The document summarizes research on executive careers, finding that the average age was 43, with most holding titles of managing director, senior vice president, or vice president. When making career decisions, executives are most influenced by their own intuition, family, current boss, and mentor. They are most attracted to new roles with opportunities for change, team fit, and culture. Staying with a company is most influenced by opportunities for growth, a good boss, and team caliber. The top career motivators are achieving through their own effort, working effectively with others, and working for a highly regarded company. The greatest career accelerations came from taking on challenging financial roles early, managing large complex businesses, and turning around businesses. Taking career

1. Executive Careers Research

2. Participants Average age 43 35% Managing Director 40% Senior Vice President or Divisional Director 25% VP or Director

3. Influences on Career Decisions Who influences career decisions now? Own intuitive sense( gut feel) Family Current Boss Mentor Current HR

4. What attracts them to new role Relative Scores: Scale of Role: 142 Team Fit: 140 Culture: 133 Future opportunity: 131 Compensation: 126 Match with current ability: 108 Professional Development: 107

5. Retention What kept people at the same company? 1. Change & Growth 2. A Good Boss 3. Caliber of the team

6. What are the key career motivators for these senior executives? Relative Scores: Achieving through their own effort: 230 Working effectively with others: 224 Working in highly regarded company: 206 Working in a fast moving company: 194 Working in a safe and stable company: 145

7. Accelerated Careers What led to the greatest acceleration of your career? 1. Given a challenging P&L role early in career 2. Manage something large scale with complexity 3. Turnaround a business

8. Career Risks What Risks Paid Off? Moving countries or regions Moving industries Moving functions

9. More Info For specific questions on this research please send email to: Mr Mark Powell: mark.powell@xdirections.com