Greetings!

If you are a CEO, CHRO, Chief Diversity Officer. VP/Head of Talent or other C-suite leader, I want to ask how you are helping your organization navigate this challenging climate & prepare for a more inclusive, more prosperous future?  As a Talent Strategist & People Architect with DHR Global - a Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firm – I’ve asked this question of current and future clients.

In my conversations with healthcare & life sciences executives, I’ve noticed that their goals & initiatives are to:

✅ Innovate quickly & ethically 
✅ Improve quality of care & patient outcomes 
✅ Eliminate health disparities
✅ Improve the patient experience
✅ Facilitate an efficient & profitable go to market (GTM) strategy & process (growth hacking)
✅ Hire, engage & retain a diverse workforce
✅ Strengthen governance

In my conversations I have discovered internal challenges such as: 

👎🏽 No talent acquisition &/or retention KPIs,
👎🏽 Overwhelmed Recruiters with little time to upskill
👎🏽 Non-existent / inconsistent sourcing, recruiting & onboarding processes
👎🏽 Old technology not able to meet current & emerging needs for applicant tracking (ATS/HCM/HRIS)
👎🏽 Insufficient talent market knowledge / data
👎🏽 Little time to focus on sourcing critical top talent to stabilize, scale & transform the organization
👎🏽 Even less time to be proactive & engage talent opportunistically in order to dominate the market
👎🏽 No time to develop a diversity strategy & execute to increase representation, equity & foster belonging

My commitment is to minimize your pain, maximize your joy & guide your organization to better outcomes:

👍🏽 No more failed assignments
👍🏽 No more excessively long vacancies
👍🏽 No more homogeneous candidate slates
👍🏽 No more communication breakdowns or lack of transparency
👍🏽 No more resenting placement fees because of low value partnerships or inflexible cost structures

My personalized approach to Executive Search and Talent Advisory is different.  I help my clients compete in a tight talent market to win the war for talent by leveraging an unparalleled industry network, using insightful market data, compelling positioning & magnetic messaging.

⭐ I also work with mature organizations that: 
⚕️ Have an urgent assignment
⚕️ Need a very niche role filled 
⚕️ Lack diverse candidate slates 
⚕️ Have an overloaded internal TA team

If you want a strategic partner who will make your organization smarter, faster & more agile, please email me at ahenderson@dhrglobal.com

Reach, Resourcefulness & Relationships - the DHR way.

Andrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR

My candidates didn't get the job and I've never been so grateful that I failed.

I submitted two intelligent, accomplished women for a Chief of Staff role working for a CEO of a major entertainment company. 

Both sailed through multiple rounds - interviews with the CFO, the former Chief of Staff, even the executive's mother.

But the process felt... off. 
➵ They were told to expect grueling hours and attend countless industry events. 
➵ Their personal style was scrutinized. 
➵ They fielded scenario-based questions about situations that seemed trivial, outrageous, and quite frankly, unlikely to ever occur. 

It got weird. 

Then came the request to fly from NY to LA for a final meeting. Before they could book flights, I got the call: neither was moving forward.

We were all disappointed. We said the usual "it wasn't meant to be" and moved on.

Years passed before the headlines announced the CEO’s arrest. The Chief of Staff who eventually got the role, was then in the news as an alleged enabler.

I immediately reached out to both candidates. We had a joint moment of relief - and profound gratitude.

My intention is to only work with ethical clients who value integrity as much as excellence.

So this experience taught me something I'll never forget:
↳ Sometimes the blessing is the door that slams shut. 
↳ Sometimes the win is the rejection. 
↳ Sometimes the greatest act of protection is not getting the job - or the assignment - you thought you wanted.

And as a recruiter …someone entrusted with people's livelihoods, reputations, and futures …I hold that truth close: 

Let's stop believing that any high-profile role is worth the cost. 

My work will always center around finding talent that can thrive in high-stakes environments, but I also have to ensure those environments don't destroy them.

To anyone searching for their next role, know this:
↳Not every opportunity is aligned.   
↳Not every 'yes' is safe.   
↳And sometimes the biggest success is what didn’t happen.

Exec Search Pro helping biotech, value-based care, digital health companies & hospitals hire transformational C-suite & Board leaders. Partner, Life Sciences, Healthcare, Diversity, Board Search | Board Member | Investor

Excited to announce I'll be attending the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in January! 🎯

This is always such a valuable opportunity to connect with industry leaders, explore innovations in healthcare, and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our field.

If you're attending and would like to connect, please send me a message to schedule a time to meet up. I'd love to catch up with familiar faces and make new connections!

Who’s going to JPM?👇🏽

#JPM2026 #JPMHealthcare #HealthcareInnovation #HealthTech #HealthcareLeadership #DigitalHealth

No alternative text description for this image

His parents locked him in a psychiatric hospital. Three times. Electroshock therapy. Medication. All because he wouldn't conform.

He walked the Camino de Santiago - 500 miles across Spain - and came back with both blisters and clarity.

Call it awakening. Call it courage. Call it remembering who you were before the world told you who to be.

He wrote about that just before he wrote The Alchemist;
Paulo Coelho's simple story about a shepherd boy chasing a dream. 

