Leaders in Executive Talent Advisory from Across Europe and Beyond Convened for AESC’s Elevate 2017 Brussels

Brussels, November 13, 2017 – The global Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) assembled executive search and leadership advisory professionals from across Europe for Elevate 2017, AESC’s European conference in Brussels on November 9. Ineke Arts, Partner at Hoffmann Associates and Chair, AESC Council of Europe and Africa, opened the program, which explored critical issues of today’s complex business climate, from the acceleration of technology and increasing globalization to massive generational shift and new regulation impacting organizations worldwide.

An expert in the field of neuroleadership, Andy Habermacher guided participants in a journey of the human brain, from how it grows and wires throughout life—and the five core drivers of all human brains. Habermacher’s presentation uncovered the surprising qualities of highly functioning brains, how our brain functions under pressure and when tasked with making complex executive decisions.

Ilaria Maselli, Senior Economist at The Conference Board shared new research on the maturing workforce, Turning Silver Into Gold. With all the focus on Millennials, Maselli argues that older workers comprise a talent pool that we cannot afford to leave untapped. Her research shines a light on the looming risk to the global labor supply as the workforce in mature markets, especially in Europe, continue to age and birth rates decline.

A global expert in building client relationships, David Butter of Andrew Sobel Advisors led an interactive session where he guided participants in how to ask the types of effective questions that build dynamic, trusted partnerships.

AESC President and CEO Karen Greenbaum presented the association’s new research, The New Wave: Next Generation Executive Talent, based on feedback from more than 850 business leaders worldwide. Greenbaum explored how to attract, develop and retain younger Gen X and Millennial talent and why the next generation has the attributes today’s organizations need to succeed. A panel of next generation executive search and leadership consultants, including: Sam Burman, Heidrick & Struggles; Julie Maigret, Korn Ferry; Paloma Marcos, Spencer Stuart; Agnieszka Ogonowska, Borderless; and Harry Wimborne, Sheffield Haworth; then shared their perspective on the future of the executive search and leadership consulting profession—one where human insights and diverse relationships are maximized by data and AI-driven technology.

Michael Chui, Partner at McKinsey & Company, presented insights from the firm’s new report, The Future of Work—What People Will do After the Robot’s Show Up. Chui’s research revealed an optimistic outlook where AI-based technology will create as many or more jobs than it will eventually eliminate.

Entrepreneur and author of The Day After Tomorrow Peter Hinssen shared a counter view to Chui’s optimism. He argues so many of today’s organizations, industries and institutions, from banking to higher education, are mired in “tomorrow-thinking” and will be left behind and rapidly replaced if they do not shift their organizational structures, talent, technologies, mindset and culture.

Clare Mahon, AESC Managing Director for Europe and Africa, facilitated a discussion on EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) with Tim Hickman, Partner at legal firm White & Case, David Peters, Finance Director at Odgers Berndtson and AESC President and CEO Karen Greenbaum. The panel provided guidance on how executive search and leadership consultants can take action now to be compliant with the new regulation that will be enforced starting in May 2018.

David Webber, Partner at Odgers Berndtson, facilitated a discussion on the day’s learnings with Sébastien Deletaille, CEO & Cofounder, Real Impact Analytics (RIA) and Martha Ivanovas, Manager of Government Affairs EMEA at Dell.

Krista Walochik, President, Talengo/The Global Community for Leaders (TGCL) and Chair, AESC Global Board of Directors, reflected on the day’s insights in her closing remarks, by encapsulating the takeaways for AESC’s global membership and the clients they serve.

Elevate 2017 Brussels was sponsored by AESC partners The Cluen Corporation, Invenias, Mintz Group, Phoenix Executive and TRIUM Global EMBA.

About Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants

AESC is the voice of excellence for the executive search and leadership consulting profession worldwide. Its rigorous Code of Professional Practice guides our members in nearly 1,300 offices in 74 countries and beyond to serve as strategic advisors on behalf of their clients. In turn, AESC members are best positioned to provide companies with a competitive advantage—the ability to find, attract and develop the best talent in the world and ensure that executives are successfully integrated.