What happens when the client's decision-maker leaves mid-search?

During a leadership search we were already at the shortlist stage when the client-side decision-maker unexpectedly left the company. The situation affected not only the selection process, but the candidates’ trust and the partner’s reputation.

We did not close the project; we restructured it:

• we aligned with a new decision-making group,
• repositioned the role,
• and handled the situation transparently with the shortlisted candidates.

In situations like this, managing the process matters, but so does how the market perceives the partner’s stability and communication.