10 ways to engage, retain, and motivate staff in the Print and Packaging sectors

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Statistics confirm Print and Packaging companies around the world are experiencing the highest talent shortfall since 2007. Today’s employee seeks value beyond financial compensation. Thankfully, engaging, motivating and retaining talented team members is much easier than you think. Here are our top ten solutions to your staff retention challenges.

1. Numbers don’t lie
Gallup research showed that out of 7,000 individuals, only 5% felt engaged. The Institute of Leadership & Management (IML) discovered 37% of employees are looking for a new job this year. Monster.co.uk revealed 58% said they are not thanked enough; 54% felt unacknowledged and 47% felt uninspired. Employees perform better and are loyal when they feel understood and are given the opportunity to do their best every day.

2. It’s not about the money
Budgets for staff events, dinners and team building seminars were touted as the answers to staff engagement issues. Not anymore. Key solutions for retention success have nothing to do with money. Talented staff are engaged, motivated and retained through behavioural solutions and creative thinking, not the company chequebook.

3. Relationship revolution
Employees seek roles within companies they connect with. An employer’s role has evolved beyond supplying work and salary to valuing and developing the talents and skills of their team. The most successful companies understand this: both employee and employer exhibit equal investment to reach business targets.

4. Creative investment
No promotions available? No problem. Offer a talented team player their own project to lead. This simple example is a great way to nurture staff. Research reveals developing individual development strategies are crucial to employee retention; and, in most cases, more important than a career path.

5. Say it
All employees want to know whether they are doing a good job. Effective feedback is clear, prompt, offers solutions and concentrates on behaviour (not the person or their intention). Consistent feedback creates solid communication between employee and management.

6. Don’t worry, be happy
A positive perspective is one of the most effective leadership qualities. Celebrate success stories at the start of every staff meeting and encourage staff to explore solutions as a team. Once established, a positive environment is its own sustainable cycle of positivity.

7. Start at the beginning
Successful Print and Packaging companies create an induction process engaging directly with a new employee’s enthusiasm. The most successful companies take this ethos right back to recruitment stage. They recruit talent for their behaviours and traits, as well as for experience and qualifications.

8. Practice what you preach
Great leaders embody the qualities required to succeed in an organisation. Research reveals that if employees respect their leaders they are 55% more engaged. If management is inspired, engaged and motivated, your team will reflect these qualities.

9. Two-way street
Encourage staff to share ideas and they will actively contribute to the business’ success. In successful companies, staff contributions have streamlined workflow processes and created meaningful solutions. Use an enjoyable ritual such as morning refreshments to gather the team together for an ideas session.

10. Acknowledge and reward
The simple act of acknowledging hard work is extremely effective – and crucial. Not being thanked rates as one of the highest ranking complaints cited by disengaged staff. Statistics show staff loyalty and engagement increase if people feel genuinely valued.

If you are serious about engagement and want to retain your best Print and Packaging employees Athena can help. Our 7 Step Recruiting System is designed to ensure that you can recruit and retain the top 15% of candidates in the Print and Packaging market, candidates who are motivated by much more than money. We work in partnership with our clients to fully understand their requirements and ensure that newly recruited staff are joining for the right reasons and looking to develop a long term career.

Book in for a Client Discovery Call today by clicking on this link https://athena-executive.acuityscheduling.com/

 

How to attract passive candidates

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One of the main pressures bearing down on Print and Packaging organisations around the world is satisfying the constant demand for talented staff. It’s unrealistic to expect the most talented candidates to be looking for a new role at the same time you are hiring. Often the most talented candidates are happily engaged in employment elsewhere.

We call these candidates “passive candidates”. A passive candidate is someone who is employed and not looking to change their job, but who may be open to being approached. Approximately 45 percent of the current workforce are considered passive candidates who are happy to have discussions – with the right people. Let’s examine the most effective methods of attracting passive candidates.

