March Madness Lessons for Executive Hiring: Why the Best Teams Win (Not Just the Flashiest Stars)
By Ross Fletcher, Partner | Herd Freed Hartz
Celebrating 25 Years of Executive Search Placements in the Northwest
I’ve always enjoyed March Madness—but I find myself watching it a little differently these days.
After more than two decades in broadcasting, I can’t help but still view the tournament through that lens: the storytelling, the preparation behind each performance, the small moments that reveal something bigger about a team. But now, as an executive recruiter, I also see it through a second lens—one that’s focused on how people perform, how teams are constructed, and what ultimately drives success over time.
This year’s tournaments offer some familiar reminders.
On the men’s side, teams like Houston and Purdue have stood out not because they overwhelm opponents with flair, but because they are so well organized. They take care of the ball, defend with discipline, and understand exactly how they want to play. There’s a clarity to their approach that tends to hold up, especially when games tighten late on.
In the women’s tournament, South Carolina continues to set a remarkable standard. Their depth and consistency allow them to adapt without losing identity. And while Iowa’s run has understandably drawn attention for individual brilliance, what often gets overlooked is how well the pieces around that star fit together—creating space, rhythm, and balance.
Watching it unfold, I’m reminded of something that was true in broadcasting, and feels just as relevant now: the most compelling outcomes are rarely accidental. They’re the result of preparation, alignment, and an understanding of roles.
In my previous career, conducting interviews—sometimes under intense time pressure—success often came down to asking the right questions and really listening to the answers. The surface story was rarely the full story. The same is true in executive search.
The most effective searches aren’t about simply identifying standout individuals. They’re about understanding context—what a team needs at a particular moment, how a leader will complement what’s already in place, and where there’s potential for growth that may not be immediately obvious.
March Madness, in its own way, reflects that balance. Yes, there are moments of individual brilliance. But more often, it’s the teams that are connected, prepared, and clear in their purpose that keep advancing.
It’s one of the reasons the tournament remains so compelling—and why, even now, I still find myself watching closely.
$1000 Herd Freed Hartz – March Madness For Charity – Our annual tradition continues, and someone with the winning picks will choose the non-profit charity to benefit. Who will the lucky winner be this year?