Executive Careers with Fexingo · 2026-07-11 · 8 min
In episode 108 of Executive Careers with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore the pre-transition reputation audit - a structured self-check that senior leaders use before launching a job search or making a public move. They walk through a case study of a former Fortune 500 CMO who discovered, through confidential interviews with 12 peers and direct reports, that she was perceived as brilliant but politically aloof. That insight reshaped her entire transition strategy: she spent six months building cross-functional allies before courting her next board seat. Lucas breaks down the three-part audit: internal perception, external reputation, and digital footprint. Luna shares a data point from a 2025 ExecuSearch survey showing that 78% of hiring committees reject C-suite candidates due to cultural-fit concerns uncovered in backchannel references. They also discuss how the audit avoids the trap of an unpleasant surprise in final-stage interviews. The episode closes with a practical question: who are the twelve people you would trust to tell you the truth right now, and are you ready to hear it?
Other episodes covering the same guests and topics, from across The B2B Podcast Index.
How Senior Leaders Delegate for Impact56 / 100How Senior Leaders Use the Two-Question Reference Check74 / 100How Senior Leaders Use Strategic Ignorance to Stay Focused76 / 100How Senior Leaders Use the Five-Year Backward Resume76 / 100How Senior Leaders Use a Career Syndicate Strategy90 / 100
