Question 1

What is RunRetained?

Accepted Answer

RunRetained is an AI-era executive search and leadership readiness firm founded by Jason La Barbera. It helps CEOs, CHROs, boards, and PE sponsors assess, hire, and transform senior leaders for roles being rewritten by AI.

Question 2

What is the Future-Proof Leadership Readiness Index?

Accepted Answer

A scored, evidence-based diagnostic for an existing leader, finalist, or role. Six dimensions of the Future-Proof Leadership Lens. One route: Transform, Search, or Rescope. Two to three weeks. $15K–$25K, scoped to depth. Priced independently of any downstream engagement.

Question 3

When should a company use the Index instead of starting a search?

Accepted Answer

When the buyer is privately uncertain whether the issue is the leader, the role, or the need for an external search. The Index provides evidence before triggering a replacement cycle. If the buyer already knows they need to hire, they should start a confidential search directly. The Index is not a mandatory gate.

Question 4

How is The Transformation different from executive coaching?

Accepted Answer

Executive coaching is bounded by what the leader is open to. The Transformation is bounded by what the role demands. The work starts with diagnostic evidence, not coaching goals, and is operating-system focused — workflow design, decision rights, signal architecture — not personality or communication. It is not AI training, not generic advisory, not a group course.

Question 5

What does "No evidence = no score" mean?

Accepted Answer

RunRetained's core operating rule: each dimension of the Future-Proof Leadership Lens is scored only when there is observable operating evidence. Inferred capability, intent, charisma, reputation, and self-reported confidence do not count. If a dimension cannot be scored from evidence, it is left unscored rather than estimated.

Question 6

Who is RunRetained best for?

Accepted Answer

CEOs, boards, PE sponsors, and CHROs facing high-stakes senior leadership decisions where AI is changing the role, the operating model, or the evidence required to evaluate readiness. Built for senior leadership, executive, and high-leverage technical leadership roles. Not for Director-level or below, contingent recruiting, high-volume hiring, or generic AI training.

Question 7

What is The Search?

Accepted Answer

Retained executive search for senior AI-era roles. Partner-led. The firm evaluates candidates against the version of the role the next 24–36 months will demand, not just the job description today. Each search produces a structured mandate brief, calibrated market map, candidate defense briefs, slate, weekly memo, and decision record. Pricing is calculated as a percentage of first-year target cash compensation with a senior-mandate minimum.

Question 8

What is Project Atlas?

Accepted Answer

Project Atlas is a composite engagement walkthrough on the homepage that shows the artifact set every retained RunRetained search produces: Mandate Brief, Market Map, Candidate Defense, Slate of Five, and Week 5 Memo. Names, regions, and signals are fictionalized; the workflow is real. Composite example. Names changed. Structure unchanged.

Tell us what you're facing.

Tell us what you're facing.