Build your network. To help make an industry switch, you must focus on building a network in the targeted industries. Networking is the most effective way to build a bridge into a new industry. Companies are more willing to take risks on someone referred to them by individuals who can attest to the candidate’s abilities and potential. In the case of switching industries, search firms are usually not the best source, since their clients pay them to identify individuals whose skills and experience exactly match their requirements.
  2. Launch your marketing strategy. Build your brand with a clear message on what you have to offer based on your experience and transferrable skills. Develop your marketing strategy and strategically target connections and opportunities in the industry. Consider doing some related consulting work to prove that your skills are transferable and to make sure you want to work in the industry. Focus on small and mid-sized companies that typically do not have the bench strength to fill key roles and are typically open to someone with a wide range of skills and backgrounds.
Final hiring decisions are made based on the candidates that are most convincing that they will produce results and/or bring in a viable solution. Understanding your strengths and demonstrating that you can do the job and bring value to a new role or industry will help prepare you to pursue a change of industries and land the job that is right for you.
April 7, 2020
Tips for a Successful Job Search During a Pandemic
Lisa Thompson, Vice President & Professional Career Coach, Pearson Partners International

During the current COVID-19 crisis, it can be discouraging to see the rising unemployment figures and to know that it will likely continue to grow. You might be wondering: Should I put my job search on hold and give up on finding a new opportunity for the immediate future? If not, what can I do to ensure I stay top-of-mind for employers and ready to seize the next opportunity?

“Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.”
Winston Churchill

Now is the time to stay focused on your goals and redouble your job search efforts. Even during the most difficult times, companies continue to hire for critical positions. Those that are not doing so now will certainly need to ramp up hiring when they come out of their current holding pattern. The positions are there for those who have leadership skills and the courage to confront market challenges. If you are seeking a new opportunity, here are six tips on how to keep things moving forward in your career advancement.
1. Build your network. Now is the time to be leveraging and expanding your professional network. Reach out to your network and let them know about your skills and where you can add value. While so many are working remotely and not traveling, it is a good time to reestablish relationships and to find out what is happening in their companies and industries. It is still true that many jobs are filled through networking connections, especially in the more senior roles. Make time to leverage social media networking opportunities to stay connected and to learn about potential job openings and leads.
2. Be prepared. Get your resume and LinkedIn profile up-to-date and ready to go. Review your skills and experience and make sure you are highlighting your accomplishments. A good resume can play a strong supporting and defining role in your search by setting you apart from other executives and helping to communicate your skills, abilities, personal qualities and accomplishments to prospective employers. Your resume serves as an effective sales brochure to highlight your strengths and the contributions you can make to an organization. Recruiters and employers alike use LinkedIn to find candidates and to learn more about them. Take the time to update your resume and LinkedIn profile so they are consistent and representative of your expertise. Be sure to update your headshot so that it looks recent and professional.
3. Practice for virtual interviews. In the age of “social distancing”, your interviews will more than likely be virtual. Prepare for phone and/or video interviews by practicing. Practice your answers in a mirror or on camera. Set up and learn to use the technology ahead of the interview. For video interviews, download the necessary programs and make sure the camera position, lighting and volume is correct. Be sure to remove anything distracting in the background. Find a quiet and comfortable place where you will not be interrupted. Read through the job description and do your research on the company, industry and interviewer(s) and develop questions to practice answering. (Here is a list of practice interview questions to get you started.) Prepare a list of talking points and questions you want to make sure you cover and keep it where you can reference it during the interview. Don’t forget to dress as if you were going for the interview in person. It will demonstrate your professionalism and seriousness about the opportunity.
4. Be patient. Many positions have been put on hold or delayed, so be patient. Companies are still hiring in many industries, and in others, the delay will be temporary. If it is taking a while to hear back from a recruiter or employer, it is okay to check in periodically on the status of your candidacy, but don’t be discouraged if you haven’t heard anything in a while. Try to keep in mind that they are dealing with many unknowns regarding timing and they may not have an immediate answer.
5. Improve yourself. This is a great time to work on developing your professional skills. You can increase your value in the job market by taking related courses, participating in training and earning professional credits or certifications. E-learning offers unlimited opportunities to pursue educational goals that will help enhance your prospects. If you are in a gap between jobs, potential employers will respect that you have used this time for personal and professional development.
6. Care for yourself. Above all, remember to be kind to yourself and practice self-care. Be sure you are planning time in your schedule to exercise, eat right and relax. It is a stressful time for everyone—even more so if you are worried about finding a job. Take the time to care for yourself and to get the support you need to be successful in your efforts.
We are resilient and we remain a country full of opportunity for those willing to work hard to achieve their dreams. We have survived wars, depression, recessions and tragedies and we will survive this. Now is not the time to go silent and to let uncertainty dampen your ambition. Be ready for when this is behind us and companies will be scrambling to find top talent. In the words of Winston Churchill, “Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.”
April 2, 2020
Management by Wandering Around: It’s Good for You and Your Team

