The top five most transferable qualities for executives, according to a survey of 170 search-firm recruiters, are:
1. Leadership
2. Proven success in previous industry
3. Multi-functional experience
4. Knowledge about the new industry
5. Team-building and development
Source: ExecuNet, Norwalk, Conn.
New leaders often fail for a few common reasons: due to unclear or outsized expectations, a failure to build partnerships with key stakeholders, a failure to learn the company, industry or the job itself fast enough, a failure to determine the process for gaining commitments from direct reports and a failure to recognize and manage the impact of change on people.