LWP Executive Search & Advisory
Internal Reasons Why Searches Fail
For the most part, the internal recruiting team believes that they are skilled and qualified to manage a search where they have minimal track record of success. Because the recruiting function does not have a strong history, there has been no particular evolution or principles that guide the function. It is a very short term, execution minded function to reach the minimum goals set by the organization.
For the most part, the internal recruiting team believes that they are skilled and qualified to manage a search where they have minimal track record of success. Because the recruiting function does not have a strong history, there has been no particular evolution or principles that guide the function. It is a very short term, execution minded function to reach the minimum goals set by the organization.
Here the main reasons hiring searches fail due to internal reasons:
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The naiveté and ignorance of board/hiring team: As successful as boards members are in their respective businesses, they lack the knowledge and expertise in the recruitment of senior leaders, in particular for nonprofit organizations. They oversimplify the process due to their inexperience.
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Senior recruiting focuses too much for the short term: No one will argue that the recruitment of a leader is not only for the short term but long term as well. Little consideration is put in to the skills and experiences needed for the long term.
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Hiring process is vague or ineffective: When there is little alignment in the hiring process, it causes confusion in the future and has key stakeholders on different pages.
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Interviewers lack the skills to accurately assess leadership talent: The common barrier for recruitment is that everyone knows how to interview. Study after study indicate most interviewers pick the wrong person half or more.