It’s a story about the treasure that's always closer than we think. About seeking everywhere in the distance only to find it was at home all along.

But before it sold 150 million copies and became one of the most translated books in history, it flopped. 

He refused to let it die. 
He refused to surrender what he believed in.
He knew what it meant to be misunderstood.
He knew what it meant to wander.
He knew what it meant to keep going when the world said stop.

I read The Alchemist at a time when I was searching for something I couldn't name.

The unconventional path. The wandering. The need to go far away only to realize the treasure was home all along…it didn't just resonate. It explained me.

I've lived that story. The detours that looked like failures. The rejections that felt like proof I was on the wrong path. The moments I almost gave up because nothing was going according to plan.

And then I became a recruiter.
Not in spite of the wandering. Because of it.

Through my candidates, I do the work all over again. I walk with the ones who've been rejected 47 times. The ones whose paths don't fit the template. The ones who are blistered and unsure but won't stop walking.

Through my clients, I'm constantly seeking the stars. The proven performers. The transformative talent everyone wants.

I am all of them.

The pilgrim. The shepherd. The best-seller. The one who wandered far only to find what I was looking for was in the journey itself.

I am the bridge between the seeking and the seekers.

Executive search isn't just my job. It's my pilgrimage.
It's how I keep walking.

If you're feeling off-path today, maybe this is your sign.
Keep walking.
Your legend isn't lost.

What "6-7" Teaches Us About Generational Diversity in the Workplace

You might have heard kids shouting "six seven!" lately. Dictionary.com just named it their 2025 Word of the Year.
(Is it even a word? 🤦🏽‍♀️)

And while it means absolutely nothing, here's the insight: it's Gen Z's version of "Who's on first?"

When adults ask what it means, young people give a unified response: It has no definition. 

The phrase, which is driving parents and teachers crazy, is absurdist humor for the digital age …just like Abbott and Costello's classic routine was for theirs.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐚𝐩 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠:
➵ Right now, we have five generations in the workplace. 
➵ Boomers remember when "Who's on first?" was cutting-edge comedy. 
➵ Gen Alpha thinks "six seven" is hilarious for the exact same reason …the joy of shared absurdity. 

Different reference points, same human need for connection and humor.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩:
This isn't "brain rot"
…it's a deliberate, gleeful effort by young people to remain unknowable in an era of relentless online observation. 

Each generation develops its own cultural codes shaped by its unique context. 

👥 Boomers and Gen X built careers before email. 

👩‍❤️‍👨 Millennials bridged the analog-digital divide. 

👽 Gen Z witnessed social media's dark side. 

🤳🏾Gen Alpha has never known privacy.

𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬:

✔️ Recognizing that a 22-year-old and a 62-year-old bring different lived experiences that both add value

✔️ Creating space for generational perspectives without stereotyping

✔️ Ensuring that "cultural fit" doesn’t just mean "people who grew up like I did"

✔️ Building mentorship that flows in multiple directions

💰 The companies thriving in 2030 won't be the ones that "understand" every generational trend. 

💰 They'll be the ones that recognize generational differences as a strategic advantage 
…where "𝑾𝒉𝒐’𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕?" and "𝒔𝒊𝒙 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏" can coexist, and both are valued.
__________________

So... are you being driven crazy by "six seven," or do you totally get it?

Being invisible is expensive, but you can't hack your way into a trusting relationship.

I've seen it in executive search for years: the professionals who land the BEST opportunities aren't just qualified.

They know how to show up AUTHENTICALLY and build real connections on LinkedIn and IRL.

From hidden to → VISIBLE
From generic to → MAGNETIC
From waiting to → ATTRACTING

The landscape has shifted:

↳ Recruiters are searching LinkedIn first (not job boards)
↳ Your voice matters MORE than ever
↳ Building a brand isn't vanity, it's STRATEGY

Here's what I see working in 2025-2026:
✓ Authenticity over perfection
✓ Consistency over virality
✓ Connection over self-promotion

That's why I'm excited to join Katheline Jean-Pierre MSc  TODAY for "The LinkedIn Tea" 🍵
We're spilling on:

↳ How to define YOUR unique voice and show up unapologetically
↳ What the LinkedIn algorithm actually prioritizes (and how to use it)
↳ How to build a brand that attracts recruiters, clients & collaborations
↳ Where the opportunities actually are in this new landscape

📍 Join us For Free 📍
TODAY at 12 PM PDT / 3 PM EST
https://lnkd.in/gtTAjTpZ

Whether you're actively job searching, building your practice, or ready to attract better opportunities…this session is for you.

*This webinar is sponsored by Graphy.
___________
👋 I'm Andrea Henderson, Executive Search Professional helping companies identify top talent and match them with opportunities that align with their career goals.

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐀𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞

One of my clients is doing something that should be standard practice but unfortunately isn't: they're compensating every candidate who completes their second-round strategic planning exercise.

They want to be clear …they're not looking for free labor! 

They want to understand how candidates think, approach complex problems, and communicate strategy. 

But they also recognize that asking someone to develop a thoughtful strategic plan is a significant investment of time, expertise, and intellectual energy.