Back in the 1980s, management consultant and best-selling business author Tom Peters wrote about the practice of “management by wandering around” (MBWA, also called management by walking around), a trait that helped Bill Hewlett and David Packard build HP into a leader in the computer industry. Apple’s Steve Jobs was another believer in the importance of getting out of the office and talking with employees at all levels of the organization.

Today, it can be harder for senior executives to get up from their desks and stroll into the production area—especially when guiding remote workers and teams in different time zones around the world.

But sitting too long in front of your screen can be not only hazardous to your managements style, it can also be detrimental to your health and well-being. A Mayo Clinic expert, Edward R. Laskowski, M.D., says in a recent article that the risks include putting on extra weight, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. In fact, according to Laskowski, an analysis of 13 studies found that people who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks posed by obesity and smoking.

Fortunately, even an hour of moderately intense physical activity a day can counter that inactivity. Other ways to counter the negative impact of a sedentary managerial workstyle include getting up from your chair and walking around your office while on a conference call, either on speaker or better yet, a wireless headset. You could use a standing desk for an hour or more each day or put your computer over a treadmill so you can alternate periods of mental concentration with some physical activity.

Another option is “active sitting,” using special chairs, stools and balance balls that improve health by using your body’s natural ability to balance. “The way you sit has a huge effect on brain activity,” says ergonomics expert Scott Bahneman. “It can change anything from your mood and hormones to memory and cognition.” After working at a desk job for years and experiencing a decline in health, Bahneman began researching how to combat “sitting disease” and found that active sitting can improve memory and cognition by requiring your brain to synchronize mental functions and physical movements.

There are many other ways to add some physical activity to your workday, from taking the stairs instead of the elevator to taking a gym break or a lunch-hour jog through the neighborhood. If you’re the enviable “employee of the month” that gets the parking spot right next to the door, consider parking at the far end of the lot two or three times a week. You could also schedule your next meeting for a hallway or outdoor area, rather than the conference room, and discuss the topic on your feet instead of in your chairs.

Of course, the practice of management by walking around is as valid today as it was decades ago. But as effective as it is in helping you to be a better manager, it’s even better for your health and fitness. So get on your feet and start moving if you want to maintain your personal well-being and be an effective leader in your organization.

May 14, 2019
Tips from the Leadership Coach: Invest in Your Management Skills
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Skilled managers provide the bedrock for organizational performance. They can shape the culture, improve productivity and drive creativity and innovation. But fewer training dollars are typically earmarked for managers than for people at other levels.

David Deacon, whose career in human resources leadership has included executive positions at Credit Suisse, MasterCard and Capita, believes there are key steps managers can take to boost their careers and have a greater impact on the organization. “What makes a great manager has far more to do with your attitude than anything else,” said Deacon, author of “The Self-Determined Manager: A Manifesto for Exceptional People Managers.”

Deacon focuses on the importance of attitude and intention, the cornerstone of becoming a self-determined manager—one who creates environments where people thrive and produce great work. “Bad managers are so focused on their own needs or their own fears or their own performance that they lose sight of the negative, unproductive, demotivating or destructive environment they are creating,” he said. “On the other hand, the best managers intentionally choose the environment they hope to create.”

