In an era of increasing complexity, what sets the best companies apart from the pack is the ability of chief executives to crack the `super accelerator` code, according to a new book Accelerating Performance: How to Mobilise, Execute and Transform with Agility written by Colin Price, executive vice president and global managing partner at Heidrick & Struggles and Sharon Toye, a partner in the firm’s London office.

It highlights how the key to accelerating performance is the ability to strip down complexity to the bare essentials. Instead of viewing problems as binary, the ‘super accelerator’ CEO is able to re-frame situations to make contrasting objectives compatible and achievable.

The findings draw upon a Heidrick & Struggles research study of 3,000 leadership teams which shows that high performing teams delivered 22.8 per cent more economic benefit than their counterparts. It also identified 23 elite ‘super accelerator’ companies within the FT Global 500 which exemplify the winning behaviours - and avoid the traps - detailed in the book.

Accelerating Performance: How to Mobilise, Execute and Transform with Agility is being launched this week at World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Says Colin Price: “What sets the top performers apart from the others is their ability to build and change momentum more quickly than their competitors. At the same time, discernment is required. Although acceleration is the key to performance, it is also important not to do everything at breakneck speed and to know when to slow down at critical moments.”

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Notes to the editor

The FT Global 500 is an annual snapshot of the world's largest companies to show how corporate fortunes have changed in the past year, highlighting relative performance of countries and sectors. The companies are ranked by market capitalisation. The greater the stock market value of a company, the higher its ranking.

About Heidrick & Struggles:

Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) serves the executive talent and leadership needs of the world's top organizations as a premier provider of leadership consulting, culture shaping and senior-level executive search services. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 60 years ago. Today, the firm serves as a trusted advisor, providing integrated leadership solutions and helping its clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.® www.heidrick.com

A copy of the book will be available on request in PDF or print version.

Accelerating Performance microsite: www.accelerating-performance.com
Accelerating Performance teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZvbmY8m_w

H&S Media Contact:
Chiara Pierdomenico +442070754236, cpierdomenico@heidrick.com

H&S Media Contact at Davos:
Nicola Hunt +447976934342, nicola@nhpr.com