Executive search is more than just finding the right candidate for a senior role; it's about shaping the future leadership of organisations and aligning talent strategies with evolving business landscapes. For companies in Thailand and across Southeast Asia, staying competitive in today’s fast-paced market means keeping abreast of the latest executive search trends. Executive recruitment firms such as JacksonGrant provide invaluable insights into these trends, helping businesses navigate the complexities of leadership transitions and talent acquisition.
Having recently attended both the AESC 2024 Singapore Global Conference "Innovation Ignited" and the IIC Partner's Global Conference, I’ve gathered key insights from leading experts and industry players. These events highlighted some of the most critical trends in executive search, particularly in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Let’s dive into the major executive search trends shaping the future of leadership and talent acquisition.
Trend #1 Leadership in APAC: Cultivating Visionary Leadership in a Diverse Region
The APAC region is experiencing rapid growth and change. By 2030, Asia Pacific is projected to contribute two-thirds of global growth, according to LinkedIn's 2023 Talent Connect report. As a result, organisations are on the hunt for visionary leaders who can navigate the complex and diverse cultural, economic, and regulatory landscape of the region.
Leadership in APAC is not just about managing business operations but also understanding the nuances of different markets and cultural dynamics. This was a major theme at the AESC Singapore Global Conference, where we explored the importance of leaders who can embrace diversity and use it as a competitive advantage.
Jeongmin Seong from McKinsey stressed that Asia is on the cusp of a new era, characterised by disruptive technologies, evolving customer behaviours, and a shift towards sustainability. Leadership must evolve to meet these new challenges, requiring not just strategic vision but also agility and adaptability. Executive search firms, like JacksonGrant Executive, are uniquely positioned to identify leaders who embody these qualities, ensuring that companies have the right talent to thrive in this new era.
Trend #2 Leading with Cultural Intelligence
One of the standout topics from the AESC conference was the importance of cultural intelligence (CQ) in leadership. As JacksonGrant Executive’s Dr Larry Persons, a renowned expert in cross-cultural leadership, regularly states, leaders who possess high levels of CQ are better equipped to navigate the complexities of a multicultural workforce. This is especially crucial in the APAC region, where companies often operate across multiple countries with vastly different cultural norms.
Cultural intelligence goes beyond basic cultural awareness. It involves understanding and leveraging cultural differences to drive innovation and collaboration within an organisation. Executive search firms are increasingly prioritising CQ in their candidate evaluations, recognising that leaders with strong CQ are better able to foster inclusive environments, build trust, and lead diverse teams effectively.
At JacksonGrant Executive, we’ve integrated CQ assessments into our “Executive Launchpad” search process to ensure that our clients are matched with leaders who not only excel in their fields but are also adept at navigating cultural complexities. As Southeast Asia continues to emerge as a global business hub, the demand for culturally intelligent leaders will only grow.
Trend #3 Asia on the Cusp of a New Era: Insights from McKinsey
Asia is entering a transformative period, driven by rapid technological advancements, shifting economic power, and changing consumer demands. Jeongmin Seong, a Senior Partner at McKinsey, provided a detailed analysis of these shifts during the AESC’s Global Conference in September 2024. He emphasised the need for companies in the region to stay ahead by embracing innovation and developing new strategies to meet the evolving needs of the market.
This is where executive search trends come into play. Companies are looking for leaders who are not only capable of managing the present but who can also anticipate future disruptions and opportunities. At JacksonGrant Executive, we recognise the need for leaders with the vision to guide organisations through this transformation. Our search processes are designed to identify those with a deep understanding of the market, as well as the foresight to drive growth in an ever-changing landscape.
Trend #4 The Effective Application of AI in Executive Search
The role of technology in executive search has evolved significantly in recent years, and artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this transformation. The effective application of AI in executive search was a key discussion point at both the AESC and IIC Partner’s conferences. AI is revolutionising the way we identify and evaluate top talent, from automating candidate sourcing to improving the accuracy of assessments.
