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How To Succeed A Founder?
Founder succession isn't just a CEO search, it's an identity crisis for both the founder and the entire organization.

Marion Heil
28. Jan.10 Min. Lesezeit


The Calls That Tell Us a Company Is in Trouble
When our phones start ringing with "just checking in" calls from the same company, we know the culture is breaking – and the real damage goes far beyond the talent exodus.

Marion Heil
26. Jan.7 Min. Lesezeit


The First 100 Days Myth: Why Thinking Bigger Helps You Start Better
The 100-day obsession is mostly wrong, as it pressures new CEOs into superficial wins and hasty decisions. To build the foundation for sustained success, think 6-12-18 months.

Marion Heil
26. Jan.9 Min. Lesezeit


The Top Dog Trap: Why Trying to Be Tough Backfires
New CEOs often think the problem is they aren't being tough enough. So they overcompensate - and destroy their effectiveness trying to lead through fear.

Marion Heil
5. Dez. 20257 Min. Lesezeit


Two-Tier Boards: Stability or Straitjacket?
Comparing one-tier and two-tier governance isn't about choosing between systems - it's about understanding what makes boards effective and modernizing governance accordingly.

Marion Heil
5. Dez. 20259 Min. Lesezeit


So You've Decided to Build Internal Executive Search - Now What?
Building successful internal executive search requires experienced professionals, proper positioning, and realistic expectations about what internal teams can and can't deliver.

Marion Heil
28. Nov. 20255 Min. Lesezeit


First Impressions Are Final
The leadership brand you establish in your first 90 days as CEO becomes your permanent reputation, and changing it later is incredibly hard.

Marion Heil
28. Nov. 20257 Min. Lesezeit


Critical Traps for First-Time CEOs
The transition to your first CEO role isn't a promotion - it's learning a completely different job, and here are some traps that derail even the most talented functional leaders.

Marion Heil
19. Nov. 202518 Min. Lesezeit


It's lonely at the top: What it's like to be CEO
CEO loneliness isn't something you solve - it's something you learn to manage before it becomes debilitating.

Marion Heil
13. Nov. 20259 Min. Lesezeit


Critical Traps Even Experienced CEOs Shouldn’t Fall Into
Taking on a new CEO mandate is peppered with potential traps - even for those who've done it before.

Marion Heil
11. Nov. 202512 Min. Lesezeit


"Nobody is telling me the truth any more"
The moment you become CEO, people stop telling you the whole truth. Not because they're dishonest, but because power changes every conversation, and you need to work actively to get better information.

Marion Heil
6. Nov. 20259 Min. Lesezeit


From CFO to CEO
Being a great CFO doesn't automatically make you a great CEO – the transition demands a complete rewiring of how you think about leadership.

Marion Heil
4. Nov. 202510 Min. Lesezeit


When Puss in Boots Outperforms the Ogre: When You Might Be Better Off With A Boutique
For most senior searches below the Fortune Top 500 tier, boutique firms deliver superior outcomes through partner-level attention, local expertise, and genuine partnership that global firms cannot match.

Marion Heil
13. Okt. 20258 Min. Lesezeit


When You Need A Shrek: Recognizing When Global Search Giants Make Sense
Global search giants remain the optimal choice for highly complex and fully global Fortune 500 CEO appointments.

Marion Heil
13. Okt. 20255 Min. Lesezeit


Should You Build An In-House Executive Search Function?
The best top talent acquisition approach - internal, external, or hybrid - depends on your company's unique situation, not universal best practices.

Marion Heil
2. Okt. 20258 Min. Lesezeit


Beyond Traditional Leaders: Current Industry Challenges Across DACH
A sector-by-sector analysis of how transformation is reshaping leadership needs in DACH. From automotive to energy to retail, organizations now seek executives who can integrate complexity rather than optimize individual functions.

Marion Heil
18. Sept. 202510 Min. Lesezeit


The DACH Executive Talent Market: Market Intelligence and Perspective
Some market intelligence on what is currently going on in the DACH executive recruitment market. Despite the current cautious executive market in DACH we see significant shifts in what organizations are looking for in their leaders.

Marion Heil
17. Sept. 20259 Min. Lesezeit


Follow-Up on "Due Diligence Works Both Ways"
Anwering to debate on article and showing how authenticity and honesty about challenges can be a real selling argument for the role, too.

Marion Heil
14. Sept. 20252 Min. Lesezeit


Planning Leadership Transitions in Family Businesses: Getting It Right
Family business succession succeeds when families start planning early, communicate openly, and balance family aspirations with professional business requirements.

Marion Heil
9. Sept. 20253 Min. Lesezeit


For Boards: How To Avoid Dangerous Succession Planning Mistakes
Boards are creating bigger risks by defaulting to "safe" promotions instead of strategic succession planning.

Marion Heil
25. Aug. 20253 Min. Lesezeit
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