…it’s who you know

Using an in-house employee referral programme is one of the most effective methods of recruiting passive candidates. An employee referral programme also increases in-house talent retention, because existing staff are actively promoting the company to friends, family and networking contacts. Passive candidates respond well to referral programmes, in no small part due to the credibility of their in-house contact. Also find a good specialist recruiter who knows your sector and has a good network. They will be an invaluable source of passive candidates if they have authority in their marketplace and will give you access to the very best passive candidates.

Strong branding

One of the first things approached passive candidates will do is Google your organisation and look you up on social media. Make sure your recruitment page is up to date, easy to navigate and shares the strength of your branding and company culture. Your recruitment page also needs a clear call to action, and your current career opportunities must be easily visible. Remember, talented candidates are looking for more than an attractive remuneration package. They’re looking for a company they connect with. Updating your social media feeds with information about company culture and branding creates a dynamic landing platform for the passive candidate when they look you up.

Trust is everything

Professional discretion and rock solid reliability will ensure a passive candidate discusses their possibilities with you in greater depth and detail. It can be stressful discussing a possible – and unexpected – new career opportunity. Make it clear to your candidate up front that you’ll never ring or email using their current work contact details, and you are of course happy to meet and interview outside normal working hours.

Network, network, network

A clever on-going, strategy is to ensure that you attend networking events and build up a steady stream of passive candidate contacts, to be used at a later date. It’s good policy to network whether you are recruiting for a particular role or not. If you use networking as a long range plan of action you build contacts slowly and establish trust with each of your candidates. Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn are a great way to stay in touch.

Know your candidates

When you find an ideal passive candidate, make sure you do your homework. Taking the time to research a candidate properly is worth its weight in gold. It’s extremely flattering for a passive candidate to be approached, particularly with some visible progress already made into understanding their current circumstances.

First impressions are powerful. If you want to win the war for talent in the Print and Packaging sectors, carefully thought out strategies such as these make all the difference.

Athena Executive Search. If you are serious about attracting and retaining the best talent in the Print and Packaging sectors Athena can help. Our 7 Step Recruiting System is designed to ensure that you can recruit and retain the top 15% of candidates in the Print and Packaging market, candidates who are motivated by much more than money. We work in partnership with our clients to fully understand their requirements and ensure that newly recruited staff are joining for the right reasons and looking to develop a long-term career.

Book in for a Client Discovery Call today by clicking on this link https://athena-executive.acuityscheduling.com/

Optimising ROI from your new hires

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As the global war for talent intensifies, the pressure is on for companies to obtain the best possible results from new hires. Investing in a clearly-defined set of processes for new employees creates a positive employee experience which encourages loyalty and the organisation protects itself from losing talented team players to competitors.

Commit to employee onboarding

Introduce your new hires via a series of induction processes, collectively known as “onboarding”. If you implement a positive onboarding process, you are more likely to retain 60 percent of all new hires for longer than three years. The numbers speak for themselves; there are substantial benefits to be had.

Celebrate your culture

The most effective onboarding processes focus on organisational culture, behaviour and knowledge, with special attention also given to expected performance. The results are remarkable: faster adjustment to working environment, increased productivity and targets reached within a shorter period of time. Everything you want your new hire to do. The best onboarding programmes from companies such as Google and Facebook tailor these strategies to the business’ ethos and personality in an engaging, original way.

Embrace structure

Giving new hires specific detail attracts positive results. For example, don’t say that your company values providing clients with a prompt reply; rather, if the expectation is for all employees to respond to client emails within one hour, say precisely this. The more structured and specific you are, the more supported new hires feel. If new hires feel supported they will be more productive.

Engage and inspire

Introduce new starters through an engaging new starter manual telling your company story and providing the details a newcomer needs to know about your company in order to feel part of the team. Details such as company-specific acronyms, key locations and dates as well as showcasing social functions, groups, reward programs and available training all help a new starter to settle in. Providing detailed insight into company culture goes a long way.

Have you remembered the why?

Training is an integral part of successful onboarding programmes – if it’s administered correctly. Combine teaching new employees how to do their job with why it needs to be done in a particular way, thereby making the process far more intuitive.

