Animal's Preamble: I enjoyed this article (which I've condensed below) but it mis-states its thesis in unnecessarily racist and sexist terms which have nothing to do with the way these headhunters work.
What's so good about Charlie Tribbett (a black man) and Andi Redmond (a white woman)? They're not old white men.
Redmond, 49, is one of the few women at her level in the industry. Tribbett, 50, is regarded as the highest-ranking African-American.They each argue that their gender, cultural perspective, and relative youth allow them to offer their clients a different worldview than that of Neff and Roche.
There's no inner sanctum more controlled by elder white males than the world of CEO recruiting... Andrea and Charles represent fresh perspectives in an industry that is in many ways antiquated.
THEY PROMOTE OUTSIDERS
This Dynamic Duo tries "to become insiders at the company, familiar with its troubles, prospects, and culture. That allows them to suggest candidates whose names the board of directors might not even recognize."
The perfect example: when The Duo found a successor for Carly Fiorna, half of the 15 candidates they presented were people HP didn't know including Mark Hurd, the winner. The turnaround time, six weeks.
(Their speed was one of the reasons they got the job. In addition to the fact that Andi had placed Patty Dunn, the chairman of the board).
BOARDS ARE NARROW-MINDED
Now, here's something worth pointing out: the narrow-mindedness of the "hiring managers".The Duo had to push the HP board to see their boy (Hurd) because he wasn't a big star.
BUT THEY ARE PERSISTENT
Redmond explains how to deal with these dodos: "If someone shoots you down, you have to come back another day and say, 'I listened and understand what you are saying, but I would like you to hear me out on this."'
AND THEY ARE BLUNT
They have the same straight-forward approach to candidates as well. Trib lured Glenn Tilton into United Airlines by laying its problems on the line.
If you were me, would you take the position?" Tilton had asked him. "No," Tribbett said. "But I'm not you. You might be crazy enough to do [it]."If it's a tremendous challenge, he says so," explains Tilton. "That's a very significant thing."
Here's an interesting question: WHO'S BATMAN?
It depends on the search. Redmond knows financial services; Tribbett, regulated industries. Whoever has the relevant strength takes the lead. But, allegedly, the real strength of their partnership is their good cop-bad cop personality split.
Redmond is fiery and spontaneous; Tribbett is reserved and diplomatic.
How do they settle disagreements? I don't know.
Based on: The New Kingmakers Of Executive Placement, BusinessWeek
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