So they pay for it. 

Every single person who completes the exercise gets compensated, regardless of whether or not they get the job.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞:

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲. 
Not everyone can afford to spend 5-10 hours on unpaid work exercises. Some candidates are juggling multiple interviews, others are working full-time, and many have caregiving responsibilities. Compensation levels the playing field.

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭. 
If the work requires professional-level thinking and produces something of value, it's work. 
And work deserves pay.

𝐈𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬. 
How you treat candidates tells them everything about how you'll treat employees. If you don't value their time during hiring, why would they believe you'll value it after?

𝐈𝐭 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭. 
Top candidates know their worth. 
They're more likely to invest deeply in an exercise when the company invests in them too.

There's a clear line between a reasonable interview case discussion and asking for deliverables like strategic plans, marketing campaigns, competitive analyses, or detailed proposals. The latter should be compensated.

If your hiring process requires candidates to produce substantial work, pay them for it. 

If you can't afford to pay candidates for their work, you can't afford to ask for it.

It's that simple.

___________

If you need help, DM me for my proprietary 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭

Thanksgiving recipe for boundaries

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I'm reminding myself of something important: self-care isn't selfish.

It's easy to overcommit during the holidays …saying yes to every side dish, every special diet request, every guest/family/colleague expectation. 

But sustainable success requires us to protect our energy and set healthy boundaries.

Please be intentional about including yourself on the list of people youre taking care of. 

That might mean saying no to some things, taking breaks when you need them, and being present where you choose to show up.

I'm deeply grateful for this network …for the colleagues who inspire me, the mentors who guide me, and the connections that make this professional journey meaningful. 

Thank you for being part of it. 

Wishing everyone a restful and restorative Thanksgiving. 🍁

Start an argument to save money on Christmas presents 

OR

Take some advice from Mike Muse on how to keep the peace at Thanksgiving dinner today. 

Either way, enjoy! 🦃🍁

Happy Thanksgiving

What says “transactional” more than disconnecting after you get the job?

Tickles me because I’ve seen this movie before. 

Headhunters are not the Boogeyman.  

And we’re not the wait staff that you tip after you eat, burp and go home, never to be seen again. 

We're relationship builders. Career-long partners. 
The people who remember you when the perfect opportunity comes around again.

So when you disconnect after you get what you need…

We remember that too.

What do you think happens next time? 

_________________

Has anyone ever gone radio silent, disappeared or disconnected from you after getting what they want?

I see this question all the time:
“Know a recruiter in Charlotte, NC?”
Let’s talk about why that’s not the question you should be asking.

I see people asking for recommendations for a recruiter in their city.

But here’s the thing: most of us don’t work locally. We work nationally. Some, like me, even work globally.

So the better question isn’t 
❌ “Who’s near me?”
✅  It’s “Who specializes in what I do?”

❓Are you in CPG? 
❓Tech? 
❓Luxury retail? 
❓Healthcare? 
❓Manufacturing?

❓❓Are you a CFO? 
❓❓CMO? 
❓❓Chief Commercial Officer?

The clearer your ask, the better the recommendations you’ll get.

Ask better questions, get better answers, Beloved, 🫶🏽

Best way to find a Recruiter to work with

Obstacles are often smaller than they appear.

Overthinking can be as bad as under-thinking. 

Leaders [and Coaches] help others turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

Agree? 

_______________
Repost from Oleg Vishnepolsky, CTO at Daily Mail Online

I’ll be the voice in the room on December 1st. 

Katheline Jean-Pierre, MSc: a brilliant, award-winning revenue leader, coach, podcaster and truth-seeker, will be asking the questions, and I’ll be answering them live.

She reached out and said, essentially: People are lost in this market. Why the **Crickets**? 

And she mirrored what I keep hearing across industries:

High-performers who were once chosen are now the ones doing the choosing, the searching, the competing for attention.

🤔 Recruiters seem to have evaporated. 👀
🥴 Process fractured. 
😤Access collapsed.
🫩 The rules rewrote themselves without asking permission.

So she asked me the questions you’ve been carrying in the quiet:

• How do ambitious professionals run a modern job search without insider access?
• What tactics still work and which ones need to be added to the toolkit?
• And most importantly, how do you manufacture momentum in this market?

I have a lot to say. (I always do.)

Which is why we’re hosting a live conversation, post-holiday fog:

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐉𝐎𝐁 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆

How to navigate the market and create your own path
A live Q&A with me and Katheline on Zoom

📅 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝐬𝐭 
• It’s free • It’s live 
• It’s clarity when clarity is scarce.

No gatekeeping. No fees. No performative posturing.

Just answers. Just access. Just the unfiltered mechanics of what works now.

If you’re searching for a role, planning a pivot, or trying to decode the signals that suddenly went silent: Be in the room.

Bring the questions you’re tired of holding.

I’ll bring the truth you’re tired of not hearing.

🔗 Zoom link in comments.

Andrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR ✦ Executive Search Professional
In dialogue with Katheline Jean-Pierre, MSc .
Your questions, answered.

When a CEO says "exploring all options," we all know what that means.

