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Inclusive and Accurate Leader Acquisition Leads to Diverse and Effective Leadership in Organisations
Leaders have the largest impact on people’s success at work, inclusive workplaces and organisations’ results. Without high-performing leaders, people’s potential to achieve results is restricted and organisations underperform. MU Executive Search provides MU clients with an inclusive search, an accurate selection and efficient service.
Today advances in science, data and transparency shine a light on what many have suspected for years, that the probability of a successful leadership hire through the conventional Executive Search model is only 50–60% Read the words of our CEO Richard Moore
The two problems within conventional Executive Search
The conventional ways of appointing leaders are flawed – it has two major problems:
It’s ineffective in predicting which leaders will succeed in a new role – the Performance Problem, and diverse plausible candidates are excluded while others have special access - the Diversity Problem.
The ‘Performance Problem’ found in conventional Executive Search is a consequence of using methods for leader appointments resulting in that only 60% (or less) of the appointments are successful. Typically, by using generic models and beliefs about leadership roles and subjective decision-making. Using conventional methods for leader appointments means that only 60% (or less) of the appointments are successful. Put simply this means that the success rate of leader appointments is similar to a “coin-flip”.
This problem must be addressed by recognising that each organisation, as well as every leader position, is unique. Therefore, making accurate predictions regarding a match must consider these unique aspects.
The ’Diversity Problem’ found in conventional Executive Search is a consequence of using a “rolodex-logic”. The use of personal networks, exclusive databases and professional social media to find leaders addresses a limited group of candidates - sometimes referred to as ‘the club’.
This problem must be addressed by inclusive search where plausible candidates are searched, beyond existing networks. The bias and random error in selection decisions have to be well controlled.
MU Executive Search is evolved by the – tested and proven to overcome the performance and diversity problems found in conventional leader recruitment. Using this way of working, MU Experts worldwide provide MU clients with an inclusive search, an accurate selection and efficient service.
Search Evolved - Mercuri Urval Executive Search™
MU Experts provide a tested and proven Executive Search service. We know for a fact that our evolved MU Executive Search™ beat the conventional methods in Executive Search when it comes to both leader appointment success rates and reduction of skew in selection decisions.
MU addresses the Performance Problem via a science-based, precisely tailored, and quality-assured way of working (MU Leader Selection Science®). Publicly available reports from studies made by the MU Research Institute repeatedly show that more than 90% of the leader appointments supported by MU Experts are successful. The success rate of the MU methodology is independently evaluated and scientifically analysed. This means that every appointment made based on MU advice is evaluated and the results are transparently reported externally in scientific reports (see e.g., Jonsson, 2023a, 2023b).
MU addresses the Diversity Problem with a fair and quality-assured selection method that is validated internally and externally by DNV-GL to be effective. Follow-up monitoring of gender shows that the MU selection processes contain no systematic skewness (see e.g., Jonsson, 2023b).
In total 93,8 % of the appointments made based on assessments 2020 and 2021 were evaluated as successful by the Hiring Managers. The success-rate of appointments made based on assessments 2020 and 2021 as evaluated by the Hiring Managers is similar for all gender categories
Furthermore, to secure the inclusion of diverse plausible candidates in the initial shortlisting of candidates MU Experts always search beyond existing networks and specified target pools.
Effective Leadership Acquisition is at the heart of MU’s mission, and we have an extensive track record of successful leader appointments. We will form a team of certified MU Experts committed to your needs and assuring an inclusive search and an accurate selection.
The Mercuri Urval Executive Search process includes:
The unique organisations' situation and business needs are carefully analysed and translated into a tailored success profile with inclusion criteria
MU Experts provide deep knowledge and analysis of the relevant candidate market, where target organisations and diverse candidates meeting the inclusion criteria are identified and attracted based on facts
Reliable and effective ISO 10667-2 standard, using MU Leadership Assessment™ to effectively benchmark and select candidates in a fact-based and consistent way.
