11. External Selection for Unknown Leadership Candidates

Situation

External candidate enters a key role – with little internal context.

Symptoms: strong interviews, poor long-term performance, cultural misalignment despite expertise.

Challenge

Goal: evaluate candidates beyond self-presentation, reduce selection risks, ensure fit to role, team, and culture.

Why it matters: CVs show skills – diagnostics show behavior under fire.

Solution

Values diagnostics, SJTs, structured personality tools – focus on behavior under uncertainty.

Tool Examples

• Aon (SJT, ADEPT-15, Scales)
• SHL (OPQ32, Verify G+, SJT)
• Harrison (Smart Questionnaire, QCT)

Full analysis in the PEATS Leadership Guide

More Use Cases available in the Use Case Library