Jim Forbes and I had a great conversation last night at the PDA holiday party about what boards actually need when they're looking for a CEO who can make the company "transaction ready."

When the board is facing a go-private scenario, preparing for an IPO, or navigating an acquisition, the leadership profile changes dramatically. You need to find the right CEO for this particular journey.

The leaders who excel in transaction-heavy environments bring a specific toolkit:

↳ They view constrained runways as catalysts for decisive action, not paralysis
↳ They've built credibility with PE firms, investment bankers, and boards during high-pressure processes
↳ They can articulate competing strategic paths without becoming attached to any single outcome
↳ They understand that "exploring all options" requires rigorous strategic discipline

The question that the board should let shape the CEO search: Are we hiring for the company we are today, or the company we're about to become?

If transformation, transaction, or transition is on your horizon, your leadership profile needs to reflect that reality from day one.

I partner with boards to define these nuanced requirements before the search begins because getting this hire right is crucial. It could kill the deal if you get it wrong so it isn't a hire you'll get to make twice.

Thanks Jim Forbes for sparking this reflection. 

___________________

Private Directors Association® - Atlanta Chapter  

*picture for attention

#ExecutiveSearch #CEOSearch #BoardAdvisory #LeadershipTransitions

Your next executive hire was at Art Basel this weekend in Miami.  

Or she might have been at the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association conference in Las Vegas. 

Or the Private Directors Association event at Disneyland in October.

This weekend I was at Art Basel in Miami. I went to celebrate a friend's milestone birthday, reconnect with old colleagues, and meet new connections.

People see the photos and say, "Wow, you're living your best life!"

Here's what they don't see:
Yes, I am out a lot. 
I'm out in the rain.
I'm out in the cold. 
I'm out in the snow. 
I'm out in the extreme heat. 
I'm out when I'm tired.
I'm out when my feet hurt. 
I'm out when I have nothing that I like to wear. 
When I feel like I look like a frump, I'm out. 
Sometimes tired, sometimes not feeling my best. 
But I show up anyway.

Because when you need to fill a critical executive role, you can't afford to wait weeks for the "perfect candidate" to surface through job boards.

The executives you want aren't likely actively looking for you. They're not scrolling LinkedIn Jobs. 

They're at Art Basel. 
They're at industry conferences. They're at that startup founder's dinner party.

And when you need them, they'll take my call. 

Not because I sent them a cold InMail, but because we've had real conversations. 

Because someone they trust vouched for me. 
Because I've invested in the relationship long before you had an opening.

You can't be everywhere your next hire might be. But I can.

That's not work-life balance, that's how executive search actually works.

The relationships I build at a birthday celebration this weekend might solve your hardest hiring challenge next quarter.

When everyone else is fighting over the same 5 candidates on LinkedIn, I'm bringing you people who weren't even "on the market."

The secret recipe = Trust + Access.

That's the difference between recruiting and executive search.

Art Basel and Executive Search 

Stop showing your scalp and start showing your teeth.

You’ve done everything right …but invisibly. And invisibility doesn’t lead to advocacy,  recognition, promotion or payment.

Showing your teeth is a metaphor for visibility, voice, and power. 

It means speaking up. 
It means that you’re comfortable smiling in power rooms that you belong in. 
It means making yourself known and unmissable.

Translation: You stop shrinking. You claim your space. You speak your value out loud …that’s self-advocacy.

But sometimes the hardest person to advocate for is yourself.

Early in my career, I struggled with asking for what I deserved. I thought my work would speak for itself. It didn't.

The turning point was realizing that knowing your value and asking for it isn't arrogance. 
Understanding that it's necessary.

Today, I pray that everyone reading this finds:

The clarity to recognize their own worth 

The courage to speak up and ask for what they deserve

The resilience to keep going, even when the path gets tough

Early in your career, you have to put your head down and get things done. 

But at a certain point, working hard isn't enough. 

You have to understand your value and demand fair recognition for the work you put in and the results you create.

Do you know where the inflection point is?

Are you in grinding season or speak-up season?

Tell me in the comments:
🔨 GRIND
🗣️ SPEAK
🤔 IDK

She did her mom’s makeup at the funeral home to get her “casket ready” and then recorded this video.

Ashley Ann Jones is someone I respect deeply. Her work ethic is unmatched. I also knew her mom and how much they loved each other. 

That’s why when I watched this, I felt like she punched me in the chest having recently experienced the same loss. 

Because she wasn’t just talking to the internet …she was talking to ME!

To the part of me that knows exactly what it means to lose my mother and still have the world tapping its watch. 

To the part that kept moving - - not because I’m brave, but because stopping felt like free-fall.

It punches the chest because it mirrors a truth most people never have to look at head-on:
grief doesn’t pause responsibility.

Payroll doesn’t pause for grief. Vendors don’t accept sorrow as payment. Rent, subscriptions, contracts, dependents …they all keep tapping you on the shoulder.

So yes, working can be a coping mechanism. Structure can be a lifeline. Motion can keep you from drowning in the quiet. Channeling energy can feel safer than sitting still with the enormity of loss. I know this terrain. Many of us do.

Can you relate? Have you pushed through difficult seasons in order to be successful … or simply stay afloat? 

