Cowen Partners Executive Search

A technology industry veteran, Jennifer Byrne has held leadership positions at some of the world’s largest tech companies – Microsoft,McAfee and Symantec among them. But she acknowledges her biggest professional challenge has been building that career in technology without actually having much training in it. “I’ve had to be really disciplined about acquiring and keeping technical knowledge throughout my career,” said Byrne, today the chief product and technology officer for LiveHire (ASX:LVH), an Australian company whose talent management and acquisition software allows job candidates to engage with recruiters and hiring managers. The Cowen Partners Origin Series profiles executives from across the globe who are changing the face of business. Read along to hear their stories. https://lnkd.in/gPJKHXHe

“Hiring people is an art, not a science, and resumes can’t tell you whether someone will fit into a company’s culture.” – Howard Schultz, Chairman & CEO of Starbucks

At Cowen Partners, we stand at the forefront of the executive search industry, empowering companies to thrive and excel in their growth, revenue, and market presence. We specialize in identifying exceptional leaders and placing them in key positions to drive success. Our team of seasoned executive recruiters collaborates with organizations of all sizes, encompassing both public and private enterprises, pre-IPO ventures, and non-profit entities. Through a meticulous and discerning approach, we unite handpicked candidates, with companies in pursuit of the most exceptional executive talent, representing the top 1%. With the support of our experienced senior partners, we execute a diligent and efficient executive search process, ensuring leadership placements within a remarkable six-week timeframe.

The past three years have been rocky, to say the least. Macroeconomic shocks affected by a global pandemic, large-scale riots and protests, and Russia’s war in Ukraine, have changed expectations for the role of a CEO.  Other factors, such as the shift to remote work, the reopening of offices, and a mass wave of resignations (known as the Great Resignation), have caused additional friction for executives nationwide. The United States deftly navigated through rising inflation and increasing interest rates over the past year. Cracks in the banking system were exposed as several well-known financial institutions collapsed after classic bank runs.  New technology, known as generative AI, can potentially upend the internet as we know it and cause widespread shifts in the job market. Where does this leave CEOs? CEOs have been the guiding pillars for their companies during the past three years, but many of them are nearing retirement age, and some are simply tired. Challenger, Gray, & Christmas, Inc. noted the highest CEO turnover on record during the first four months of 2022, as 518 CEOs left their organizations. CEO losses at major companies like DocuSign, Pinterest, Under Armour, and Bath & Body Works left organizations struggling to find viable replacements. Some companies are still searching for a new CEO months later, leaving their organizations in flux. https://lnkd.in/gP-j8-ZW

Finding a suitable hire for an executive role isn’t easy. You’ll need to consider various factors, like their previous leadership experience, technical prowess, and ability to work toward strategic objectives. And even if the interview flows smoothly and the candidate looks great on paper, there’s no real way to tell whether they’ll be the right fit for your company. However, one strong but perhaps surprising indicator of future success is prior athletic experience, particularly at the collegiate level. Here’s why. https://lnkd.in/gsYnTQ2H

Best 25 Interview Questions to Evaluate Company Culture Fit Cultural fit interview questions are all about finding candidates who will be a good fit for your company’s corporate culture. It’s important to remember that hiring for cultural fit is different from hiring for a skillset. You may want to consider this when designing interviews and deciding what questions to ask. A good hiring manager will ask candidates about their background, interests, and values. The goal is to determine whether the candidate will fit in with the company’s culture. In this guide, we will take a look at some best practices you can follow when crafting your cultural fit interview questions to help you streamline your process and find the best candidates for your organization. https://lnkd.in/gdRxNxeW

The Ethics of Personality Tests in the Hiring Process You’ve likely taken a personality test at some point in your life. Whether the test was part of a classroom assignment, taken with friends, or given during an employer’s hiring process, you probably learned a few things about yourself. Personality tests aim to give individuals insight into their behaviors and actions. For instance, you might learn that you score highly in introversion traits, meaning you prefer to be alone or in the company of a few very close friends or relatives. Other tests can provide information about your relationship strengths and similar characteristics. Employers typically use personality tests as an extension of the interview process. Test results help hiring managers determine whether a candidate will assimilate well within the workplace culture. However, personality tests may introduce bias into the hiring process. https://lnkd.in/gQW2ajNR

According to a survey by McKinsey, many CEOs feel that their boards could improve in effectively leveraging their wisdom. On average, CEOs rated their confidence in tapping into their board members' capabilities at 3.2 out of 5. This indicates that while some interaction is positive, there is significant room for improvement. Additionally, another report from PwC highlights that only 44% of CEOs felt that their board fully understood the intricacies of their business and its strategic priorities (PwC). This reflects a broader issue where CEOs and boards may not always be aligned, particularly on strategic and operational matters. These findings suggest a need for better communication and collaboration between CEOs and their boards to ensure that both parties are on the same page regarding business understanding and strategic direction. Improving this relationship could lead to more effective governance and better business outcomes. https://lnkd.in/gwqXXn6y

Attract leaders who inspire confidence and trust among investors, board members, and the market. Kim Bartelt Cowen Partners Executive Search Stop Hiring for Charisma: 5 Traits to Look for Instead You’re getting ready to hire a new executive leader, and you’re down to two candidates. Both are equally qualified, but one has charismatic magnetism like you’ve never seen before. The other does not. Which do you choose? If you’re like most hiring managers, you’d go for the charismatic one in a heartbeat. It’s easy to see why — people are generally drawn to confident, charming leaders. However, you might be surprised to hear that according to a host of experts, charisma isn’t the leadership indicator many believe it is. https://lnkd.in/gavppdpT

Elevate your company's performance with leaders who truly understand and share your strategic goals. When it’s time for a major leadership transition, your organization needs more than a standard recruiting firm. Instead, you need an executive search firm to aid your quest for the next C-level executive. https://lnkd.in/gnRd3ADp