I had an interesting conversation the other day with a friend who is a senior C level leader. We were discussing if the best people were ever really “looking” for jobs?

His view was that if someone is actively putting their CV on platforms like LinkedIn or working with headhunters, it must mean they are unhappy in their current role or not good enough. I did not agree with this perspective although I do think that pursuing job opportunities mindlessly is a sign of desperation!

On the other hand, some of the best people in any field are ambitious, restless for growth, or simply curious about what is possible. They may be perfectly happy in their current roles, but “happy” does not and should not mean “closed to a better opportunity”.

In fact, the top performers usually move not for money, but for a chance to grow beyond their current ceiling, a mission or leadership they deeply believe in or a role where their impact is bigger and more visible.

So, the real challenge for leaders and organizations is not just finding people who are available but attracting people who are not looking.

That means they need to build a strong employer brand and culture worth joining, tapping into networks and personal referrals rather than just job ads and think about offering challenges, ownership, and purpose that other roles cannot provide.

In my view, the best talent doesn’t just chase jobs, but the best opportunities make them curious enough to listen!

Worth thinking about 🤔