Vincent Swift

CEO, The Wright Co./Transearch

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Company Info: The Wright Co./Transearch

Web site: www.wrightcompany.com, www.transearch.com

Address: Suite 2903, 29/F, Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Rd., Wanchai, Hong Kong

Phone: 852 2530 2332

E-mail: vincent.swift@wrightcompany.com, vincent.swift@transearch.com

Advice: Put yourself in the other guy’s shoes. You’re almost certainly not as good as you think you are, and probably not quite as bad as he thinks you are.

Qualities sought in emerging leaders: Self-awareness, as opposed to self-absorption. Many powerful executives lead by being smarter, more focused, or more assertive in meetings than their colleagues. But when the meeting is over, or at long distances (geographical or hierarchical), this style of leadership is not as effective. A great leader has a management style that inspires team members to do what needs to be done.

Sector specialization: Consumer products, retail, financial services, technology, professional services

Job function specialization: C-suite, regional heads

Geographical Focus: Asia-Pacific

Favorite historical figure: Nelson Mandela

Education: Keble College, Oxford Univ., BA (honors), Chemistry, 1977, and MA (honors), Chemistry, 1978

Languages: English, French, Thai, some Mandarin

Employment history: Wright/Transearch, CEO; Heidrick & Struggles, Partner; Leo Burnett, Asia-Pacific Practice Leader, and Managing Director, Thailand

Other interests: Optimising human capital by management development (Crestcom Management Training investor), rugby, soccer, photography, film, reading, Persian carpets, cigars

Professional/Membership Affiliations: Chairman, Asia-Pacific, and Global Board of Directors, Transearch; Chairman, Asia-Pacific Council, and Board, AESC; Crestcom International, International Advisory Council

Experience in executive search consulting: 14 years

High Profile Placement: Various

Other paths I might have pursued: Optimizing human capital within organizations by development of their leadership teams

The global business trend that will most influence corporate performance in the future: As technology shortens distances and broadens networks, we will live in an increasingly complex world where traditional management techniques will be less and less relevant. The leaders who can cope with the information overload and manage high-performance individuals across fluid matrices will be the real Masters of the Universe. They will achieve this in three ways: by simplifying complex issues and streamlining decision-making; by enlightened empowerment of their teams; and by never for one minute thinking they are the new Masters of the Universe.