Gary Burnison
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Articles by Gary Burnison
That ‘Something’ We Don’t Want to Hear
“Every time we have a discussion, there’s complete alignment—100 percent buy-in.” It sounded too good to be true—and, as it turned out, it was. I can distinctly remember the interview we conducted with an executive several years ago. When we asked about his process for getting buy-in from others, he couldn’t wait to give an example. “During a meeting with my team, we had a particularly important decision to make. So, I went around to everybody and asked for a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down on my idea.
What Really Matters in a Job Interview
Whenever I interview people, there are specific qualities I’m looking for—the 4Hs. Let’s face it—nobody hires a résumé. They hire people. And people are complex. “I just froze.” And so went an interview as described to me recently by one of my son’s friends. Everything was such a blur. He couldn’t remember a single question—only his spinning head and sinking confidence. He wondered, had the interviewer even glanced at his résumé? Was he just one of many—or truly being given a fair shot?
5 Must-Read Business Books for the Summer
Have you read a book lately? Turns out reading is in again: book sales were up 1% last year, according to Bookscan data. And the summer is the best time for many business leaders to throw a book in their beach bag. We asked our consultants what they are reading and found two themes: the first is actionable steps. Today's unpredictable business environment is not a time for theory or meandering thought leadership; it's the moment for getting it done.
Changing the Conversation
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer It happened recently when I went to the grocery store. Stopping in the restroom to wash my hands, I looked up from the sink to see the door swing open and a young man walk in, wearing a butcher's apron-and carrying a phone in his hand. He headed to the far sink in the corner, propped the phone against the mirror and kept talking, concentrating on whoever was on the screen.
Deflect or Reflect?
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer Yet I still remember that day-and the crack of the bat when one of my friends pulverized the ball with a towering shot in the air. Then suddenly there was a reverberating crash of a window being shattered. Some scattered, not wanting to get caught-others were just too scared to move! But when the adults asked us what happened, that's when the fingers started to point. It wasn't me...
When We Hit the Wall
By Gary Burnison It was years ago, and the concert hall was packed. I had a good seat with a clear view of the stage as the pianist-the star of the show-began to play flawlessly. Then, halfway through Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto, he suddenly stopped. His hands froze on the keys, and he bowed his head. He turned to us and said, "I don't want to play in public anymore." This world-renowned performer had simply hit the wall. Whatever the reason, he could not play one?...?more?...?note.
Our Time to Take Control
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer Mulch, leaves-you name it, I sent it flying! Nothing stood in my way... In the earliest weeks of the pandemic, my wife gave me an electric leaf blower. Totally unexpected from her-and out of character for me. Then came those particularly dark moments in April 2020, when it just seemed like all we had was the hope that "everything will be OK." That's when I went into the backyard and powered it up.
Our Power of Togetherness
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer, Korn Ferry A world of hope, a world of worry, triumph and tragedy, a lingering pandemic, and now even that "R" word looming over us-like the threat of an economic storm front. How long, how strong-who knows? Yet during all the gusts and gales, we need to keep our center and find our balance point. For me, paradoxically perhaps, that's one local grocery store, six cans of soup, and 27 months ago. It was the early days of the pandemic.
In the Moment
By Gary Burnison We felt like we could reach out and touch the stars. A few years ago, my family and I went stargazing in a remote location. Without city lights to obscure our view, every tiny dot of brilliance shone crystal clear. In that moment, as we looked through the telescope, we were awestruck by the countless stars and swirls of the Milky Way. Today, we all need this same cosmic shift in perspective.
Our Brain Games
By Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer Dogs vs. cats. Astronomy vs. astrology. Apples vs. pears. Spider-Man vs. Captain America. It was 11th-grade English class, and as soon as the teacher began writing an endless list of topics on the blackboard, I knew what was coming. The dreaded compare-and-contrast essay. Panicked (the clock was ticking), I divided a piece of paper in half and started writing as fast as I could: similarities on one side and differences on the other.
Perform and Transform
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer It was in a small village, and I was strolling along the cobblestones, deep in conversation with a former world leader who led his country for several years. Suddenly, he shifted his gaze across the street to a woman with a cane-walking slowly and looking around as if confused. Immediately, he went over to her, leaned down, and listened intently. Putting his hand gently on her shoulder, he led her in a different direction.
Our Directive Moment
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer "I want to work from Tahiti." This hadn't been the opening line I expected when I sat down six months ago to talk with the daughter of a friend, who had asked for my advice as she entered the workforce. I had thought we would be discussing what industries or companies might be a good fit. Instead, she began mentioning places around the world-with the assumption that she could work anywhere, and the opportunities would follow.
Our Defining Moment
By Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer, Korn Ferry We've reached a defining moment, one that will shape our future. We know what that feels like-we've had these moments before. When I was 10 years old, I stood at the window on a cold, rainy day as a truck pulled up in front of our house. Two men appeared at our door and carried all our furniture away. My dad had gone bankrupt, and everything was repossessed.
