You sourced the perfect CEO candidate. The interviews were outstanding. The PE sponsors were aligned. Everyone was ready to sign—and then the phone rings. “I’ve decided to stay. My current board made me a counteroffer I can’t refuse.” It’s the kind of moment that haunts even the most seasoned…
Category Archives: CEO Recruitment
Executive Search Challenges, CEO Recruitment, PE Recruitment Challenges
Maintaining Confidentiality: How to Conduct a CEO Replacement Without Destabilizing a Portfolio Company
29
Jul
Jul
In the world of private equity, leadership drives value—and when the CEO isn’t delivering, change becomes inevitable. But CEO transitions are among the most sensitive inflection points in a portfolio company’s lifecycle. Mishandled, they can leak to the market, shake internal confidence, and derail…
Executive Search Challenges, CEO Recruitment, PE Recruitment Challenges
How to Build a CEO Scorecard That Aligns with Your Investment Thesis and 100-Day Plan
29
Jul
Jul
A CEO’s success is measured not just by charisma or leadership style but by their ability to translate the investment thesis into results—quickly and predictably. That’s why defining success before a CEO even steps into the role is critical. The answer lies in designing private…
Executive Search Challenges, CEO Recruitment
How to Manage a Split Board of Directors During a Critical CEO Search
28
Jul
Jul
A CEO search is one of the most consequential decisions a board of directors will make—and when the board is divided, that decision becomes even more complex. Differences in strategic vision, leadership style preferences, or founder loyalties can turn a routine search into a battleground. At JRG…
Executive Search Challenges, CEO Recruitment
How to Assess a CEO’s Ability to Build and Lead a Fully Remote Culture
25
Jul
Jul
As the modern workforce embraces remote-first models, the stakes for selecting the right CEO have never been higher. Hiring a CEO for a distributed team environment isn’t just about strategic vision or operational experience—it’s about their ability to build, lead, and inspire a high-performance…
Executive Search Challenges, CEO Recruitment
Our New PE-Backed CEO Is Struggling to Execute the Value Creation Plan
25
Jul
Jul
In the world of private equity, every day counts. When a new PE-backed CEO steps in, expectations are sky-high—from operational turnarounds to accelerated revenue growth. There’s a value creation plan in place, and it’s not a suggestion—it’s the mandate. But what happens when the execution doesn’t…
For Employers, CEO Recruitment, executive recruiting, Executive Search Challenges
When to Replace a Founder CEO: A Guide for a New Private Equity Owner
24
Jul
Jul
Replacing a founder CEO is one of the most delicate and high-stakes decisions a private equity firm can make—one that can determine the success or failure of the investment. The founder is often the company’s visionary, culture-setter, and public face. But after a PE acquisition, the demands of value…
Executive Search Challenges, CEO Recruitment
Our Top CEO Candidate Accepted a Counteroffer at the Last Minute
24
Jul
Jul
You’ve spent weeks, maybe months, conducting a thorough CEO search. You’ve interviewed high-level candidates, vetted references, secured board buy-in—and finally, your top-choice CEO verbally accepts the offer. Relief sets in. Then comes the gut punch: “After careful consideration, I’ve decided…
Executive Search Challenges, CEO Recruitment
How to Handle a CEO Candidate Who Exaggerated Their Past Accomplishments
22
Jul
Jul
Every CEO candidate is a storyteller. That’s part of the role—framing a vision, rallying teams, and winning the confidence of stakeholders. Naturally, candidates will position their track record in the best possible light.
For Employers, CEO Recruitment
CEO Leadership Alignment: Avoiding Misalignment Between CEO and Senior Leadership
08
Jul
Jul
In high-performing organizations, success begins at the top. One of the most critical — yet often overlooked — factors in driving that success is CEO leadership alignment. When the CEO is aligned with the executive team, the company operates with greater clarity, consistency, and focus. Without this…