The most critical competitive advantage of any organization is its leadership. Hiring, promoting and developing the right senior executive team — and avoiding costly mistakes — have never been more important. But too often, companies make these tough decisions based on inadequate, incomplete and undependable information.
Our executive assessment services give boards, selection committees and CEOs the reliable insights they need to confidently select and groom the best available talent for key leadership roles. As a global leader in CEO and board services, we have longstanding relationships with and knowledge of the world’s top talent, and unmatched insight into the qualities necessary for exceptional leadership.
We complement this expertise with objective, research-backed methodologies that achieve double the accuracy of traditional executive assessment. Our approach combines competency-based interviews and rigorous referencing with our proprietary measurement of Executive Intelligence — the specific set of cognitive skills that enable superior executive performance.
Our methods reveal the true strengths and weaknesses of an executive, as well as the underlying drivers of their performance. This information sheds light on an individual’s suitability for a given role, and on how that executive could best be developed and deployed. As a result, we often act as a catalyst to help leaders enhance or rethink their talent strategy. The stages at which we most often assist organizations include:
- Succession planning and executive development
- CEO transition
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Strategic shifts or reorganization
- Final candidate selection
To learn more about our services, please contact one of our regional executive assessment leaders:
North and South America: Cathy Anterasian
Europe, South Africa, Middle East & India and Asia: Gerhard Resch-Fingerlos
You may also contact your relevant industry practice or your nearest Spencer Stuart office.
December 2010
We identify and explain the often-overlooked leadership traits that are fundamental to success, and the questions leaders can ask about individuals’ ability in these areas.
October 2008
Why are some executives better equipped to get at the heart of
important issues and effectively anticipate and manage challenges
that arise? What skills do these leaders possess? Management theories abound, but years of research and interviews with scores of
successful business executives show that the most effective leaders
possess the set of skills that defines Executive Intelligence.