Destination Many
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer When I was about 15 years old, I needed surgery on my foot because of a basketball injury. It was a minor procedure with a local anesthetic. My dad drove me, and on the way home we stopped at the grocery store for a couple of TV dinners. Since I had a cast on my foot, I stayed in the car. I waited and waited, but Dad still didn't come out-I wondered what was keeping him.
Finding Our Footing
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer When I was a kid, basketball season meant one thing-a new set of calluses. We played in Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers-nonstop...blisters turning into calluses. That was the body's instinctive response to friction-forming new, hardened tissue over a wound. But when it comes to calluses, perhaps that's exactly what has happened to all of us today. The world has sent so much change our way over the last three years.
'Did Anyone Tell You How Great You Are Today?'
By Gary Burnison To sod or to seed-that is the question. Years ago, when we bought our first house, we put in a new lawn. Even though I had no idea how, I decided to do it myself: clearing out the weeds, putting in pipes and sprinklers, spreading fertilizer and grass seed, then watering every day. Each morning as I left for work, I'd look at that barren dirt and wonder if anything was ever going to happen. Day after day, I was bummed out.
It's Our Why, Not the Where
By Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer Everyone is trying to figure out the workplace these days. And it's not about the where-it's all about the why. For employees, it's about community and opportunity-how they can be part of something bigger than themselves and receive the coaching, mentoring, and sponsorship they need to advance. For organizations, it's about connection, commitment, and culture-how things get done. To be honest, my own thinking on this has evolved.
Our Better Selves
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer, Korn Ferry While burdens and tragedies are part of life, inescapable aspects of our human condition, paradoxically perhaps, good is still inherent in this world. And that's the essence of our leadership journey-emotionally and sometimes literally helping people process and progress, from one place to another. But in order to lead others, we must first lead ourselves. The change we wish to see in others begins with the person we see in the mirror.
Our Timeless Truth
By: Gary Burnison, Chief Executive Officer The circle of life-like the cycle of business-will always change. But leadership endures. I can remember like it was yesterday, though more than 20 years have passed. My son, Jack, was five years old and had to undergo surgery. In that sterile, white pre-op room, the gravity of it hit when the nurse put the needle in Jack's arm.
Having a Moment
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition. It’s been said—it’s not personal, it’s strictly business. But as we’ve seen so many times—especially over the past five years and across the world—it is personal. “I am surrounded by family and friends tonight and truly believe that tomorrow is the start of a beautiful new chapter. It will get better.
The Trust in All of Us
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition. Trust is an investment, earning interest over time. And one errant withdrawal can lose it all. Yet, being trusting or being trustworthy are actually two different sides of the same coin. Given the number of people we develop—we have seen and heard just about everything.
When Thankful Meets Thoughtful
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition. Life, as in leadership, is not linear. From joy to heartache and all the moments in between. Through it all, the constant is people. There are those who lift us up and stretch us. And, when we need it most—they believe in us. During this season of reflection and giving thanks, it’s probably more natural for people to contemplate what it means to be grateful.
It’s a Choice
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition. Mulch, twigs—you name it, I sent it flying! Nothing stood in my way…. A few years ago, my wife gave me an electric leaf blower. Totally unexpected from her—and out of character for me. But whenever I wanted to clear my mind, that’s when I went into the backyard and powered it up. And this year, as the falling leaves keep multiplying, I’m at it again.
Falling Back, Moving Forward
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition. Holding that watch, I could hear my father’s voice. “You can never turn it back—only forward.” The memory of those words has stayed with me…. Many of us have had to make tough decisions recently. It’s never easy. But the truth is, in any organization, leaders must sometimes make difficult decisions in order to keep moving forward. And that brings me back to the watch.
Our Time for Timeless Leadership
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition. When I was a kid growing up in the Midwest, cooler temperatures and falling leaves signaled a whole set of routines. On the first weekend of October, just like clockwork, we checked the furnace, switched the car tires and raked the yard into endless mountains of yellow, gold, and red. The calendar told the time, and we knew exactly what to do.
When Ambiguity Abounds
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition. “Rocks are hard, water is wet, and the sky is blue.” When I heard these words just the other day, my first thought was—if only leadership was that simple! But it’s not. No doubt all of us probably feel that over the past few years we’ve experienced more change than we’ve seen in our lifetime. But no one has cornered the market on change. And ambiguity knows no timeline or time limit.
Recognition Needs No Holiday
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition. Row after row, rack after rack—hearts and flowers, sunsets and rainbows, pumpkins and cornucopias. And, ironically, most with the same message. While picking out a birthday card recently, I wandered through a dizzying display for every occasion—and in every size, design, font, and ink color.
Owning the Outcome
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition. As the former CEO left the building, he said to his successor, “If you ever get into trouble, check your top desk drawer.” Six months later, the company’s sales stalled. Remembering the advice he had received, the new CEO opened his desk drawer and discovered three envelopes.
When ‘Have to’ Becomes Our ‘Want to’
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Take Control: The Career You Want, Where You Want. The last day of vacation—and all seven of us scrambling to pack and get to the airport on time. Then suddenly, in our rush, somebody knocked over a fruit smoothie and sent it flying. It happened several years ago, but I can still remember standing at the door, luggage in hand—watching as that pink lava, as if in slow motion, shot into the air. It landed with a splat… right on a white rug.