Here are nine suggestions from Deacon’s book to boost your management skills:
1. Recognize the power of amplification. Every pronouncement you make may be repeated many times by your direct reports, and the expectations you set will be reflected in the work of your team. Make sure that you remain aware of how anything you are “putting out there” is being received and interpreted.
2. Set your own high standards. You should be the one who defines professionalism and sets benchmarks—and when you do this, you will be recognized as a role model for others.
3. Be willing to ask for help. If you need training in a certain area, put in a request. Be proactive about developing the communication and leadership skills that will help you create the best environment possible for your team.
4. Treat employees like adults. Great managers don’t bully, shout, patronize, belittle, name-call, behave aggressively or condescend. To generate trust and respect, you must create an environment where adults can do great things.
5. Don’t play favorites. Be aware of your personal preferences but be sure pay attention to everyone on your team. That keeps the focus on performance rather than favoritism.
6. Demand more. Ask yourself and your team: What can we do better? The best managers have an instinct for continuous improvement and want to see changes made sooner rather than later.
7. Manage your own energy. Self-determined managers know that maintaining their energy and enthusiasm is their own responsibility. Pay attention to your energy levels and develop habits that help you sustain them. “Remember, one of the most powerful outcomes of maintaining your energy is how it enables you to be positive,” says Deacon. “If you feel good, you will show it and transmit it!”
8. Keep learning. Take a class, master a new skill, even take up a new hobby outside work. The best managers enjoy seeking knowledge beyond their professional work that reflects their interests, passions and pastimes.
9. Don’t expect perfection, but keep working toward it. Even in a crisis, stay focused, catch people doing things right, articulate goals clearly and find meaning and purpose to transmit to your people.
As Deacon says, “Decide right now that you not only deserve to become the best manager you can possibly be, but that you are capable of reaching this achievement on your own. Once you do this, you’ll be unstoppable.”
April 10, 2019
A March Madness Story for the Ages: Five Lessons for Business Leaders
In last year’s “March Madness” NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the University of Virginia team made history, becoming the first No. 1 seed in the tournament to lose to a No. 16 seed, in a resounding defeat at the hand of the University of Maryland–Baltimore County (UMBC). But one year after that crushing defeat, the Virginia Cavaliers bounced back to win the national championship on April 8 with an 85–77 overtime win over Texas Tech.

“We have a saying, ‘the most faithful win,’ and these guys stayed so faithful,” said Virginia head coach Tony Bennett in a post-game interview. “This is about the young men. They deserve this championship.”

It’s a remarkable story with some important lessons for corporate executives about winning and losing. Here are five tips to lead like a champion:
1. Hard Work and Perseverance Pay Off
It’s clear that hard work and perseverance—combined with a little luck—can go a long way toward achieving a successful outcome. Even after achieving the No. 1 ranking in the regular season, Virginia’s players had to dig deeply into their physical and mental reserves in order to prevail. In fact, they were trailing in three of the tournament games until the final seconds.
1. Teamwork is the Key to Success
Another lesson is the importance of teamwork: making sure everyone involved in a project or assignment “touches the ball” and has an opportunity to make a contribution. Unlike several other NCAA teams, Virginia did not have a superstar who dominated the tournament. Instead, their players focused on passing the ball, being patient and waiting for their best shot.
1. Focus on What You Can Control
For corporate executives, the Virginia story is also a reminder to pay attention to the factors you can control, rather than continually worrying about the outcome. You can do everything right when executing a corporate strategy, but failure is still a possibility, along with success.
1. Be Gracious in Victory and Defeat
Being gracious in both victory and defeat is an important lesson in the business world. After the big game, Texas Tech’s players and coaches paid tribute to the Cavaliers rather than lashing out in anger. In turn, Virginia was very respectful of the Red Raiders, who were also competing for the national championship for the first time.
1. Learn from Your Mistakes
There is one more motivating factor that likely helped Virginia erase the sting of last year’s defeat and put them on the right path to victory in 2019. Last fall, coach Bennett told his team not to be afraid to tell the story of their loss to UMBC. As Cavaliers guard De’Andre Hunter said, “We embraced it. We didn’t run away from it. We just did what we had to do.”

These are lessons that apply just as well in the corporate world. In business, like in the March Madness championship, the winners are the ones that persevere, expect and plan for surprises and lead with grace in both defeats and victories.
April 9, 2019
Landing a Coveted Board Seat: CIO Insight from Renee Arrington

Pearson Partners SVP and CIO practice leader Renee Arrington was recently interviewed by HMG Strategy about how CIOs and other senior-level IT executives can pursue a corporate board seat. Renee is a frequent speaker at HMG Strategy’s CIO Executive Leadership Summits, an industry-leading series of events across the U.S. that focus on critical trends shaping the agenda for today’s technology executives.

As a growing number of CIOs express interest in landing a seat with a corporate board of directors, public boards are also looking to strengthen their technical knowledge. According to a recent study conducted by Deloitte, the percentage of public companies that have appointed technology-focused board members has swelled over the past six years from 10 percent to 17 percent. That figure nearly doubles (32 percent) for companies that outperformed the S&P 500 by 10 percent or more over the past three years.

HMG Strategy recently sat down with Renee Arrington, Pearson Partners CIO practice leader, to discuss steps that interested CIOs can take to prepare for and secure a desirable board position.

HMG: What are some initial steps that CIOs can take to groom themselves for a board position?

Renee Arrington: If your goal is to serve on a corporate board of directors…

Continued on the HMG Strategy website.

August 25, 2017