The Proactive Executive: A C-Suite Recruiter's 5-Step System for Achieving Greater Career Success

“An exceptional map for understanding the actions, decisions, market positioning and personal development that ultimately determine whether we have effectively managed our careers or fallen short." ~ John Koryl, President, Neiman Marcus Stores & Online

Widespread acceptance of hybrid work models coupled with the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence are profoundly reshaping industries, corporate cultures, job requirements, and business and management practices. Not since the early Internet era have business professionals been so challenged. Effectively navigating one's career amid such profound changes requires specific, proven career-management strategies. That's why The Proactive Executive has never been more important.

As a nationally respected executive recruiter, author Chris Nadherny knows what it takes for professionals to get to the next level, and what holds them back. During his 30 years with Spencer Stuart—one of the world’s top executive recruiting firms—Nadherny conducted more than 700 search assignments for a wide-range of companies, assessed thousands of successful professionals, and counseled many whose career paths were being disrupted or threatened by technological advances.

In The Proactive Executive, Nadherny has created a highly effective five-step framework for mid-career professionals who want to advance their careers more swiftly, experience greater job satisfaction, optimize their marketable skills, and boost their compensation. Packed with actionable guidance, real-world stories, and insider knowledge, The Proactive Executive explains how to build key skills, assess job opportunities, develop self-awareness, and obtain a position of senior-level responsibility.

"Careers are a personal journey of discovery, Chris Nadherny's book, The Proactive Executive, provides an exceptional map for understanding the actions, decisions, market positioning and personal development that ultimately determine whether we have effectively managed our careers or fallen short of 'what could have been'. His book is one that should certainly be read sooner rather than later!"

John Koryl, President, Neiman Marcus Stores & Online

"Having read and prescribed many career books, this would be my absolute top choice. The author's perspective is unique in that his vast executive search experience provides insight both from a company's view as well as from the prospective executive. Together, they form a mosaic of what really defines exceptional talent and how this should guide one's career decisions. Chris Nadherny has created a career management reference guide that will prove invaluable for many aspiring executives in the years to come."

Fred Ley, SVP Corporate HR and Global Talent Management and Acquisition, Walmart, Inc.

"In 'Proactive Executive' Chris Nadherny has consolidated his decades of learnings in the executive search business to create an invaluable blueprint for optimizing your career. His book is packed full of insights, practical how-to's and suggestions for aspiring C-suite professionals. The lessons that he shares are particularly relevant in today's ultra-competitive marketplace."

Jody Bilney, SVP and Chief Consumer Officer, Humana, Inc.

"Want help in improving your career? Then read this book before it's too late. Chris Nadherny turns 30 years of executive search experience into a reference guide that offers invaluable advice for executives at every stage of their careers."

Gian Fulgoni, ‎Co-Founder & CEO at comScore, Inc.

"Chris Nadherny shares his considerable experience as a national C-suite recruiter to capture the most critical, but often overlooked, elements of professional development and career planning in his book, "The Proactive Executive".  His book is full of proven and practical advice, insights, how-to's, action steps and real life case studies to guide your journey. A great read!"

Kimberly Williams, CEO, Consumer Safety Technologies

"Today as you move up an organization or change companies in a leadership position, you need the total package.  Chris Nadherny outlines the steps needed to prepare yourself in advance for a significant career move, and to make sure it is the right one. Importantly, his approach makes these difficult steps achievable."

Roger Adams, Chief Marketing Officer, Fortune 500 diversified financial services company, Board Member, Association of National Advertisers.

"Read this book! No fluff here.  Only practical tools and 'hard' career management skills that are guaranteed to result in positive career and personal growth. This is a 'go to' resource successful executives can pick up throughout their careers."

John Seebeck, VP and General Manager ECommerce, CDW, Inc.

"Physician heal thyself hasn't typically been relevant advice for business executives. Until now. Chris Nadherny's 'Proactive Executive' does just that. This book reminds smart, strategic, and effective executives, who have mastered goal setting, planning, execution and monitoring, to apply these very talents to managing their own careers. Starting with the most important trait, self-awareness, Chris brings evidence in the form of examples and cases proving the qualities, and then the strategic actions that he's seen work over a stellar career of his own in executive search."

Tom Collinger, Executive Director Medill IMC/Spiegel Digital and Database Research Initiative, Northwestern University