Mentors

Pairing new starters with a mentor is an effective strategy to reinforce new starter training, offer continued support and encourage relationship building within the team. Effective mentoring encourages the new starter to feel comfortable providing feedback about their experience.

Recipe for success

Immerse new starters in your onboarding processes in the first week. The secret is to tailor these processes insofar as is possible to your company ethos. When in doubt, allow innovators such as Google and its “Noogler” baseball caps for new starters, to inspire you.

The best onboarding programmes encourage new starters to feel valued, welcome and a key part of a successful team. In return, new starters are engaged, productive and keen to achieve. Just what your business needs to succeed.

Athena Executive Search. If you are serious about optimising the ROI  from your new hires in the Print and Packaging sectors Athena can help. Our 7 Step Recruiting System is designed to ensure that you can recruit and retain the top 15% of candidates in the Print and Packaging market, candidates who are motivated by much more than money. We work in partnership with our clients to fully understand their requirements and ensure that newly recruited staff are joining for the right reasons and looking to develop a long-term career.

Book in for a Client Discovery Call today by clicking on this link https://athena-executive.acuityscheduling.com/

The importance of career strategy

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A career left solely to chance is an unwise gamble. Without the implementation of a clear and workable career strategy, there is a real risk of missing any opportunities that come your way, or even stagnating at a particular point you were hoping to move on from more quickly.

Work hard

During the early years of a career, you quickly climb the ranks by being the sharpest, brightest and most capable team player. You make sure you are the one who answers emails the quickest, the one who always volunteers for overtime and regularly comes up with ideas which far outshine those of your peers. But as your career progresses and the top of your game is in reach, the importance of a defined career strategy remains. Undertaking large projects which deliver time or cost savings – or other financial gain – carry more weight at senior manager or director level.

Plan

With plans come goals, with goals come motivation – and with motivation comes results.

Your career strategy will change and evolve over time, and will need constant review and consideration. In a world where there aren’t enough hours in a day and work is constantly piling up, months roll by unnoticed. But force yourself to regularly set time aside to assess where you are and where you’re going.

Be Specific

Work out specifically what you want to achieve in your career and by what date. Also consider whether there are gaps in your knowledge, in any technical practices or legal requirements for instance. Even as a senior manager or director, some new business concepts or procedures can require the acquisition of new skills and understanding. If so, consider what degrees or accreditations you may need to pursue, and what path you’ll need to take in order to get there. Study can require a large investment of your time and if a Masters or PHD is required for a position you want in three years’ time, you would really need to start applying now.

Get noticed

A recent study has shown that hiring an external candidate into a company means they’re paid 18-20% more than internal workers who are promoted upwards. Although unfair, it does point to the idea that professionals are often taken for granted inside their own companies. Whilst that doesn’t mean you constantly need to move around between organisations, if you do stay at the same company, it’s important to cultivate a strong external reputation. Get networking and get yourself noticed. Not only will you potentially open doors for yourself further down the line, you’ll also reduce the risk of blending into the background. You’ll remind your boss and colleagues that your abilities are appreciated – and sought after.

Athena Executive Search specialise in recruiting senior leadership positions in the Print and Packaging sectors globally. Please get in touch if you are contemplating a career move or looking to recruit. For access to more articles on industry topics, recruitment and retention strategies, and our upcoming webinar series with industry thought leaders please subscribe here: https://athena50147.activehosted.com/f/1

 

 

How to Attract and Retain Top Talent in the Packaging & Print Sector

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In an industry defined by innovation, sustainability, and operational precision, the print and packaging sector is only as strong as the leaders guiding it.

Yet across the market, companies are facing a familiar challenge:

Finding — and keeping — the right executive talent.

At Athena Executive Search, we speak to senior leaders and candidates every day. Their message is clear: the traditional value proposition is no longer enough. Compensation, while important, is no longer the deciding factor.

To win top talent, companies must rethink how they present themselves — not just as employers, but as destinations for leadership, impact, and purpose.

