How Executives Can Position Themselves for the Next Chapter of Their Careers
By Clark R. Beecher, Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Beecher Reagan Advisors
Every day, I hear from professional services, private equity, and digital and technology services executives who are exploring their next leadership role. Some immediately gain traction, while others struggle to stand out. The difference isn’t just experience—it’s how they position themselves in the market.
For executives in professional services and beyond, the reality is that career advancement has changed. Recruiters, boards, and investors are looking for leaders who combine strategic vision with measurable outcomes, resilient leadership, and strong networks.
If you’re thinking about how to position yourself for the next chapter of your executive career, here are four strategies that consistently separate the most attractive candidates from the rest.
1. Play Offense With Your Career
The best executives don’t wait for opportunities to appear—they create them. That means being known for something specific in your market and staying visible as an industry leader.
Today, technology and AI are changing the way professional services firms, consulting organizations, and corporations operate. Executives who understand how to apply these tools in practical, revenue-driving ways stand out in a crowded marketplace.
But it’s not enough to simply be known. We live in a “what outcomes have you delivered?” world. If you want to be seen as a high-value executive candidate, you should be able to point to:
Revenue growth you’ve driven
New business innovation you’ve launched
Market leadership positions you’ve created
Go-to-market or operating models you’ve transformed
Technology-enabled growth opportunities you’ve monetized
Executives with a proven track record of delivering results—not just managing—are the ones who attract attention from boards, private equity sponsors, and search firms.
2. Don’t Let Your Network Atrophy
One of the biggest mistakes I see is executives who stop building their external networks. They become comfortable in their roles and only start looking outward when they’re ready to make a move. By then, it’s often too late.
There are two networks every executive should continuously cultivate:
Your Personal Network
More than 70% of executive opportunities come through personal connections, not job boards or recruiters. The leaders who consistently get tapped for new opportunities have built strong professional relationships across industries, boards, and peer groups.
A Network of Executive Search Professionals
Staying connected to retained executive search firms keeps you visible when opportunities arise and provides ongoing insight into market trends, compensation benchmarks, and leadership shifts.
Executives who maintain both networks rarely find themselves “stuck” when they’re ready for their next chapter.
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3. Cultivate Followership
When evaluating candidates, one of the clearest signals of leadership strength is followership. Great leaders leave a trail of loyalty behind them—and that matters more than ever in today’s competitive executive search market.
I look for followership in three places:
In the market: Are you recognized as a credible voice in your field? Do peers, media, or industry groups turn to you for insights?
Inside your organization: Who will advocate for you at the executive table when it matters most?
Among your team: Who would follow you if you left?
Followership is often the best indicator of a leader’s ability to create impact beyond their immediate role.
4. Resilience Matters More Than Ever
Markets shift. Strategies change. Entire industries can be disrupted overnight.
The executives who thrive in today’s environment are those who demonstrate resilience and adaptability. They know how to operate in ambiguity, adjust to shifting expectations, and inspire confidence even in uncertain times.
Resilience is one of the most valuable executive leadership skills in the market right now. Private equity firms, consulting partnerships, and corporations alike are looking for leaders who can turn discomfort into confidence and lead their teams through transformation.
FAQs on Executive Career Positioning
Do executive search firms work on behalf of candidates?
Executive search firms, like Beecher Reagan, are hired by clients (firms and companies) to conduct a search to fill a role. When a firm hires us, we get to know them, their culture, and how the role they are looking to fill fits into their next stage of transformation and growth. Once we’ve done that, we’ll go to the market to source candidates exclusive to their role who we believe would make for great fits. While candidates don’t directly hire us, building relationships with professionals at executive search firms is a recommended practice.
What makes an executive candidate stand out to search firms?
Search firms are looking for executives with demonstrated experience, outcomes, and followership. Not just that you were part of a growth journey, but the specific role that you played and the decisions you made that impacted the outcomes. If you can clearly articulate how you’ve driven revenue, transformation, or market leadership, you’ll rise above peers with only operational experience.
Why is networking critical for executive career advancement?
Because more than two-thirds of executive opportunities come through personal connections. A strong network ensures you’re top of mind when boards or investors are making decisions, and keeping in touch with professionals in executive search will pay dividends when it comes time to be open to a new opportunity.
How do I balance being known in the market with delivering results inside my firm?
It’s about relevance, and the truth is that the results often speak for themselves. The best executives do both. The most relevant executives deliver measurable impact inside their organizations while building a market presence as thought leaders, speakers, or trusted advisors in their industry and outside of it.
The Bottom Line
The executives who thrive in today’s market play offense with their careers. They define their value, maintain strong networks, cultivate followership, and demonstrate resilience in the face of change.
No matter how volatile the market becomes, leaders who embrace these practices will continue to find opportunity.
At Beecher Reagan Advisors, we specialize in helping professional services and consulting leaders navigate executive transitions and position themselves for long-term success.
