How AI is Reshaping Executive Search (And Why Human Touch Still Matters)

How AI is Reshaping Executive Search (And Why Human Touch Still Matters)

I am fascinated by how AI is reshaping our industry. But not in the way many might think.

No, AI won't replace the nuanced work of executive search. Instead, it's making us better at spotting exceptional leaders who can tackle today's business challenges.

Here's what we are already seeing in our day-to-day work:

Freeing Up Time for What Really Counts

The real game-changer for me? AI is freeing us to focus on what really counts. By supporting and speeding up some time-consuming, repetitive parts of our work - e.g. initial research, screening, and market mapping - we get to spend more time on the vital parts of our work: really getting to know our clients' needs and diving deep into conversations with candidates about their leadership journey.

AI is freeing us to focus on what really counts.

A Fuller Picture of Leadership Potential

It's also changing how we spot leadership potential. We're now able to look way beyond the usual resume review, drawing insights from all sorts of public data about how candidates have handled change, built their teams, and driven real innovation. It paints a much fuller picture of what they can bring to the table.

Expanding the Talent Pool

And AI helps us look beyond the obvious candidates. Just recently, we found a brilliant Managing Director for a tech company by casting a wider net. The successful candidate came from a completely different industry but had the perfect mix of digital transformation experience and people leadership skills – a connection that might have been missed in a traditional search.

AI helps us look beyond the obvious candidates.

What Won't Change

But here's what won't change: you can't beat face-to-face conversations and gut instinct in this business. No computer will ever replace sitting across the table from a potential CEO over dinner, watching how they think on their feet, or seeing how a board candidate picks up on the subtle dynamics in a boardroom.

But here's what won't change: you can't beat face-to-face conversations and gut instinct in this business.

What gets me excited is how AI lets us double down on the human side of our work: really understanding what makes each company tick, having those crucial conversations about leadership vision, and making sure the chemistry is right.

The winners in executive search will be those who can combine AI's smart insights with the human touch that's always been key to finding great leaders.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

• Marion Heil is the founder and managing director of Board+CEO Advisors. She is based in Vienna.