The Executive Career Playbook

How Senior Leaders Successfully Make the Move Without Starting Over

You have spent years building an exceptional career. You have led teams, driven revenue, navigated change, and delivered results at the highest levels. And now, you are ready for something different. But here is the question most senior leaders wrestle with: How do I make a significant career pivot without appearing to start over, take a step back, or lose the credibility I have spent decades building? In this episode, you will learn: * Why the executive pivot is fundamentally different from a standard job search and what that means for your strategy- How to reposition your experience so it speaks directly to the new direction without minimizing what you have built * The critical role your network plays in a pivot versus a traditional search, and how to activate it effectively * What hiring decision-makers and board nominating committees actually want to see from a pivot candidate * Real-world examples of senior leaders who made bold moves and what they did to make them land This is a candid, practical conversation for senior executives who are ready to move intentionally, not just reactively. No fluff. No generic career advice. Just the strategic clarity you need to make your next move your best move.

The C-Suite Interview Playbook: Command the Room. Close the Conversation.

At the executive level, interviewing is not about proving you can do the job. It is about demonstrating that you already think like the person they need. That distinction changes everything about how you prepare, how you show up, and how you close. In this episode, Michelle Merritt and Debra Boogs will talk you through the strategies that help senior executives command C-suite conversations, not just survive them. You’ll leave knowing: - What interviewers at the C-suite level are actually evaluating (and it’s not your resume) - How to frame your leadership narrative so it lands with boards and executive teams - The closing move most executives miss that determines whether you get the offer - How to handle the questions designed to test your judgment under pressure

What Recruiters Actually Want: Career Strategies from the Inside

What do senior recruiters look for when reviewing an executive resume or LinkedIn profile, and what makes them stop scrolling? Join Debra Boggs, D&S CEO and Matilda Cole, Lead Coach and 20-year executive recruiting veteran, for a candid conversation that takes you behind the curtain of the executive hiring process. Matilda has worked inside Fortune 500s, private equity firms, and FAANG companies, and as a power user of LinkedIn Recruiter and multiple AI platforms. She now uses that insider knowledge every day to help C-suite executives and board candidates stand out, get noticed, and land the roles they deserve. In this episode, you will learn: * What recruiters genuinely notice first, and what immediately gets ignored • Why most executive LinkedIn profiles miss the mark (and how to fix yours) * How AI systems evaluate your resume before a human ever sees it * The language and positioning shifts that move you from candidate to top contender * What board-readiness looks like through a recruiter's lens. Whether you are actively in search, open to the right opportunity, or building toward a board seat, this conversation will give you the insider intelligence to position yourself with confidence and clarity. Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbG5HUUxZZnR1eEpEOGRaMnQ5ckR3Um5XUjdUQXxBQ3Jtc0tuRGJFeXVRTDVrMVNOMno3aGluZ2NCdXlsSE1KN2YwYkl2R05vby1TZlFPUENRaTBXRDNkbnI1bDJtZTB1eEFxRlE0TkRnc3Y1N1NGeXYxZFFzdTVhaUNEdDltOHVQTU9ETWU5OVlMMk5SM3YwLUNQQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dscareermanagement.com%2F&v=g81ksCD9TgI] to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://dscareermanagement-47519192.h... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXp5YUc2REtrOWVVZlBLWkhCUV9LUlRQZHktZ3xBQ3Jtc0trWEpWdXNrWVNtNXU4WjJrTFcwa1YwZDN4eUlGdDJUSjdGM3pyRUtQRklCcERXN2FJd1dTV1R1WW5wOGRLRDhjdFZHa0ZST0tUODZ4OUhBVzcwMWQtT1lKeERCLXF4ZTVXVmpaU3hEVGgtMjJXU0hnVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdscareermanagement-47519192.hs-sites.com%2Fschedule-a-call-with-us&v=g81ksCD9TgI]

Your First Board Seat: How to Position Yourself as the Right Candidate

You have a strong executive track record. You’ve led teams, driven results, and influenced organizations at the highest level. So why does landing your first board seat feel like cracking a code nobody handed you? In this episode, we'll walk you through exactly how to position yourself for your first paid board opportunity, including what boards are actually looking for, how to build your board narrative, and the common mistakes that keep qualified executives on the sidelines. You'll leave with: -A clear picture of what boards want in first-time directors -The elements of a compelling board value proposition -Actionable next steps to activate your board search today

The Executive Career Brief for May 13th 2026

D&S Executive Career Brief - May 13th 2026 Your Daily Edge In A Competitive Market