The Executive Mindset Has Changed

Today’s leaders are highly selective. Here’s what they’re really looking for:

1. Purpose and Values

Senior professionals want to align with companies that stand for something. Sustainability, ethical operations, and long-term thinking matter — especially in packaging, where ESG pressures are reshaping the supply chain.

“I want to be part of something that actually makes a difference.” – Candidate, VP Operations, Sustainable Packaging

2. Workplace Flexibility

Hybrid and remote options are now an expectation, not a perk. Leaders expect autonomy in where and how they work — and judge employers on their adaptability.

3. Leadership Development & Growth

Top talent isn’t looking for a static role. They want to grow, evolve, and lead broader transformation. Companies that offer clear leadership pathways and continuous development are winning the war for talent.

Fact: 45% of senior leaders in packaging roles prioritize companies that offer robust professional development programs. (Source: Athena Candidate Survey, 2025)

Athena Insight: What Your Company Can Do

To stand out in a competitive talent market, consider the following:

Clarify Your EVP (Employer Value Proposition)

Why should a top executive choose you? Get crystal clear on what sets your company apart — and communicate it at every touchpoint, from your careers page to your interview process.

Prioritize Growth Conversations

Don’t wait until onboarding to discuss development. From your first meeting, show candidates how they’ll grow, contribute, and lead change in your organization.

Build a Flexible Leadership Culture

Flexibility doesn’t mean compromising standards. It means building trust, offering support, and rethinking how productivity is measured. In today’s world, adaptable leadership is smart leadership.

Case Study: Strategic CFO Placement

Athena recently partnered with a global packaging company seeking a CFO with experience in sustainable transformation. Beyond financial expertise, the candidate was deeply values-driven and looking for a role where they could shape long-term impact.

By aligning the company’s EVP with the candidate’s goals, we secured a hire that was not only qualified — but committed.

Result: A strong cultural fit, seamless integration, and long-term placement success.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, your employer brand is your talent strategy. It’s not enough to post a role and hope the right person applies. Companies that lead in executive hiring are those that invest in understanding their audience and adapting to meet them.

At Athena, we help you bridge the gap between where you are today and the kind of leadership team you need tomorrow.

Ready to Build a Better Leadership Pipeline?

If you’re hiring or planning for future growth, we’d love to help.

Reach out for a confidential consultation. Subscribe to The Athena Client Brief for more insights: Subscribe on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7326186128158429184

360-Degree Feedback – Why You Should Be Using It

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Feedback is an essential part of business, especially for Print and Packaging businesses that employ large teams who work together. If you want to improve the communication levels in your business, here is everything you need to know about 360-degree feedback – and why you should be using it.

What Is 360-Degree Feedback

360-degree feedback is feedback that comes from many different levels. Instead of one employee receiving feedback from their manager, they would receive feedback from a variety of people, including peers, managers, other workers, customers or stakeholders. This gives more accurate feedback that includes everyone’s needs and opinions, so the employee can significantly improve their performance and skills.

How a Printing and Packaging Company Can Benefit from using it

One of the main benefits of 360-degree feedback is that you can assess an employee’s performance from multiple people’s perspectives. This is very useful, as it is possible that one manager is unaware of an employee’s bad habits, so they may not point them out. However, a co-worker or a customer may be aware of these issues, and 360-degree feedback gives them the chance to air these so that any problems can be solved.

This is especially useful for employees who work in a busy environment, as teamwork and mutual understanding are essential parts of the business

It also gives employees more power rather than just allowing managers to make decisions. This means that employees will feel more valued and appreciated. It also means that they are less likely to have problems in the workplace, as they are able to air their grievances.

How to Prepare Employees 

It is important to discuss the benefits of 360-degree feedback before implementing it, as this means that employees will be fully aware of how it works. You should take the time to state that any feedback will be anonymous, so employees don’t feel worried about giving it, and you should also say that the system isn’t being implemented to make employees feel under scrutiny. It is being implemented to improve the workplace for everyone.