I know this may be an unpopular opinion in this era of anti-hustle culture. 

Thoughts?

Happy Founders’ Day to the Distinguished Men of 
𝐀𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐢 𝐀𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝! 

For 119 years, you’ve led the way with purpose, service, and a commitment to “Manly Deeds, Scholarship and Love For All Mankind.” 

May your legacy deepen, your influence widen, and your light keep cutting through places that still need you!

🖤💛🩷💚

#APA1906Network #AKA1908

This is going to make my Atlanta friends mad!

I don’t know who created this list but the best airlines I’ve ever flown, #Emirates, isn’t even on here. 

Neither is my hometown favorite #JetBlue.

I co-sign on #TurkishAir though. 

Do you agree with this ranking? What’s your favorite airlines?

I’ve been writing about executive search, leadership risk, and board-level talent decisions here on LinkedIn for a long time; often in short form, often in fragments.

What I’ve wanted is a place to go deeper.

The Modern Executive Almanac is that place.

It’s a monthly briefing on executive search, leadership risk, and board-level talent decisions in biotech, pharma, and healthcare ...written for leaders who crave clarity.

My LinkedIn posts will stay brief.

The newsletter is where I’ll take the time to unpack the thinking behind the decisions - the moments before choices become expensive, public, or irreversible.

If you’ve found my posts useful, this is the longer conversation.

You can subscribe here.

View newsletter: The Modern Executive Almanac

The Modern Executive Almanac | Issue 1 Executive Search Insights from Andrea Henderson For NomGov Chairs and Board Recruiters: When boards recruit dir

Open article: What Goes Wrong When Boards Skip Professional Search and Recruit Directors From Their Networks? by Andrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR • 5 min read

What Goes Wrong When Boards Skip Professional Search and Recruit Directors From Their Networks?

This was so much fun and got such good feedback, its only fair to share with my folks also. If you missed it and want to see the replay, comment "TEA" below or in my DM and Katheline or I will send it to you.  I'm following her lead on this... 😎

Award Winning Fortune 500 Exec | I Coached 15,000+ tech workers to Build a Career & Business they Love | Ex-Google

View Katheline Jean-Pierre MSc’s profile

Part 1 of The LinkedIn Tea is officially done  🫖 🍵 . Co-hosted with Andrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR, we broke down what moves the needle on LinkedIn right now, and how to turn your presence into real outcomes: interviews, partnerships, clients, and offers.

Here’s what we covered:

On LinkedIn Growth
•⁠  Define your unique voice + show up unapologetically
•⁠ What the algorithm is prioritizing (and what it’s quietly deprioritizing)
•⁠ How to create posts even when you “don’t know what to say”

On Career Growth
•⁠ Build a brand that attracts recruiters (not just likes)
•⁠ How to job-search in today’s landscape when “apply + wait” doesn’t work

On Attracting Opportunities
•⁠ Convert visibility into partnerships, clients, and revenue opportunities


If you missed it, don’t worry... Part 2 is coming.
👋🏾  Comment “TEA” and I’ll send the replay. 
 🗞️ Also... Join my newsletter to never miss a beat: https://lnkd.in/gX4mEkVA

P.S.: We met a few months ago in person in my backyard in LA. Then we decided to run a webinar on our journey.

Ghostwriter & Messaging Strategist helping leaders achieve 70% opt-ins with a Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to build trust and convert hesitant prospects into eager customers.

Most businesses struggle to convert leads because they rely on forgettable downloads and meaningless discounts that fail to create an emotional connection. 

Prospects don't just need information, they need to feel valued, to trust you, and to experience genuine engagement. 

That's why I created the concept of the Microstory Journey, a 5-day emotional experience that uses the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to touch hearts, build authentic connections, and establish unshakable trust, turning hesitant prospects into eager customers ready to take action.

AWAI Verified Copywriter
Case Studies Certification
Sales Enablement Certification

WRITING SERVICES I PROVIDE:

📨 5-Day Education Email Courses
💲 Ghostwriting on Social Media Platforms
📰  Newsletters
🌐   Web Content
✍️   Blog Posting
📧   Email Marketing
🛒   Sales Pages
📱   Facebook/Google Ads 

WHOM I WORK WITH: I help executives, CEOs, founders, & coaches.

3 Simple Steps to Powerful Messaging
1. Define your goals and messaging. 
2. Develop a customized storytelling strategy. 
3. Execute and refine messaging for maximum impact.

HERE'S WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Email me at mike@mikehays.net OR
Book a call with me at https://calendly.com/ask-mikehays

Mike Hays

Most communication fails before the first word is spoken.

(And it has nothing to do with your message)

Everyone focuses on what to say.
But the real breakdown happens earlier:

↳ Wrong context makes everything irrelevant.
↳ Wrong timing destroys perfect words.
↳ Wrong audience kills brilliant ideas.

