As executive search professionals, we are asked to behaviorally interview interested and qualified candidates against a set of criteria commonly referred to as “The 5 Must Haves.” These include the knowledge, skills, abilities, attributes, and accomplishments that our clients deem most critical to successful first year and beyond performance. In this lineup, you will most certainly find functional Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). While important, these individuals and their skillsets are not what separates the contenders from the pretenders. In fact, what differentiates one candidate from another is their demonstrated leadership, interpersonal skill, cultural fit, and overall alignment with the organization. In essence, SME is not necessarily a synonym for “exceptional leader.”

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