You should also take some time to sit down with the managers to prepare them for the results of 360-degree feedback. Many managers are not used to receiving feedback from the employees that they manage, and so they may feel attacked and worried about any negative feedback that they get. Thankfully, proper training and an anonymous system should remove any worries that your managers have.

Starting 360-Degree Feedback

Once all of the employees have been informed about 360-degree feedback, you can start to implement it. You should set clear rules to ensure that no one abuses the feedback system – for example, you may want to set one day of the week for when employees can leave feedback rather than every day of the week.

Athena Executive Search specialise in recruiting senior leadership positions in the Print and Packaging sectors globally. For access to more articles on industry topics, recruitment and retention strategies, and our upcoming webinar series with industry thought leaders please subscribe here:  https://athena50147.activehosted.com/f/1

What are the secrets of great leadership?

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Great leadership depends upon our level of self-awareness, our willingness to learn and our acceptance that our actions and attitude influence everyone around us. When we assume a leadership role, all of our behaviour counts. Our ability to recognise and develop the qualities we naturally possess and a willingness to develop and improve upon those we don’t is what separates ordinary leaders from the great.

Collaborate and congratulate

Work with your staff, not above them. Avoid using your position as leader as the driving influence behind getting things done. Treat your staff as colleagues rather than minions and they will feel empowered to share their ideas. It costs you nothing to smile and greet staff as you go about your day. This essential courtesy practised consistently, transforms office culture. Support your team by listening to them, congratulating and thanking them for their dedication and effort.

A great leader listens; they never assume they are the most intelligent person in the room merely because of their job title. And indeed they rarely are.

Authentic, human and humble

You want your staff to succeed. You’re happy to take a backseat and give them their moment, and the recognition and rewards they deserve. You know your team, which is reinforced as you say hello as you pass each other in the hall. You do not pry; you are aware that Tom is coaching his son for his GCSE exams, and Martha is training for the marathon. You acknowledge that staff have lives and interests outside work. Your team feels valued and genuinely cared for. With the global war for talent, authentic relationships make all the difference.

A great leader enjoys a balanced lifestyle. They work hard and take their time away from work seriously too. Whether its active involvement with the family or indulging in a favourite hobby, they know they make better leadership decisions if they are not over saturated with the pressures of the job.

Creative, confidence and focused

Your team knows you’re friendly, courteous and set a consistent example of acceptable behaviour. They also know you’re not easily fooled or manipulated. You navigate your team towards company goals and your team know they are in expert hands, no matter what the circumstances. Of course, there will be those days where everything appears to go wrong. On those days, you remain calm and exude confidence. It’s your job to keep the ship on course – and your team is led by your attitude and behaviour as much as they are by your direction. Your communication style is clear; your team understands what is expected. Do not hesitate to weed out under performing staff who cannot keep up. Timing is crucial; don’t wait.

A great leader thinks creatively. Part of this creative thinking is knowing the difference between what is right and what is easy. A level head and strong sense of perspective focused on company goals get the job done. Throughout it all your team seeks guidance from you. Where do you go for your inspiration? It’s important you have a healthy perspective on your past experience to draw from, in addition to seeking out your own mentors’ wisdom to guide you.

Athena Executive Search specialise in recruiting senior leadership positions in the Print and Packaging sectors globally. For access to more articles on industry topics, recruitment and retention strategies, and our upcoming webinar series with industry thought leaders please subscribe here: https://athena50147.activehosted.com/f/1

Why your CV is probably being ignored

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The print and packaging job market has always been a competitive environment. Not only are we competing with other applicants for a role, we are also competing for attention. Employers (and recruiters) seek candidates focused on their career, not someone merely going through the motions of looking for another job. Here are the simple mistakes holding you back, and straightforward feedback as to why your CV isn’t commanding interviews.

