---
title: The Executive Brief Blog (3)
description: (3)
---

[![kystone](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/Keystone%20Executive%20Search%20/Keystone_exec_search_logo@2x.svg)](http://www.keystonesearch.com/)

# The Executive Brief

[![3 Key Factors for Avoiding Surprises in a New Role](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_back_view_of_businessman_with_suitcase_looking_at_city.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/avoiding-surprises-in-a-new-role-3-key-factors)

## [3 Key Factors for Avoiding Surprises in a New Role](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/avoiding-surprises-in-a-new-role-3-key-factors)

Have you ever accepted a new position with an uneasy feeling about the company or culture you were entering? During the interview process, everything looked good on the surface - but you can't shake the feeling you hadn't gotten the full story.

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/avoiding-surprises-in-a-new-role-3-key-factors)

[Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring)

[![Giving Human Resources a Seat at the Table](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_business_people_group_on_meeting_at_modern_bright_office_indoors_senior__businessman_as_leader_in_discussion.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/giving-human-resources-a-seat-at-the-table)

## [Giving Human Resources a Seat at the Table](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/giving-human-resources-a-seat-at-the-table)

As a retained executive recruiter in Minneapolis, I have had the great fortune to work with a number of companies [hiring their first *strategic* human resources leader](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/retained-vs.-contingent-decoding-the-world-of-executive-search). Surprisingly, these companies have not been start-ups or small companies - all were long standing, reputable companies with over ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/giving-human-resources-a-seat-at-the-table)

[Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-search) [Strategy](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/strategy) [Human Resources](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/human-resources)

[![Egos and ESOPs - Like Oil and Water](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_business_people_group_on_meeting_and_presentation__in_bright_modern_office_with_construction_engineer_architect_and_worker_looking_building_model_and_blueprint_planbleprint_plans.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/egos-and-esops-like-oil-and-water)

## [Egos and ESOPs - Like Oil and Water](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/egos-and-esops-like-oil-and-water)

During our many years of [recruiting senior level talent for employee-owned companies](http://www.keystonesearch.com/esop), KeyStone Search has discovered [a number of characteristics that a leader must possess to be successful in an ESOP](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/get-your-esop-search-pack). We've also found a few key things that simply **do not** work. Perhaps the most significant red flag ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/egos-and-esops-like-oil-and-water)

[Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [Evaluation](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-search)

[![The Biggest Hiring Mistake a Visionary Can Make](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_double_exposure_of_businessman_hand_working_with_new_modern_computer_and_business_strategy_as_concept.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-biggest-hiring-mistake-a-visionary-can-make)

## [The Biggest Hiring Mistake a Visionary Can Make](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-biggest-hiring-mistake-a-visionary-can-make)

Since [*Rocket Fuel*](https://www.rocketfuelnow.com/) was released in April 2015, I have been asked numerous times what mistakes are made most often when hiring an Integrator. Without hesitation, I answer:

**The biggest mistake a Visionary can make with an Integrator role is *underhiring.***

## Getting the Necessary Horsepower

Let's use a ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-biggest-hiring-mistake-a-visionary-can-make)

[Visionary](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary) [EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Integrator](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator) [Mental Horsepower](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/mental-horsepower)

[![Sales Problem? Or Strategic Problem?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_businessman_hand_working_with_new_modern_computer_and_business_strategy_as_concept.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/sales-problem-or-strategic-problem)

## [Sales Problem? Or Strategic Problem?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/sales-problem-or-strategic-problem)

At KeyStone Search, we have the privilege to partner with great mid-sized companies with long histories of growth and success. Frequently we are introduced to these companies when they have gotten stuck - the company's growth has stalled, and they consult us to find a new Vice President of Sales to ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/sales-problem-or-strategic-problem)

[Evaluation](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [Private Companies](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies) [Strategy](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/strategy)

[![Don't Leave Your Executive Hire to Chance](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_casino_roulette_close_up_with_the_ball_on_number_zero.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/dont-diy-your-executive-hire)

## [Don't Leave Your Executive Hire to Chance](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/dont-diy-your-executive-hire)

We've discussed [time](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-war-for-leadership) and [time again](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/are-you-a-talent-have-or-have-not) the increasing difficulty of making great hires in private companies. In a booming economy with a low unemployment rate, private companies have a difficult time attracting top talent to their companies: this is especially an issue when it comes to executive level ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/dont-diy-your-executive-hire)

[Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [Evaluation](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [Retained Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/retained-executive-search)

[![Inspire, Respect & Reward: Lessons from Jack Wiley](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_businessman_shaking_hands_with_a_colleague_in_the_office-1.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/inspire-respect-reward)

## [Inspire, Respect & Reward: Lessons from Jack Wiley](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/inspire-respect-reward)

I recently attended a presentation given by [Jack Wiley](http://www.jackwiley.com/home.html), a renowned consultant who has built a career writing, teaching and researching what employees want most and what factors best promote employee engagement, performance confidence and business success.

