Executive Leadership Assessment — A Case Study

Whether a government organization, a Fortune 500 company or a mid-sized firm, selecting the right executive leaders is critical to an organization’s success. With executive decisions driving strategic growth and operational performance, the pressure to appoint capable leaders has never been higher. Yet, many organizations rely on subjective judgment or incomplete data, leading to costly missteps. 

The stakes are high: 

• 50% to 70% of executives and senior leaders fail within the first 18 months of promotion: This failure rate underscores the need for data-driven selection and robust leadership support. 

• 74% of companies feel unprepared for an unplanned or emergency CEO exit: Leadership gaps can disrupt performance and growth, leaving organizations vulnerable. 

• Organizations with very effective talent management practices are 6x more likely to achieve higher total shareholder returns (TSR): This statistic emphasizes how critical leadership assessments are as part of a comprehensive talent management strategy, directly impacting organizational success and financial performance. 

These statistics reveal the importance of proactive talent management. Without comprehensive assessments, organizations risk leadership failures that negatively impact performance, engagement, profitability and long-term success. Investing in assessments ensures that leaders are equipped with the right skills and mindset to navigate complex challenges. 

This blog explores what executive leadership assessments are, their benefits, the risks of not investing in them and why partnering with an external expert like Right Management is essential. We’ll also share a real-life case study showcasing our proven success. 

What Are Assessments? 

Executive leadership assessments are comprehensive, data-driven tools that evaluate an individual’s leadership potential, competencies and readiness for senior roles. Designed to provide unbiased, objective insights, these assessments use scientifically validated methods to measure both cognitive abilities and behavioral traits. They ensure a thorough evaluation of critical leadership qualities, such as decision-making, problem-solving and emotional intelligence. With their focus on fairness and accuracy, leadership assessments offer organizations the confidence to make informed, strategic decisions about their senior leadership candidates.  

These assessments typically include a variety of tools that work together to provide a holistic view of a candidate’s fit and potential for a leadership role, as well as areas for development: 

• Psychometric Tests: These measure cognitive abilities, personality traits and leadership behaviors. By assessing how individuals think, make decisions and respond to stress, organizations gain insight into their potential for success. 

• 360-Degree Feedback: Collecting input from peers, direct reports and supervisors offers a well-rounded perspective on a leader’s strengths, development areas and overall effectiveness. 

• Behavioral Interviews: Structured interviews explore past behaviors as indicators of future success. By examining real-life examples, organizations can assess a candidate’s problem-solving, communication and decision-making skills. 

• Simulations and Case Studies: Realistic scenarios assess a candidate’s ability to make strategic decisions, lead teams and manage complex situations under pressure. 

From Enhanced Leadership Development to Improved Talent Retention: The Benefits of Assessments 

Organizations that invest in executive leadership assessment gain several key advantages: 

• Objective Decision-Making: By reducing bias and focusing on validated criteria, assessments ensure that executive selections are fair and data-driven. This objectivity leads to better decisions and stronger teams. 

• Identification of High-Potential Leaders: Assessments help pinpoint individuals with the skills, mindset and drive needed to excel in senior roles. This proactive approach improves succession planning and ensures a steady pipeline of capable leaders, even when the unpredictable happens. 

• Alignment with Organizational Goals: By evaluating candidates against competencies aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives, assessments ensure that leaders are equipped to drive growth and innovation. 

• Enhanced Leadership Development: Assessments identify specific development needs, enabling tailored growth plans that accelerate leadership readiness and long-term success. This strengthens leadership pipelines with future-ready leaders. 

• Improved Talent Retention and Employee Engagement: Leaders who are well-matched to their roles experience greater job satisfaction, leading to lower turnover and higher engagement. This, in turn, drives better performance for both the executive and the teams they lead.  

• Supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives: Unbiased assessments ensure that hiring decisions are based on merit and skill, helping organizations build more diverse and inclusive leadership teams. With diverse leadership teams, organizations enhance performance and boost profitability, giving them a competitive edge. 

• Increasing Leadership Performance and Overall Organizational Effectiveness: Leaders who are well-matched to their roles tend to be more effective in driving success. Assessments help identify candidates with the right competencies to manage teams, lead change and execute strategic goals.  

From High Failure Rates to a Weak Leadership Pipeline: The Risks of Not Investing in Assessments  

Failing to invest in executive leadership assessments carries significant risks: 

• Higher Failure Rates: Without data-driven insights, organizations are more likely to promote leaders who lack the critical competencies needed to succeed, producing lower organizational performance. 

• Weakened Leadership Pipeline and Poor Succession Planning: Without a robust talent pipeline, organizations struggle to fill leadership roles during unplanned transitions, creating instability and slowing growth. 

• Reduced Organizational Performance: Poor leadership negatively impacts employee morale, productivity, profitability and overall performance, leading to missed opportunities and declining results. 

