Is Your CEO Already Working for You?

If your company is looking for a new CEO, your first thought might be to seek the services of a headhunter.

Finding a qualified executive in your industry that is unhappy with their current employer is usually the first step in the trick to luring an existing CEO into your organization.

Before you make that phone call to the headhunter, read this. It may make you stop and think about what your long-term best interests really are.

What Qualities Should You Look For in Your Next CEO?

Consider what qualities you might need in your next CEO. It may not be the same qualities that your last CEO had. After all, that one obviously didn't work out.

Wouldn't company loyalty be a top priority to have in a CEO?

Your CEO has access to all kinds of sensitive company information. Someone who is willing to jump ship from another company to yours might not be exhibiting the best level of loyalty.

Perspective is another fine quality in a CEO.

Your CEO needs to be able to understand your customers, your shareholders and your employees. If you run out and hire a CEO off the street, it's unlikely you'll wind up with a CEO who's ready to hit the ground running without a steep learning curve.

Is He or She Already in Your Office?

Have you considered the wild possibility that your ideal candidate for CEO is already working for you?

It may not be such a crazy idea after all.

As the following article looks at, if a giant, powerful bank in a traditional nation like Nigeria was smart enough to realize it should hire a woman, Cecilia Ibru, who was already on their staff, isn't it possible that you have such a person on your staff as well? Ibru is now CEO of Oceanic Bank in Nigeria and so far, she's one of the most successful CEOs they've ever had.

Take look around your organization.

Do you have potential candidates because they don't fit the traditional mold of what you think makes a good CEO? Instead of judging your picks by their gender, race, clothing or lifestyle, think about those qualities again.

Loyalty and familiarity with what your organization seeks to accomplish are what you should be looking for in your next CEO.

If that package happens to come wrapped up in the guise of a woman with three kids - or a man who dislikes golf - that shouldn't stop you from considering them.

Hiring Internally is Good Business

There are all sorts of less noble reasons to hire your next CEO internally.

There's the good reputation you'll get for recognizing excellence within your own organization. Employee morale will soar when people realize you actually do pay attention to results.

Customers will admire your commitment to equal opportunity. Shareholders will appreciate the savings in headhunter fees. It's a win-win situation.

Don't stand on tradition when hiring your next CEO.

Make your decision for the right reasons, and maybe you'll make history like Oceanic Bank of Nigeria.