All or nothing

Finding a job is a serious business. Often we start too small and stay there, then wonder why the phone isn’t ringing. By ‘small’ we mean unfocused. Little things give you away. Phrases such as “I’m putting feelers out”, casual coffee chats with industry contacts “to see what’s out there”, or sending out your CV to “see what happens”. This casual tone leaks into your CV and covering letter. Would you hire a distracted manager to run one of your talented teams?

There’s a reason we call the process job ‘hunting’. The search for your next role requires focused commitment and an investment of your time. To modify the famous RAF quote: time spent in consideration is seldom wasted. Especially when it comes to finding the role you want. You’re an experienced, talented, multi skilled candidate with so much to offer your target company in the print and packaging industry.

Can you read me?

Never underestimate the power of asking someone you trust to read your CV. They don’t need to have industry experience – in fact their lack of experience will be the key to unlocking your CV. Ask them to answer the following: does your CV makes sense (grammar), is it easy to read (layout) and – crucially – does it sound like you (tone). Listen to what they have to say. Remember: what’s obvious to you isn’t necessarily obvious to others. Your experience is your expertise; this is an opportunity to share your knowledge. Clarity and brevity are essential. Keep an open mind when receiving feedback and make the necessary changes. There’s no excuse for careless grammar, a disengaged tone or formatting errors at this stage of your career.

What are you saying?

Everyone knows they need to tailor their CV and covering letter for each job applied for. This should be your signal to go the extra mile and separate yourself from the competition. Take a step back and look at how your existing skills align with the job you want. Consider how to frame your skills in relation to your experience and the role. Look at what you are saying. What do your words communicate about you, your experience and professional goals? How are your skills a good marriage with the job?

Include statistics to back up business improvement claims made in your CV, such as performance and sales. Qualify your claims – make it easy for the person reading your CV to see that you can do the job. Mention skills you want to develop. You are a manager keen to continue learning as technology evolves. Make yourself relevant now and into the future.

Ultimately, if you don’t capture why your skills, experience, management style and vision are what a company is looking for, who will?

Athena Executive Search specialise in recruiting senior leadership positions in the Print and Packaging sectors globally. For advice on how to put together a great CV please get in touch. For access to more articles on industry topics, recruitment and retention strategies, and our upcoming webinar series with industry thought leaders please subscribe here: https://athena50147.activehosted.com/f/1

10 Interview mistakes, avoiding them, and how to dazzle the interview panel

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So your CV has fought its way to the top of the pile, and you have been selected for an interview. Congratulations – it is a tough job market out there. But after drinking the champagne and jumping around the room, it is time to get to work and prepare yourself. You will need to put in some work if you want to ace that interview.

  1. Be authentic. Trying to be anything else is exhausting and they will find out eventually anyway. Lying, or attempting to be something you really aren’t will result in a disconnect that will probably alienate your interviewers as well. Just don’t do it – it is too easy to do background checks.
  2. Refresh your memory about what the job is, and why you said you would be good at it. Think of examples where you have solved problems or added value in a situation that you can relate to the job you want.
  3. Preparation is everything, so do more research. If you want a position in the exciting Print and Packaging industry, for example, then make sure you do plenty of research about the sector, and in particular, find out more about which segment the company you wish to join operates in.
  4. Do your research. Don’t even think about turning up to the interview without doing due diligence on the company that is interviewing you. Read everything, prepare to explain why you would be an asset to them, and of course have intelligent questions to ask (and not just about how much you will be paid, or when you can take a holiday). For more background  read some trade publications, the company website, any press releases particularly concerning recent acquisitions etc. Watch company videos on YouTube which often give an insight into “behind the scenes” within a target company.
  5. Be punctual. Lateness will make a terrible first impression that you can never rectify. Again, research where you have to be, estimate how long it will take to get there – and double it. Leave at least that much time for the journey.
  6.  Look the part. Think about your personal presentation, i.e. wardrobe. What kind of image would the person who gets this job be projecting? If you appear polished, this should help convince the interviewers and help you exude calm, collected confidence. As you arrived early, you will have plenty of time to freshen up.
  7. Don’t criticise other workplaces, or former bosses, as this will be perceived as negative and disloyal.
  8. Expect tough questions. Expect to be asked about how you deal with conflict, and prepare some professional examples that will demonstrate how you can resolve work difficulties – and that doesn’t mean fighting over the last doughnut in the tea room.
  9. Be polite. No matter how anyone on the panel behaves, conduct yourself with poise and courtesy to show them what a classy act you are.
  10. Do your homework. If you bring documents or case studies to support your professional achievements, then make sure they are presented impeccably. Find out how many people will be on the panel and bring copies for everyone, and a couple extra, just in case.