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Stop asking ‘how are you?’ Harvard researchers say this is what successful people do when making small talk
“How are you?” These are the three most useless words in the world of communication. The person asking doesn’t really want to know, and the person responding doesn’t tell the truth. What follows is a lost opportunity and meaningless exchange with zero connection. But the key to making the most out of small talk, according to Harvard researchers, is to simply ask the other person follow-up questions.
Why It’s Essential For CEOs To Believe When Others Are Drowning In Doubt
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Never Overlook These 7 Classic Job Interview Questions
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of The Five Graces of Life and Leadership. You can’t possibly know all the questions you’ll be asked in a job interview. They could be zingers out of the blue (“If you were an animal, what would you be?”) or total brainteasers (“Can you estimate the number of panes of glass in the city of Seattle?”). But no matter how much the hiring process has evolved, it’s the simplest interview questions that will always remain the same.
'Never overlook these 7 classic job interview questions,' says CEO and hiring expert of 22 years
You can't possibly know all the questions you'll be asked in a job interview. They could be zingers out of the blue ("If you were an animal, what would you be?") or total brainteasers ("Can you estimate the number of panes of glass in the city of Seattle?"). But no matter how much the hiring process has evolved, it's the simplest interview questions that will always remain the same. And yet, I see very few people prepare for them these days.
'I quit my job. Now I regret it': Do this before making your next move, says CEO of 10 years Original
In 2021, a record-shattering 47.4 million people quit their jobs during the pandemic and Great Resignation. And according to a ResumeBuilder.com poll of 1,250 American workers, about 23% of employees will look for new jobs this year. This is the hottest job market we've ever seen. But not everyone is leaving their role for greener pastures.
‘I Quit My Job. Now I Regret It’: Do This Before You Make Your Next Move, Says CEO of 15 Years
In 2021, a record-shattering 47.4 million people quit their jobs during the pandemic and Great Resignation. And according to a ResumeBuilder.com poll of 1,250 American workers, about 23% of employees will look for new jobs this year. This is the hottest job market we've ever seen. But not everyone is leaving their role for greener pastures.
The Five Graces: A New Way Of Leading In The New Year
In my early days as a CEO, a member of our board who was mentoring me, looked me in the eye and said, “I don’t just want you to be successful—I am going to ensure that you are successful.” I was so moved by his words. Looking back now, I see it as a gift of grace. Unearned and unmerited, grace is the goodwill of human nature predisposed to helping others, and it defines so much of what leadership is about these days.
The Five Graces: A New Way Of Leading In The New Year
In my early days as a CEO, a member of our board who was mentoring me, looked me in the eye and said, “I don’t just want you to be successful—I am going to ensure that you are successful.” I was so moved by his words. Looking back now, I see it as a gift of grace. Unearned and unmerited, grace is the goodwill of human nature predisposed to helping others, and it defines so much of what leadership is about these days.
Great Managers Have These 4 Skills
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Leadership U: Accelerating Through the Crisis Curve. So you want to be a leader, whether that means inspiring an entire organization or managing a small team. But do you know what it takes to succeed? I’ve spent two decades working with researchers and workplace experts to identify the skills and traits that have gotten people ahead.
The best managers have 4 key skills, says CEO of 14 years-here’s a breakdown in one chart Original
So you want to be a leader, whether that means inspiring an entire organization or managing a small team. But do you know what it takes to succeed? As the CEO of one of the world's largest organizational consulting firms, I've spent more than 14 years working with researchers and workplace experts to identify the skills and traits that have gotten people ahead.
This chart shows the 6 stages of career growth. Where are you now?
Different people are destined to different career paths. But ideally, over time, you will take on bigger assignments and more responsibilities that will help you get to where you want. As a CEO of more than 15 years, I've helped hundreds of people navigate their professional journey.
This Chart Shows the 6 Stages of Career Growth. Where Are You Now?
Different people are destined to different career paths. But ideally, over time, you will take on bigger assignments and more responsibilities that will help you get to where you want. As a CEO of more than 15 years, I've helped hundreds of people navigate their professional journey.
Don’t Forget to Do This Before a Job Interview
Gary Burnison is CEO of Korn Ferry and the author of Leadership U: Accelerating Through the Crisis Curve. No matter how many job interviews you’ve been on, or how well you think on your feet, most people are rarely as prepared as they should be. In fact, as the CEO of a recruiting firm, I’ve spent decades interviewing candidates, and I’ve seen even the most experienced candidates — with the most impressive resumes — make rookie mistakes that can easily destroy a first impression.
5 obvious things 'too many people' forget to do before job interviews, according to CEO of 10 years
No matter how many job interviews you've been on, or how well you think on your feet, most people are rarely as prepared as they should be. In fact, as the CEO of a recruiting firm, I've spent decades interviewing candidates, and I've seen even the most experienced candidates — with the most impressive resumes — make rookie mistakes that can easily destroy a first impression. Here are five obvious things too many people forget to do before the big job interview: 1.
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