In this episode of the Chief Healthcare Officer Podcast, Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul is joined by Gordon Andersen, Founding Partner at AGL Executive Search, for a deep conversation about the evolving nature of leadership in healthcare.

Drawing on more than two decades of global executive search experience, Gordon shares how the post-pandemic world has fundamentally changed what organisations look for in their leaders and how authenticity has become the rarest, yet most valuable, trait in the talent market. Together, they explore how today’s CEOs must navigate ambiguity, balance empathy with execution, and build cultures that prioritise people and patients over profit.

Key takeaways

• Lead through ambiguity. Post-COVID, boards value leaders who unite teams amid rapid change, AI disruption, and competing worldviews.
• Authenticity on both sides. Mis-hires happen when candidates or employers sell a version that is not real. Name the challenges early.
• Culture and patients over pure EBITDA. Commercial aggression without a patient-centred culture can erode trust and outcomes.
• Cross-industry hires need caution. Consumer-grade speed and UX help, but stakes in healthcare are higher than tech.
• AI is a tool, not a replacement. Automation can process volume, but cannot assess integrity or empathy at leadership level.
• Retention follows clarity. Unclear board mission and equity hopping undermine tenure and impact.
• Plan ahead. Avoid desperation hires with succession and purpose-led searches.

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