Episode 9: Richard Jones – The Paradox of Difference: How to Make Senior Hires a Success

Why senior hires so often fail – and how to make leadership transitions succeed

In this episode of the Unlocking Value podcast, John Howard speaks with leadership coach and former consultancy partner Richard Jones about one of the hardest things to get right in professional services: senior leadership transitions.

On paper, it sounds simple: bring in a talented new leader to help the business grow. In reality, it’s far more complex.

Richard and John talk about why these moments are so high-stakes and why more than half of senior hires fail within 18 months. They explore the messy web of explicit and implicit expectations, the challenges of navigating strong internal cultures in mid-sized firms, and the paradox of hiring for difference while instinctively resisting it.

Richard draws on years of research and first-hand experience to reveal what makes transitions succeed. He explains why leadership changes must be treated as a team game, how to build a safe environment for new leaders, and why maintaining high standards matters most when everything feels uncertain.

The conversation covers:

• The impact of complex, unspoken expectations on both sides of a hire
  
• The paradox of seeking difference while resisting change
  
• How mid-sized firms can prepare their culture for new leadership
  
• Why successful transitions are a team effort, not a solo challenge
  
• How leaders can create psychological safety without lowering the bar
  

For leaders navigating growth, or anyone responsible for bringing senior talent into their firm, this episode offers a candid look at the complexity of transitions and how, with the right mindset and preparation, they can become moments of real progress.

🎧 This episode is available to stream below or on any of your usual podcast platforms (such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts)