Korn Ferry: What it Takes To Be A Top Executive

What makes a great executive in today’s marketplace? According to Wendy Beecham, managing principal at talent and team development firm Korn Ferry, it takes a specific skill set to lead a successful business team.

Beecham spoke to a crowd at this week's Women of the Channel West event in Napa, Calif.

In today’s ’very volatile world,’ Beecham said, executives must be able to negotiate well, think strategically, employ strong communication skills, and have strong financial understanding.

’If you’re interested in moving into an executive managerial role, they’re the kind of skills you need to have,’ she said.

However, executives also need experience in important scenarios, like playing a role in a visible project, working in a different department, or accepting an international assignment.

Beecham said that, unfortunately, women tend to miss out on these important experiences more than men, due to a lack of mentors and sponsors for women inside organizations.

She recommended that women ’be intentional about building connections’ that can serve them in their career trajectories.