Athena Executive Search specialise in recruiting senior leadership positions in the Print and Packaging sectors globally. For interview tips and advice please contact us. For access to more articles on industry topics, recruitment and retention strategies, and our upcoming webinar series with industry thought leaders please subscribe here: https://athena50147.activehosted.com/f/1 

 

Hiring Leadership in a Candidate-Short Market: What’s Really Changed

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The leadership hiring market has shifted—and not subtly.

Across industries, organisations are facing a persistent shortage of senior talent at the very moment when strong leadership matters most. Growth agendas, transformation programmes, and succession risks are colliding with a market where the best candidates are not actively looking.

In this environment, traditional hiring approaches fall short. Successful leadership appointments now depend on three critical realities: access to passive talent, a compelling employer value proposition, and a clear-eyed understanding of market conditions.

1. The Real Market Is Passive

At the leadership level, the strongest candidates are rarely scanning job boards or responding to adverts. They are performing, progressing, and selectively listening—if at all.

This means leadership hiring has become less about “filling a vacancy” and more about engaging an audience that isn’t looking. Organisations that rely solely on inbound applications risk seeing a very narrow—and often misaligned—talent pool.

Effective executive search in a candidate-short market requires:

  • Proactive identification of leaders who are succeeding in comparable or adjacent environments

  • Discreet, credibility-led outreach that sparks curiosity rather than urgency

  • Time and care invested in building trust before discussing opportunity

Without this, companies often default to “available” rather than “exceptional.”

2. Your Employer Value Proposition Is Under the Microscope

Senior leaders are making more considered career decisions than ever before. Compensation still matters—but it is rarely the deciding factor.

What passive candidates want to understand is:

  • Purpose: Why does this role exist now? What problem am I being hired to solve?

  • Mandate: How much real authority will I have to lead and influence change?

  • Culture: What is rewarded, tolerated, and truly valued at the top of the organisation?

  • Trajectory: Where does this role lead—in 18 months, in five years, and beyond?

In a candidate-short market, organisations are no longer just assessing talent. Talent is assessing them.

A clear, authentic employer value proposition—one that goes beyond slogans and speaks honestly about challenges as well as opportunities—has become a decisive advantage.

3. Market Realism Is Non-Negotiable

One of the biggest barriers to successful leadership hiring today is misalignment between expectations and market reality.

This often shows up as:

  • Role briefs that combine multiple senior positions into one

  • Compensation benchmarks based on historic, not current, data

  • Timelines that underestimate how long it takes to engage passive leaders

Market realism does not mean lowering standards. It means understanding what it truly takes to secure the calibre of leadership you are seeking—and being prepared to compete for it.

Organisations that adapt quickly, remain open to adjacent skill sets, and partner with search firms who provide honest market insight consistently outperform those who don’t.

The Bottom Line

In a candidate-short market, leadership hiring is no longer transactional. It is strategic, consultative, and deeply human.

Those who succeed are the organisations willing to:

  • Look beyond active candidates

  • Clearly articulate why a leader should join—and stay

  • Align ambition with market reality

At Athena Executive Search, we work alongside boards and executive teams to navigate exactly these challenges—connecting organisations with leaders who are not just qualified, but genuinely aligned.

Call to Action

If you are planning a critical leadership hire—or reassessing your leadership pipeline in today’s market—we’d welcome a confidential conversation.

Let’s talk about what exceptional leadership looks like for your organisation, and how to secure it.

Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com