A managed hiring process supported by proactive and professional advice to ensure the selected candidate is effectively employed
A tailored performance plan and follow-up to accelerate the performance of the appointed candidate
Global Executive Search with Mercuri Urval
Our Executive Search experts can efficiently secure your next high level leader, such as a vice president or executive director, wherever in the world they are. MU is a leading global Executive Search firm providing executive search consulting and operating in more than 60 different countries. As one global company, we have no internal barriers inhibiting what we can do for you – we support our clients through long term, professional service for high level roles.
Why choose Mercuri Urval for your next Executive Search?
We are a senior managing executive search firm dedicated to finding senior executive talent worldwide. The MU Executive Search is designed to effectively handle both the diversity and performance needs of the client through a quality-assured and ethical process. MU Executive Search is an effective procedure for inclusive candidate acquisition and selection process that reassures inclusive candidate search beyond known networks and selections that are made through a scientifically verified fact-based prediction methodology.
Our Executive Search experts have the knowledge and expertise - as well as the analytical tools and methods - needed to understand our clients’ strategic goals, business, and organisational culture. This understanding guides the delivery of our services in all major practices and markets.
More than 90% of the leaders we recommend meet or exceed expectations*
We have industry practice teams working in all major markets worldwide.
Our track-record with >1000 Executive and Senior Management Searches successfully completed each year inspires confidence and trust
89% of our clients agree that our services effectively solved their problem**
Our standards in Assessment are unrivalled Quality Assured to ISO 10667-2***
* Regularly published validation studies from the MU Research Institute
** Client perception surveys conducted in >15 countries, 2020-2022.
*** Reoccurring validation studies, annually audited by DNV-GL
To find out more about how MU Executive Search can dramatically increase the effectiveness of your leadership appointments and ensure your organisation outperforms, contact our team.
To find out more about our range of other tailored MU Services, click here.
In the words of our clients
Making the case for executive search
Mercuri Urval helped us to deliver on the strategic introduction of a brand new Directorship level. Of particular not is their Executive Search to find us an IT Director. We appointed Mercuri Urval to the assignment and they delivered a superb result in a particularly challenging timescale. I'd have no hesitation in recommending Mercuri Urval to any organisation that is looking for Assessment or Search providers, they will not let you down or dissapoint, and will truly go the extra mile to ensure the job is done in a way that the client and candidate are delighted with."
– Tom Lyas, Talent Acquisition Manager
Going further than a candidate pool
Perhaps more true than for any other industry, we constantly face new challenges and changes. Climatic and geopolitical factors are indeed shaping our future , but a true connection and a strong relationship to the market are in our own hands to decide. We chose Mercuri Urval to headhunt for a managing director capable of bringing us closer than ever before to the Swiss market. Mercuri Urval delivered exactly what they promised and we highly recommend them."
– Yannis Tavanidis, Director European Sales Operation
Leadership in tune with corporate culture
Mercuri Urval gave us extremely professional support in filling a business critical role in Vienna. Despite our very specific requirements they were able to provide a number of qualified candidates who did not only meet the formal criteria, bur also showed the necessary cultural fit. Thank you Mercuri Urval for your higly appreciated service."
– Stefan Krämer, Managing Director
Building a sustainable sales organisation
Again we had a successful collaboration with Mercuri Urval. Together we developed a new sales organisation that is up to specifications. We rely on them for fast delivery of appropriate candidates, first-class C-level service and for making sure that the hired employees have long-term commitment and good performance. Mercuri Urval is fully perceived as a trusted advisor by us and we can fully recommend their services within Executive Search and Professional Recruitment."
– Jörn Schütte, General Manager
Making tracks for a successful succession
It's our business to never leave anything to chance, and in our group leadership the same level of care applies. We needed a leader who could bring a central business unit back on track, and secure its long-term success. We knew personality would be an important factor as well, so we decided to give Mercuri Urval the mandate to search for our new executive. They proved to be a first-rate firm, and we now have a successor ready to head the business unit and to step into our group leadership."