Jack presented findings from his book *[ ...](https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Employee-Surveys-Evidence-based-Organizational/dp/0470889705/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400179331&sr=1-1&keywords=Strategic+Employee+Surveys%3A+Evidence-based+guidelines+for+driving+organizational+success)*

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/inspire-respect-reward)

[Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [Private Companies](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies)

[![Consistent Communication: An Essential Quality of an ESOP Leader](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/Engineer%20with%20mechanical%20worker%20checking%20on%20production.jpeg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/consistent-communication-an-essential-quality-of-an-esop-leader)

## [Consistent Communication: An Essential Quality of an ESOP Leader](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/consistent-communication-an-essential-quality-of-an-esop-leader)

KeyStone Search has had the incredible opportunity to work with numerous ESOP companies through leadership succession and transitions. Employee owned companies are some of my favorite clients because they really *get it* when it comes to the importance of cultural fit and alignment. And while ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/consistent-communication-an-essential-quality-of-an-esop-leader)

[Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [Culture](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) [ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop)

[![Why Retained Search is like a Beautiful, Buttery Leather Sofa](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_pexels-photo-279645.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/why-retained-search-is-like-a-customized-piece-of-furniture)

## [Why Retained Search is like a Beautiful, Buttery Leather Sofa](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/why-retained-search-is-like-a-customized-piece-of-furniture)

Retained executive search often seems to scare business owners - or perhaps it just confuses them. They wonder: if other recruiters only charge me if/when I hire one of their candidates, why would I ever pay a recruiting firm a retainer fee?

This is a great question. Let me answer it by making an ...

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/why-retained-search-is-like-a-customized-piece-of-furniture)

[Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-search) [Private Companies](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies) [Retained Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/retained-executive-search)

[![Retained vs. Contingent: Decoding the World of Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/rsz_lupanaencyklopedii.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/retained-vs.-contingent-decoding-the-world-of-executive-search)

## [Retained vs. Contingent: Decoding the World of Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/retained-vs.-contingent-decoding-the-world-of-executive-search)

At some point in its history, the executive search industry made a (perhaps not so) brilliant decision to categorize firms by their fee structures; Retained vs. Contingent.

[Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/retained-vs.-contingent-decoding-the-world-of-executive-search)

[Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-search) [Retained Executive Search](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/retained-executive-search)

[Previous](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/page/2) [All posts](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/all) [Next](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/page/4)

### How aligned are you?

[![Is Your Leadership Team Aligned on Your Core Vlaues?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/General%20Content%20Assets/Core%20Values%20Assessment/KS_Sidebar_CTA_Core_Values_Assessment@2x.png?width=758&height=750&name=KS_Sidebar_CTA_Core_Values_Assessment@2x.png)](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/core-values-assessment)

[Take our Core Values Assessment](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/core-values-assessment) so you can create a great culture and acquire the right talent.

### Recent Posts

[![Culture Still Matters](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/culture.jpg)

### Culture Still Matters

January 31, 2023

](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters)

[![The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/purple_squirrel.jpg)

### The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators

January 10, 2023

](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators)

[![Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/building-a-strong-team-wooden-blocks-with-people-icon-on-pink-human-picture-id1227412970.jpg)

### Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO

October 21, 2020

](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo-2)

### Categories

- [Culture (18)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture)
- [ESOP (15)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop)
- [Executive Leadership (15)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership)
- [EOS (14)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos)
- [Integrator (13)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator)
- [Visionary (13)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary)
- [Hiring (11)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring)
- [Leadership (10)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership)
- [Executive Search (9)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-search)
- [Private Companies (7)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies)
- [Evaluation (6)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation)
- [Retained Executive Search (6)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/retained-executive-search)
- [Core Values (4)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/core-values)
- [Board of Directors (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/board-of-directors)
- [CEO Transition (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-transition)
- [Executive Recruiting (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-recruiting)
- [Keystone Updates (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/keystone-updates)
- [Strategy (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/strategy)
- [CEO Succession (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-succession)
- [Communication (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/communication)
- [Human Resources (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/human-resources)
- [Mental Horsepower (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/mental-horsepower)
- [Succession (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/succession)

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