• Costly Turnover: Leadership missteps often result in costly turnover, disrupting operations and increasing recruitment expenses. 

• Significant Financial Losses: A bad leadership hiring decision can cost an organization millions in lost productivity, decreased morale and eventual replacement costs. The impact extends beyond salary and benefits to include lost opportunities.   

• Reputation Damage: Leadership failures can harm an organization’s reputation, affecting stakeholder confidence and making it harder to attract top talent. Making the right leadership choice with unbiased assessments drastically mitigates this risk.  

Why Partner with an External Expert in Leadership Assessments  

Collaborating with an external assessment provider offers several distinct advantages, including: 

• Unbiased Evaluation: External assessors provide thought leadership and objective assessments free from internal politics. This ensures fair and accurate evaluations, aligned with organizational goals and objectives. 

• Proven Methodologies: Using research-backed tools and validated best practices, external experts deliver reliable insights that organizations can trust. 

• Benchmarking and Best Practices: By comparing candidates against industry benchmarks, external providers help organizations identify areas for improvement and build more competitive leadership teams. 

• Scalability and Consistency: Global providers ensure consistent assessments across regions, enabling organizations to maintain high standards worldwide. 

Why Right Management Is Your Ideal Partner for Executive Leadership Assessment 

With over 40 years of experience, Right Management is a global leader in talent management solutions, specializing in identifying, developing and retaining top-tier leaders. As a trusted partner to organizations across industries, we combine deep expertise in leadership assessments with a comprehensive range of services designed to foster long-term success. Our proven methodologies and scientifically validated tools are backed by the latest research and tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. 

We offer end-to-end solutions that empower organizations to unlock their leadership potential, from initial assessments and development planning to coaching and ongoing support. Our global presence and local expertise ensure that we can meet your talent needs wherever you operate. With a focus on strategic alignment, measurable results and customized solutions, Right Management is your go-to partner for executive leadership development. 

Whether a government organization or a for-profit company, the following demonstrates why Right Management is your ideal partner for delivering executive leadership assessments:  

Custom-Built Assessment Solutions: Our leadership assessments are tailored to your organization’s culture, business objectives and role-specific requirements, ensuring a precise executive fit for your unique needs. 

Science-Driven Psychometric Tools: We leverage industry-leading psychometric tools like the Hogan Assessment to deliver objective, research-backed insights. This ensures our clients gain accurate, unbiased data that empowers confident, strategic decisions. 

Unmatched Expertise: 95% of our expert accessors have advanced degrees, and 75% are industrial-organizational (I/O) psychologists. As certified Hogan practitioners, our assessors bring deep expertise in leadership evaluation and executive development. 

Scalable Solutions for Organizations of All Sizes: Our scalable assessment solutions scale with you, no matter if you are a global company, a mid-size organization or a government institution. For worldwide companies, we have a presence in more than 200 countries, ensuring consistent results globally while meeting your unique needs at every stage of growth. 

Actionable, Data-Driven Insights: Our assessments provide clear, practical recommendations that help organizations make informed hiring and development decisions with confidence. 

Proven Success and Client Satisfaction: With a world-class Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 85, our results speak for themselves. This score reflects the exceptional quality of our services and the trust we’ve earned from clients worldwide. 

Building a Sustainable Leadership Pipeline with Leadership Assessments: A Right Management Case Study 

The following real-world example illustrates the impact of our tailored assessments. This case study highlights how Right Management helped a regional government organization in Canada strengthen its leadership pipeline and ensure long-term leadership sustainability. The results speak for themselves, showcasing how our executive leadership assessment strategy contributed to building a robust pipeline of leaders capable of meeting future organizational needs. 

The Challenge: 
A regional government needed to identify candidates for its Senior Leadership Development Program. With a workforce of 60,000 and impending retirements, building a robust leadership pipeline was essential. 

Our Solution: 
Right Management implemented annual assessments that included behavioral interviews and psychometric tests. Participants received personalized feedback and career development discussions, helping them understand their strengths and development areas. 

The Results: 

• Maintained a strong leadership pipeline capable of meeting organizational needs for 18-24 months. 

• Identified 500 candidates ready for senior roles over seven years. 

• Over 90% of participants reported high satisfaction with the program, highlighting the effectiveness of the assessments. 

Move Forward with Right Management: Invest in Executive Leadership Assessment for Your Organization 

Executive leadership assessments are essential for selecting the right leaders and building a robust pipeline. By leveraging data-driven insights, organizations reduce leadership failures, improve performance, boost profitability and ensure long-term success. 

Right Management is the trusted partner you need, whether your organization is for- or non-profit. With decades of experience, proven methodologies and scalable solutions, we deliver best-in-class insights and support that help you identify and develop executives and senior leaders.