Benefits August 23, 2004

Executives Must Establish Strategic Priorities Early, Survey States

August 23, 2004 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The most common mistake made by senior executives in their first 100 days is the failure to establish strategic priorities, according to a Korn/Ferry International survey released today.
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“There is tremendous pressure for new CEOs and other senior-level executives to sift through a multitude of issues, agendas and opinions,” said Joe Griesedieck, vice chairman of Korn/Ferry, in a release. “The most successful executives cut through the clutter, isolate their strategic priorities early and plot a course of action to set them in motion. This is critical because the first 100 days present a unique opportunity to disturb the status quo.”

Other missteps identified by the survey were committing cultural gaffes and/or political suicide (16%), waiting too long to implement change (16%), and not putting in enough face time with subordinates (14%).

The survey also looked at traits that recruiters felt were most important for senior executives to possess in a new job situation. Coming out on top were people skills (44%), values and behavior that matched the organization (38%), as well as well-matched skill-sets (9%).

The Executive Recruiter Index was based on a quarterly survey of 183 Korn/Ferry International consultants. This survey was conducted online within theAmericas , Europe and Asia/Pacific between August 4 and August 17, 2004 . Korn/Ferry is a Los Angeles-based executive search and leadership development solutions provider.

– Kip McDaniel

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