Here's where communication actually breaks down:

1. Preparation Phase

↳ You skip understanding their current state
↳ You assume they're ready to listen
↳ You ignore their emotional context

2. Attention Phase

↳ They're distracted before you start
↳ Their priorities don't align with yours
↳ You compete with 1,000 other messages

3. Reception Phase

↳ They filter through their existing beliefs
↳ Past experiences shape their interpretation
↳ Your intent gets lost in their translation

The Hidden Truth:
↳ Timing beats technique every single time
↳ Perfect words to the wrong person = Failure
↳ Average words to the right person = Success

Most people craft messages.
Masters craft moments.

They understand that communication succeeds when the audience is ready, willing, and able to receive it.

Quick Question:

What's the biggest communication mistake you've witnessed in business?

⤵️ Share your experience below
🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights

Mike  Hays

Messaging Strategist & Ghostwriter for Leaders - I help you turn short stories into trust, influence, and premium clients with my Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint.

Want to Be the Most Interesting Person in the Room?
Stop Trying So Hard.

(The counterintuitive truth about charisma)

Everyone wants to captivate.
But here's what actually works:

↳ Curiosity beats performance every time.

Here's why being interested beats being interesting:

1. People Remember How You Made Them Feel

↳ Not what you said about yourself
↳ Not your accomplishments
↳ But how seen and heard they felt

2. Questions Create Connection

↳ "Tell me more" builds trust
↳ Genuine curiosity disarms people
↳ Listening creates loyalty

3. Your Ego Gets in the Way

↳ Talking about yourself = transactional
↳ Learning about others = relational
↳ Relationships drive opportunities

4. Interesting People Are Collectors

↳ They collect stories, not spotlights
↳ They gather insights, not applause
↳ They build depth through others

5. The Paradox Nobody Talks About

↳ The less you try to impress
↳ The more impressive you become
↳ Authenticity always wins

The Real Secret:
↳ Stop broadcasting. Start discovering.
↳ Stop performing. Start connecting.
↳ Stop talking. Start listening.

When you walk into a room focused on understanding 
rather than being understood, everything shifts.

You become magnetic not because of what you say, 
but because of how you make others feel valued.

Quick question:

Who's the most interesting person you've ever met  
and what made them that way?

⤵️ Share your story below
Follow Mike Hays for more insights on authentic connection

Most businesses think positioning is just marketing fluff.
(They're dead wrong)

It's the foundation of every buying decision.

But here's what they don't understand about positioning:
It's not about what you say.
It's about what your audience believes.

Facts you should know:
↳ 64% of consumers share values with brands they buy from
↳ Consistent positioning increases revenue by 23%
↳ Trust drives 88% of purchase decisions

Here's why positioning builds unshakeable loyalty:

1. Mental Real Estate

↳ You own a specific space in their mind
↳ Clear positioning eliminates confusion
↳ Customers know exactly what you deliver

2. Value Alignment

↳ Your beliefs match their worldview
↳ Creates emotional connection beyond price
↳ Transforms customers into advocates

3. Decision Shortcuts

↳ Strong positioning reduces choice paralysis
↳ Customers pick you without comparison shopping
↳ Premium pricing becomes justified

Where businesses go wrong:
Everyone has features.
Everyone has benefits.
But only positioned brands own customer minds.

Quick Question:

What position do you own in your customer's mind? Share below.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication tips

Show Up as Yourself 

Attracts Better Clients Than Any Polished Brand Voice.

If visibility feels like selling out, this is for you.
I used to hide behind my clients’ success instead of my own.

As a coach, I hated those polished, corporate-sounding posts.

Every draft I wrote sounded like a brand deck, not me.
So I stayed quiet and told myself silence meant integrity.

Meanwhile, louder voices defined what “leadership” looked like in my space.
Then a dream client said something that stopped me cold.
“I keep referring you, but your online presence doesn’t sound like you.”

They weren’t asking for a polished version.

They were begging for the real coach they met in sessions.

That day I made one rule for visibility.
I will show up as the room version, not the stage version.

↳ No perfect brand voice.
↳ Just the questions I actually ask clients, written in my voice.
↳ No glossy carousels.
↳ Just simple stories, real stakes, and clear invitations to reflect.

The result surprised me.

Views were smaller, but the right people started reaching out.
They quoted my messy lines, not the polished phrases.

Because leadership and coaching land when they feel human.

If you fear selling out, try this experiment for thirty days.

↳ Post as if you were recapping a session to a trusted friend.
↳ One story, one client moment, one honest insight each time.
↳ Hit publish before you smooth the interesting edges away.

Visibility is not selling out when your values hold the microphone.
What part of you are you still hiding from clients?

Follow Mike Hays for more visibility advice

The Day I Realized the Market Wasn’t My Enemy

It Was My Mind.

Most entrepreneurs struggle with the same invisible enemy:
(And it's not competition, market conditions, or lack of resources)

False beliefs about themselves.

I know because I fought these battles:
↳ Wasn't a natural communicator
↳ Struggled with confidence
↳ Came from nothing
↳ Felt "not enough"

Here's what changed everything:

1. Evidence Collection

↳ Document every small win
↳ Track progress, not perfection
↳ Your past proves your capability

2. Reframe Your Origin

↳ "From nothing" = resourceful problem-solver
↳ Scarcity taught you efficiency
↳ Your struggle is your competitive advantage

3. Confidence Through Repetition

↳ Confidence isn't innate, it's built
↳ Every post, every conversation adds up
↳ Action creates belief, not the reverse

4. Communication as a Skill

↳ Nobody is born a great communicator
↳ Clarity beats charisma every time
↳ Practice makes you powerful

The Truth:
Your false beliefs aren't facts.
They're outdated stories you keep telling yourself.

