What’s 2+2 in leadership hiring? The answer isn’t always 4. Especially when you forget to account for the hidden variables: character and context. Almost 50–70% of new executives fail within 18 months, not for lack of skill but because hiring often overlooks character, cultural fit, and adaptability. We often think of hiring as a simple maths problem. You line up competence with experience and expect to find your next great leader. Except it rarely works out that neatly.

Imagine a busy international airport suddenly losing its air traffic controller. Planes are circling, communication is strained, and there’s a very real risk of collision. Who steps in? Not someone you’ll hire after six months of interviews… but a seasoned professional who can slot in now, restore order, and keep everything safely moving. Interim leaders are your organisational air traffic controllers, parachuting in when the stakes are high and time is tight.