Testing

When you hire experienced, high-performing leaders, it’s important to create space for their insights and recommendations. One organization I worked with brought me on specifically for my expertise, yet consistently chose not to act on the operational and strategic improvements I proposed. Leadership ultimately pursued internally favored solutions instead.

That company is no longer in business.

While many factors contribute to an organization’s success or failure, disregarding informed input from subject-matter experts was a meaningful part of the challenge. The same pattern extended beyond my role – other senior leaders, including the head of marketing, faced similar dismissal. When talented professionals are hired but not empowered, it raises the question of whose expertise is truly being leveraged.

Organizations that succeed tend to hire strong people – and then listen to them.