Monthly Commentary | June 2026
Corey M. Dortch, Ph.D.
Strategic Advisor, Loop Executive Search
As the world’s attention turns to International soccer and the matches taking place in Atlanta this week, one thing is clear: athletes do not begin preparing when the tournament starts. They prepare for years before they ever step onto the pitch.
Executive leadership works much the same way. One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that executive searches begin when a position is posted. In reality, many leadership opportunities are shaped long before an application is ever submitted.
Boards, presidents, and executive search consultants are constantly paying attention. They notice who is leading important initiatives, contributing thoughtful ideas, speaking at conferences, publishing insights, and building a reputation for sound judgment. Increasingly, technology helps surface those leaders, but the underlying principle remains the same: people are evaluated based on the body of work they have built over time.
That means your next opportunity may be influenced by what you are doing today, even if you are not actively looking for a new role. Throughout my career in higher education and executive search, I have found that the most successful leaders invest in relationships before they need them, engage meaningfully in their profession, and consistently demonstrate the values they hope others will associate with their leadership.
At Loop Executive Search, we often say that the best placements occur when preparation meets opportunity. The leaders who stand out are rarely those rushing to position themselves for a role. More often, they are the ones who have spent years building credibility, trust, and influence within their organizations and professions.
Just like the athletes competing on one of the world’s biggest stages this week, executive leaders do not rise to the occasion by accident. When the opportunity arrives, they are ready because they have been preparing for it all along.