Quick Question:

Which false belief held you back the longest?

⤵️ Share below

Thank you, Holly Moe, for helping me rewrite the story I was telling myself.

I could visualize every game as an athlete.
But in business? I couldn’t see anything.

On the field, mental rehearsal was easy.
➤ I knew the plays.
➤ I knew the opponents.
➤ Everything was predictable.

Business wasn’t.

I couldn’t “see” my customers, my market, or my next move.
And it frustrated me.

Then it clicked:

Athletes visualize what they already know.
Entrepreneurs visualize what doesn’t exist yet.

So I changed my approach.

Instead of trying to see the whole future, I visualized one thing:

• One customer with one problem
• One conversation that creates clarity
• One outcome I can actually influence
• One referral from solving that problem

That’s when visualization started working again.

Because business visualization isn’t about perfection.
It’s about specificity.

Stop trying to imagine “success.”
Start imagining the next real scenario you’ll face.

Small picture → clear action → real results.

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership advice.

Authority isn’t about confidence.

It’s about language.

We often assume people follow the loudest voice in the room.
But in real conversations, especially at work
authority shows up in much quieter ways.

I started paying attention to the people who 
consistently guided discussions.

↳ They weren’t forceful.
↳ They weren’t dramatic.
↳ They simply used intentional phrasing that changed how others responded.

And once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.

Three simple shifts can instantly change 
how people perceive your authority even 
if nothing else about you changes.

1. Use words that imply direction.
Phrases like “I’d like to set the direction here…” 
or “I don’t like the direction this is heading…” 
subconsciously signal leadership.

The moment you reference direction, people look to you to guide it.

2. Frame ideas through experience.
Open with, “In the past, I’ve found…” 
or “In these situations, I prefer…”

These phrases add instant credibility
not because you’re boasting, but because 
you’re grounding your perspective in pattern recognition.

3. Set expectations clearly and calmly.
Statements like “Let’s focus on the issue at hand…” or 
“Here’s what I think we should prioritize…” 

Bring clarity to the conversation.
And clarity creates trust the foundation of authority.

None of this requires a title.
None of this requires dominance.
Authority is simply controlled direction, 
earned clarity, and consistent language.

Credit to Jefferson Fisher, whose ideas inspired this lesson.

If you want more authority, start with your words they shape the room long before your title does.

What phrase do you use to guide conversations?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

Storytelling isn’t a gift.

It’s a skill.

For years, I believed:

↳Some people are born with it.
↳Some aren’t.
↳Talent decides everything.

I thought charisma was the secret sauce.
And if you didn’t have it… tough luck.

Then one day, a coach told me something simple:

“You already tell great stories.
You just don’t notice them.”

That hit me.

I realized I was telling stories to my kids every night.
↳Small moments.
↳Tiny lessons.
↳Real emotion.

Those same stories worked flawlessly with clients.

The breakthrough wasn’t learning to be a storyteller.
It was recognizing that I was already one.

Most people think they need “better stories.”
They don’t.

↳They need to notice the stories they’re already living.
↳The awkward moments.
↳The small wins.
↳The passing conversations.
↳The doubts.
↳The tiny transformations that happen every day.

Consistent storytelling isn’t about creating bigger moments.
It’s about paying attention to the ones that already exist.

When you start seeing these moments, 
your storytelling muscle grows fast.

Repetition builds confidence.
Structure beats talent.
Authenticity beats perfection.

Your best stories are already happening.
All you have to do is notice them.

What’s one small moment from this week that taught you something?

Follow Mike Hays for more microstory advice.

AI Is Your Edge. Your Only Edge.

AI tools are the ultimate differentiator in today's market.

The old way:

→ Time-consuming content creation
→ Standard competitor monitoring
→ Manual research and analysis
→ Generic product positioning
→ Reactive customer service

The new way:

→ Instant content generation
→ Smart pricing optimization
→ Proactive problem solving
→ AI-powered market insights
→ Data-driven decision making
→ Customized solution delivery
→ Intelligent workflow automation
→ Strategic positioning refinement
→ Enhanced customer experience
→ Automated personalization at scale
→ Real-time competitive intelligence
→ Predictive customer behavior analysis

AI tools transform how you compete.

→ Using AI to understand and serve customers 
better creates unmatched value and loyalty.

Business leaders confirm:

AI differentiation isn't about having the technology.

It's about applying it strategically to solve real customer problems.

The tools identify patterns and opportunities humans miss.

This creates unique advantages competitors can't easily replicate.

It's not just automation, it's about delivering superior experiences.

Companies that integrate AI thoughtfully stand out and win.

Follow Mike Hays for more business growth tips.

If You're Responding to Passive Aggressive Comments…
You're Playing Their Game.

(Here's the smarter approach)

Everyone says, "defend yourself."
But strategic silence often wins.

