Show Up to Win - How to Land the Leadership Role You Want

Aug 7, 2026

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Show Up to Win outlines a structured approach for executives to successfully pursue a desired leadership role. The book addresses how to prepare for visibility, assess the landscape of opportunities, and reshape one’s story for each new possibility. It guides readers through interview navigation, path selection, and role acquisition via thoughtful negotiation. It also emphasizes planning a graceful transition, building smart readiness for the next stage, and avoiding guesswork through actionable steps.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages140

Reading Time5 h 53 min

AccessFree to download

STEP 1: Get Ready to Show Up

STEP 2: Assess the Landscape

STEP 3: Start the Process

STEP 4: Navigate the Interviews

STEP 5: Choose Your Path

STEP 6: Win the Role

STEP 7: Plan Your Farewell

STEP 8: Start Smart

Conclusion: No More Guessing

Index

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

SHOW UP TO WIN HOW TO LAND THE LEADERSHIP ROLE YOU WANT KELLY O. KAY JEFF SANDERS HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW PRESS BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) HBR Press Quantity Sales Discounts Harvard Business Review Press titles are available at signiêcant quantity discounts when purchased in bulk for leadership development programs, client gifts, or sales promotions. Opportunities to co-brand copies with your logo or messaging are also available. For details and discount information for both print and ebook formats, contact booksales@hbr.org or [visit](visit www.hbr.org/bulksales)[ ](visit www.hbr.org/bulksales)[www.hbr.org/bulksales](visit www.hbr.org/bulksales). Copyright 2026 Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be directed [to](to permissions@harvardbusiness.org)[ ](to permissions@harvardbusiness.org)[permissions@harvardbusiness.org](to permissions@harvardbusiness.org), or mailed to Permissions, Harvard Business School Publishing, 60 Harvard Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02163. The web addresses referenced in this book were live and correct at the time of the book’s publication but may be subject to change. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is forthcoming. ISBN: 979-8-89279-213-4 eISBN: 979-8-89279-214-1 The paper used in this publication meets the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Publications and Documents in Libraries and Archives Z39 .48-1992. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) FROM KELLY: To Kelly Lyn Parkhurst for her inspiration for this book, our six children—Keaton, Olivia,Jenner, Courtney, Carsen, and Max—and my parents; I’m forever grateful for your love and support. FROM JEFF: To my wfie,Jennfier Sanders; my children,Jack, Ella, and Caroline; and my parents, with deepest love and gratitude. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) CONTENTS Foreword Introduction STEP 1: Get Ready to Show Up Know you can build an extraordinary career STEP 2: Assess the Landscape Understand your value STEP 3: Start the Process Reshape your story for each new possibility | Pause and consider:
Who else can tell your story—the art of the reference | | --- | | STEP 4: Navigate the Interviews
Make sure each one works for you, and the company
STEP 5: Choose Your Path
Decide on the right next role for you
STEP 6: Win the Role
Negotiate thoughtfully—about compensation and much more
STEP 7: Plan Your Farewell
Leave gracefully | Pause and consider: STEP 8: Start Smart Set yourself up to thrive Conclusion: No More Guessing Index Acknowledgments About the Authors [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) FOREWORD I’ve been a Heidrick client a lot longer than I’ve been a Heidrick colleague, and the following assertions are based on my client experience. Two things are true about our work: In advising clients about the construction and performance of their top teams, we do vitally important work in lifting an organization’s performance. Ask any CEO or board member what separates great performance from good performance (or worse) and, in a heartbeat, they will point to having the right leaders in the right roles, leading in the right way. Our job—simply put—is to help them accomplish this reliably and routinely, at a time of incredible change. Yet we don’t and can’t do this work alone. Obviously, we need great client partnerships. Less obviously, we need leaders to step up, to put their best foot forward, thoughtfully engage in the market, and—well —Show Up to Win. Our ability to solve urgent client problems is contingent not just on our ability to diagnose those problems and priorit

FAQs

What is the main goal of Show Up to Win?

It helps leaders land the specific leadership role they want by showing up effectively throughout the search and selection process.

How does the book advise readers to prepare before pursuing a new role?

It starts with getting ready to show up, building confidence in what you can achieve, and preparing your career narrative for new possibilities.

What guidance is provided for the final stages of securing the role?

It covers navigating interviews, choosing the right path, winning the role through thoughtful negotiation, and planning a graceful farewell.

Aug 7, 2026

Upload by Ezra