Why Executive Search is a Lot Like Dating

 

Here’s a hot take literally nobody asked for: Executive search and dating are basically the same thing.

Stay with me, friends. 

In both, I see people:

  • Trying to be chosen instead of choosing

  • Ignoring early red flags because “it could still work”

  • Over-functioning to prove their worth

  • Settling too quickly because “what if nothing better comes along?”

  • Mistaking chemistry for actual compatibility

  • Ghosting (we all know this one)

Here’s the deal, though…The early experience is the experience.

If communication is spotty during the hiring process…
If expectations are vague in the interview…
If you’re doing all the work to keep things moving…

That’s not going to magically balance out later. (Yes, I mean in jobs and dating.)

I see this all the time in executive search. Organizations think they’re putting their best foot forward. But what they’re actually doing is giving candidates a pretty accurate preview of what it’s like to work there:

  • How you communicate

  • How you make decisions

  • How much you value people’s time

And that’s the kind of work I love doing with organizations. Helping them slow down just enough to be intentional about that early experience. The kind of experience that makes the right person say, “Ah. Yes. This is it.”

So whether you’re hiring, job searching, or dating, remember this:

  • You get to choose, too. 

  • Mixed signals are still signals.

  • Clear is kind.

If this resonated, it might be worth a closer look at your hiring process. What kind of experience are you actually creating? And what is it signaling to candidates? If you want a thoughtful outside perspective, I’d love to dig into it with you.

Start the Conversation

You may also find our guide helpful: What to Expect During a Nonprofit Executive Search

 
Sarah AudetLeadership