However, while AI brings significant advantages, it’s essential to apply it judiciously. As we discussed during the conference, AI is not a replacement for the human touch but a tool that enhances the search process. At JacksonGrant Executive, we use AI-driven tools to analyse large datasets, identify potential candidates, and assess key leadership traits. This allows us to present our clients with a more refined list of candidates who are not only technically qualified but also aligned with their organisational values and leadership culture.
AI also plays a crucial role in mitigating biases in the recruitment process. By using algorithms to analyse objective data, we can reduce unconscious bias and ensure that every candidate is evaluated based on their skills, experience, and potential. This is particularly important in the APAC region, where diversity in leadership is a growing focus.
JacksonGrant Executive is already implementing AI-driven automation across our workflow to boost search process clarity and real time communication on progress with clients.
The future also provides exciting opportunities for executive search firms to support their client using large context LLM’s to synthesise huge amounts of industry talent data for strategic insights and implement AI programmes for scenario planning and risk assessment of executive placements.
Trend #5 Leadership Coaching and Onboarding: The Executive Launchpad
Another trend gaining momentum is the increased focus on leadership development and onboarding. Executive search is no longer just about identifying the right candidate—it’s about ensuring that they are set up for long-term success within the organisation. This is why JacksonGrant’s unique Executive Launchpad service is gaining traction.
The Executive Launchpad combines in-house search, assessment, and coaching to provide a comprehensive, integrated introduction and onboarding experience for our client’s executive appointments. This approach ensures that new leaders are not only a good fit for the organisation but are also equipped with the tools and support they need to thrive in their new roles. As executive search firms expand their services beyond recruitment, we’re seeing a growing demand for these holistic solutions.
This is embodied in the success metrics we track, including long term candidate placement stick rates and career promotions within our client’s organisations.
Trend #6 Staying Competitive: The shifting landscape of the leadership and talent ecosystem
In addition to the key trends previously discussed, the leadership and talent ecosystem has expanded significantly, reflecting the increasing complexities of the modern business environment. Today’s executive search firms are not only focused on traditional recruitment but also on a holistic approach to leadership and talent management. This includes board assessments to ensure governance effectiveness, succession planning to secure the future of leadership pipelines, and the provision of interim or on-demand talent for businesses facing sudden changes or needs.
Additionally, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consulting has become a critical component of the recruitment process, helping organisations build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Furthermore, there is a growing emphasis on developing the next generation of leaders through targeted coaching and mentoring programmes, ensuring that organisations are not only filling current vacancies but also nurturing future talent.
By embracing these expanded services, executive search firms like JacksonGrant Executive can better support clients in cultivating a robust leadership framework that aligns with their strategic goals. The executive search landscape is constantly evolving, and staying competitive requires businesses to keep up with the latest trends.
For organisations in Thailand and Southeast Asia, this means working with executive search firms that not only understand the local market but also have a global perspective. As the Thailand and Southeast Asia representative office for IIC Partners, JacksonGrant Executive offers both local expertise and access to a vast global network of talent.
IIC Partners’ global reach provides our clients with a competitive edge, allowing them to tap into international talent pools and benefit from the latest global trends in executive recruitment. Whether it’s identifying leaders with cross-cultural competencies, leveraging AI for smarter talent acquisition, or providing ongoing leadership development, JacksonGrant Executive is at the forefront of these trends, helping businesses stay ahead in the race for top executive talent.
Conclusion
The executive search industry is evolving rapidly, driven by new technologies, shifting market dynamics, and changing leadership expectations. By staying up to date with the latest executive search trends, organisations can ensure they remain competitive in the talent market. JacksonGrant Executive is committed to helping businesses in Thailand and Southeast Asia navigate these trends, providing expert insights and innovative solutions that align with the future of leadership in the region.
From embracing cultural intelligence to leveraging AI and offering comprehensive onboarding services, we’re focused on securing the best executive talent and supporting their success. Staying ahead in the world of executive search means being agile, forward-thinking, and always ready to adapt to new trends—and JacksonGrant Executive is here to help.
