(The secret of being the one headhunted)
I’ve been in those boardrooms.
The ones where the whiteboard is full of candidates’ names.
Some crossed out. Some circled.
And then, someone leans forward and says,
“Wait… what about her?” (or him?)
That’s when it begins…And sometimes, that person is you.
But here’s what most people don’t realise,
Being headhunted isn’t about luck.
It’s about becoming someone worth mentioning when it matters most.
Let me tell you how that happens.
First, do real work.
The kind that solves problems. That calms chaos.
That doesn’t scream for credit but earns respect.
People remember the impact. Not titles. Not buzzwords. Just real outcomes.
Be seen, but with purpose.
Speak at one good event. Write one clear article.
Join the kind of conversations where decisions are made.
You don’t have to be everywhere—just where it matters.
Make your professional story easy to read.
If someone looks you up, what do they see?
A clear profile, up to date, free of fluff?
Can they tell, at a glance, what you bring to the table?
Your reputation should speak in plain language: “I get things done.”
Earn quiet endorsements.
The best candidates don’t always apply.
They get recommended.
By a former colleague.
A supervisor.
A vendor.
Someone who says, “Trust me. He is solid.” (or She is)
Those are the names that get written on the whiteboard.
And finally, stay open.
Sometimes the best calls come when you’re not looking.
I’ve reached out to people who never imagined they’d be considered.
And yet, they were ready.
Not because they were searching,
But because they had quietly built a body of work worth discovering.
So, here’s the truth:
You don’t need to shout to be seen.
You don’t need to chase to be chosen.
But you do need to show up—
Every day, in how you work, how you lead, and how you carry yourself.
Because one day, someone will mention your name in a boardroom.
And when they do, I hope you’ve done the kind of work
That doesn’t need an introduction.