Here's the framework:

1. Pause Before Reacting

↳ Take 24 hours minimum
↳ Emotional responses backfire
↳ Distance creates clarity

2. Assess the Intent

↳ Is it worth your energy?
↳ Will engagement help your brand?
↳ Sometimes ignoring wins

3. The High-Road Response

↳ Stay professional always
↳ Address the issue, not the tone
↳ Thank them for their perspective
↳ Redirect to productive dialogue

4. When to Ignore Completely

↳ Obvious trolling behavior
↳ No constructive point made
↳ Repeated negative patterns
↳ Protect your mental space

5. Turn It Into Value

↳ Use feedback to create content
↳ Show how you handle criticism
↳ Demonstrate your character
↳ Let your audience see your professionalism

The Key Insight:
↳ Your response defines your brand.
↳ Passive aggression seeks reaction.
↳ Strategic responses build respect.

Remember: Not every comment deserves your time.

Quick Question:

How do you handle negativity on your posts?

Follow Mike Hays for more social media strategies

Put Down the Emotional Backpack That Isn’t Yours.

It Took Me Years to Learn This

Most people carry guilt that isn't theirs to carry.
(And it's destroying their leadership)

You're not responsible for other people's emotions.

But here's what nobody tells you about boundaries:
They're not selfish.
They're strategic.

The Raw Truth:
↳ Clarity creates healthier relationships than caretaking
↳ Their emotional state isn't your assignment
↳ You can't control how someone reacts

Here's why this matters in leadership:

1. Emotional Ownership

↳ Each person owns their internal experience
↳ Your job is honesty, not emotional management
↳ Protecting feelings often prevents growth

2. Decision Paralysis

↳ Fear of upsetting others kills momentum
↳ You can't lead effectively while people-pleasing
↳ Strong boundaries enable stronger communication

3. Energy Allocation

↳ Managing others' emotions drains your capacity
↳ Your focus belongs on vision and execution
↳ Empathy without ownership is the balance

The Hidden Power:
You can be compassionate without being responsible.
You can care without carrying.
You can lead without managing everyone's comfort.

I spent years trying to control reactions.
It made me hesitant, unclear, and exhausted.

Now I deliver truth with kindness and let people process their own responses.

The leaders who scale aren't the ones 
who make everyone happy.

They're the ones who communicate clearly and 
trust others to handle their emotions.

Are you leading or caretaking?

🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more leadership strategies

Before: Brilliant but Invisible. 

After: Visible, Trusted, In-Demand.

The most talented professionals often remain invisible in their industries.

(And it's not because they lack expertise)

It's because of three limiting beliefs.

But here's what they don't realize about visibility:
It's not about ego.
It's about impact.

The Hidden Barriers:
↳ "My credentials should speak for themselves"
↳ "Good work will naturally be discovered"
↳ "Self-promotion feels arrogant"

Here's why these beliefs sabotage success:

1. The Service Reframe

↳ Sharing knowledge isn't bragging. It's helping
↳ Your expertise solves real problems for people
↳ Staying quiet deprives others of solutions

2. The Credential Trap

↳ Qualifications open doors, but stories close deals
↳ People connect with transformation, not titles
↳ Your experience matters more than your degrees

3. The Discovery Myth

↳ Exceptional work happens behind closed doors
↳ Visibility requires intentional communication
↳ Talent without promotion equals missed opportunities

The Part You Can’t Ignore:
Your expertise sitting in silence helps no one.
Your knowledge locked away serves no purpose.
But your voice sharing wisdom changes everything.

The experts who break through don't abandon humility, they channel it into service.

They understand that hiding their light isn't noble; it's selfish.

Quick Question:

What's one piece of expertise you've been keeping to yourself that could transform someone's business?

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership insights.

The Simple Clarity System I Guarded for Years

Now I’m Finally Sharing It

My career has been defined by high-stakes decisions and ticking clocks.

One thing kept me from burning out.

Clarity.

When the pressure hits, your brain 
wants options, not decisions.

More meetings, more messages, 
more browser tabs pretending to be progress.

Early in my career, I played that game.
I was always busy, rarely moving the needle.

Then higher roles raised the stakes even further.

Clients waited on my calls, revenue hinged on my calendar.

That pressure forced a hard truth on me.

Clarity isn't a nice-to-have.
Clarity is survival.

So I built a simple productivity system my career could trust.

Here is the system I use every single day:
→ Decide what you want.
→ Write it down where you will see it.
→ Each morning, choose the ONE task that moves you closest.
→ Block time and do that task before anything else.

No inbox.

No scrolling.

No “quick favors” that hijack your day.

This is how I rebuilt myself, again and again.

I have started companies, sold franchises, and pivoted careers.
Every reinvention began with one clear daily priority.

Most people confuse movement with progress.

Their calendars are full, their results are thin.

You win when your day serves your direction.

Tonight, will you pick tomorrow's one non-negotiable task?

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership advice.

taplio

The Battle

Andrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR

Mike Hays

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreAndrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreMike Hays's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Andrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR

Mike Hays

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Andrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreMike Hays's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreAndrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR's LinkedIn Performance