--- title: The Executive Brief Blog | Mike Frommelt (2) description: Mike co-founded KeyStone Search and has over 25 years of experience in the search industry. He has conducted hundreds of senior level assignments for private, EOS® and ESOP companies. (2) --- [![kystone](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/Keystone%20Executive%20Search%20/Keystone_exec_search_logo@2x.svg)](http://www.keystonesearch.com/) # The Executive Brief ## Keystone Search ![](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/mike_frommelt@2x.jpg) Mike co-founded KeyStone Search and has over 25 years of experience in the search industry. He has conducted hundreds of senior level assignments for private, EOS® and ESOP companies. Find me on: ### Recent Posts [![ESOP Culture: Unique Leadership Qualities Required (Part 1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/shutterstock_770245405.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/esop-leadership-qualities) ## [ESOP Culture: Unique Leadership Qualities Required (Part 1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/esop-leadership-qualities) We’re fortunate to have worked with many ESOPs over the years, assisting them in hiring CEOs and other senior level leaders. Through this work we’ve come to appreciate just how unique ESOPs are and how different from other types of ownership structures.  [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/esop-leadership-qualities) [Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [Hiring](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) [![ESOP Culture: Can there be too much of a good thing?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/ESOP%20Culture_%20Can%20there%20be%20too%20much%20of%20a%20good%20thing1.png) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/esop-culture-too-much-of-a-good-thing) ## [ESOP Culture: Can there be too much of a good thing?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/esop-culture-too-much-of-a-good-thing) The great majority of ESOPs I’ve encountered are pretty special places, employee focused cultures filled with hard working, collaborative and loyal employee-owners. In most cases, these strong cultures result in performance that beats the competition, and creates growth for the benefit of all in ... [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/esop-culture-too-much-of-a-good-thing) [Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [ESOP](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) [![2019 Conference for Companies Running on EOS® Recap](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/2019%20EOS%20Conference.jpg) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/2019-eos-conference-recap) ## [2019 Conference for Companies Running on EOS® Recap](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/2019-eos-conference-recap) What an amazing [conference this year in Atlanta](http://www.tractionclientconference.com) for companies running on EOS®! The passion and enthusiasm was palpable, from the opening address through the closing remarks. And, the topics/speakers in between were outstanding. [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/2019-eos-conference-recap) [Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) [EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) [Keystone Updates](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/keystone-updates) [![Out Over Your Skis: When your company outgrows its executive leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/When%20your%20company%20outgrows%20its%20executive%20leadership.png) ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/company-outgrows-its-executive-leadership) ## [Out Over Your Skis: When your company outgrows its executive leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/company-outgrows-its-executive-leadership) In ski jumping, it’s not good to get too far over your skis as you fly down the hill. If you do, its very likely you will crash, or at best have a clumsy landing. In my 20 + years of working with privately held companies, I’ve noticed something very interesting with entrepreneur (Visionary) led ... [Read More](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/company-outgrows-its-executive-leadership) [Executive Leadership](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) [![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) [![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) [Previous](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/author/mike-frommelt/page/1) [All posts](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/all) [Next](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/author/mike-frommelt/page/3) ### 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) ### Sign up for updates from KeyStone Search ### Our Mission We help private companies reach the next level of success by securing executive leaders aligned with their vision, goals and values. ### Follow Us [**](https://twitter.com/KeyStone_Search) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-search) ### Navigation ### Search The Site Search ### Contact 143 Oakwood Rd. 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