The Truth About Finding + Hiring Transformational Leaders

Great leaders don’t just manage teams—they inspire them. They know how to drive change, rally people around a vision, and make a lasting impact. But finding these leaders isn’t easy. For CHROs and executive teams, the real challenge is recognizing the kind of leadership that truly moves the needle.

Jessica Klodnicki is one of those leaders. In fact, she’s one of my favorite “unicorns” that we recruited for an executive search client. She’s built a reputation for pushing boundaries, revitalizing brands, and leading with authenticity. Leaders like Jessica don’t just keep the wheels turning—they reimagine what’s possible.

So, what sets transformational leaders apart? And how can companies make sure they’re hiring the right people for these critical roles? Let’s break it down.

Look beyond traditional credentials to find leaders who inspire

Too often, companies get stuck on traditional credentials—specific industry experience, an Ivy League degree, or a linear career path. But the best leaders don’t always take the predictable route. They bring fresh perspectives, an ability to adapt, and a proven track record of shaking things up in the best way possible.

Jessica’s career is a perfect example. She’s led teams through major transformations, breathing new life into brands and uniting people around bold ideas. These qualities don’t always show up on a resume, but they make all the difference between a leader who simply maintains and one who truly elevates an organization.

When hiring for impact, look for candidates who:

  • Have a history of driving meaningful change

  • Know how to rally teams around a vision

  • Thrive in ambiguity and adapt quickly

  • Create environments where innovation and engagement flourish

If you want a leader who will move your business forward, you have to dig deeper than the bullet points on their LinkedIn profile.

The best leaders bring out the best in others

Transformational leadership isn’t just about results—it’s about how those results are achieved. The best executives don’t operate in silos; they elevate their teams, fostering cultures where people can trust that their leadership will enable them to do their best work.

Jessica’s leadership style is all about empowerment. She understands that great results come from motivated and engaged teams. That’s why she focuses on creating an environment where people feel valued and inspired to contribute at their highest level.

If you’re hiring for a senior role, consider asking candidates:

  • How have you helped develop high-potential talent in past roles?

  • Can you share an example of transforming a struggling team into a high-performing one?

  • What strategies do you use to build a culture of trust and innovation?

Finding a leader who lifts others up isn’t just good for morale—it’s essential for long-term business success.

Cultural alignment matters just as much as leadership ability

A leader can check every box on paper, but if they don’t align with your company’s culture, they won’t thrive. The most effective executives are the ones whose values, leadership style, and approach to decision-making complement the organization’s mission and team dynamics.

Jessica thrives in cultures that embrace authenticity, creativity, and collaboration. That’s been a big part of her success at driving major transformations—she aligns her leadership approach with the organizations she serves. And then she cements her impact by helping these companies become even more highly functioning and values-driven.

To assess cultural fit, try:

  • Observing how candidates engage with different stakeholders during the interview process

  • Provide case study examples to identify their core leadership values and how they align with your company’s DNA

  • Ensuring their long-term vision complements your business goals

Hiring for cultural fit isn’t about finding someone who thinks exactly like the existing team—it’s about making sure they’ll thrive in your unique environment and push your company forward in a way that feels natural.

Finding transformational leaders requires a strategic approach

Jessica Klodnicki’s career is proof that the right leader can redefine what’s possible for a company. But finding these kinds of leaders takes more than a basic search—it requires knowing where to look and how to recognize true game-changers.

At TKJ Executive Search, we don’t just match resumes to job descriptions. We help companies uncover transformational leaders who can make a real difference, beyond what their skills on paper suggest. If you’re looking for a leader who will take your business to the next level, let’s connect.

Contact us today to get started.

Testimonials

Tammy is unlike any recruiter I've ever worked with; she is one of the best. While most search firms focus on the client, Tammy understands that for the client to succeed in its search goals, she needs to equally represent the candidate. She works tirelessly to help the candidate evaluate the opportunity to determine whether it's right for them. Her authentic desire is to help the candidate make the right decision.

— Alexandra Aleskovsky, President & CEO

We hire TKJ Executive Search because they introduce highly qualified candidates in a quick timeframe and we always feel like true partners in their process. They take the time to understand our business so they can really pinpoint the need, and they are invaluable for broadening our talent ranks with hires from new industries. Their approach is creative and out of the box. They can meet the demands of any search we put before them, regardless of function.

— Lori Massad, SVP Human Resources and Chief Talent Officer, Alliance Bernstein

TKJ Executive Search gets the job done every time in an efficient manner. They quickly understand the nuance of situations, and they get the chemistry fit. Their team has open and honest styles and they connect well with candidates, making them great ambassadors for our company.

— Ellen Shedlarz, Former SVP HR Ziff Brothers Investments and Former Chief Operations Officer, Global Talent Management Group, Morgan Stanley

TKJ Executive Search takes a uniquely thoughtful approach to finding the best person, not only for a position but also as a match for our organization and culture. To be able to collaborate on the important nuances makes all the difference. They are highly intuitive, deliberative and thorough, and they are authentic partners with their clients.

— Sarah Cox, Manager, Talent Management, L.L. Bean

Tammy understands me in a way I never would have expected from a search partner. She helped me hire a Head of HR years ago when I ran a media business and that hire was such a perfect fit as my business partner that I have taken her with me to several new businesses. Creating a match like this is a rare feat for a recruiter.

— Kerry Hatch, Former COO, Global Client Services, Axciom

I have hired Tammy many times as a recruiter and as a coach. As a recruiter, she is thoughtful, creative, and delivers results quickly. As a coach, she helped the CEO in one of my previous companies become aware of the consequences of his behavior — and, together, they made some critical and high impact adjustments. Tammy is the real deal and a great partner.

— Michael Bruno, former CHRO Muscular Dystrophy Association, IAC and Rodale

TKJ Executive Search exceeded our expectations, a rarity from an executive search firm. We met our first CHRO candidates in week three and selected our finalists in week six. The quality and caliber of each candidate made the vetting process positively challenging; fortunately, the TKJ team’s candid and collaborative input helped make this easier. A pleasant surprise was the unsolicited positive feedback from the candidates about their experience with TKJ — a positive reflection on our company. I would partner with TKJ again in a heartbeat.

— Kevin Doran, Senior HR and Communications Leader, PQ Corporation

TKJ Executive Search is our recruiter of choice. They find solutions to some of our more complex hiring needs, and their placements deliver high impact. What I most value is their approach as thoughtful partners — we always know the search progress, what makes each candidate compelling, and what we need to explore and emphasize in each interview conversation. I have complete trust in Tammy’s instincts and counsel.

— Susan Grimbilas, Partner and Managing Director, Head Of HR And Operations for North America, The Boston Consulting Group

I selected TKJ Executive Search as a search partner after a thorough comparison with other firms, and I was delighted with my choice for our Head of Talent. I have high expectations and they exceeded them because they made a challenging search seem easy. A key to their approach was the extensive amount of time they invested up front to understand me and my drivers, our Firm and our culture, and the reasons and motivations for our hiring decision. Then Tammy guided me in custom questions to ask each candidate, and she observed my interviews which helped me refine my approach and confirm my selection. She redefined for me the concept of partnership.

— Jennifer Stier, COO, Highfields Capital Management

There is a boundary-less aspect to Tammy's work. It's integrated and she goes deep. She understands that a hire is a reflection of the leader, so she puts herself in my shoes. Her coaching experience makes her a forward-looking search partner; beyond searching for a fit for the role, she works to understand and anticipate how the role might change over time. And now that I have used Tammy in multiple capacities and in multiple organizations, I can attest to how powerful that is.

— Hy Pomerance, Chief Talent Officer, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP