Johan Sandström: “As a CEO and client, you want speed, clarity, and a proactive approach”
Johan Sandström has joined Interim Search as a Director. After a week on the job and a conference with the entire organization behind him, the client’s perspective is what he highlights first—he has served as a CEO and Group CEO himself and has had to fill business-critical roles under time pressure.
The conference came early. Already during the first week, Johan got to meet the entire team in person.
“The atmosphere is very positive. Interim Search employees are highly skilled and constantly driven to move forward,”, he says.
What surprised me the most was the volume.
“The large number of clients and consultants who work with Interim Search.”
From the client's side of the table
Johan most recently served as CEO and Group President, having overseen five acquisitions, two stock offerings, and a remote organization. Prior to that, he worked in executive search at firms including Heidrick & Struggles, Hudson, and Michaël Berglund.
He highlights his experience from the client's perspective first.
“What I take away most of all from my role as CEO is an understanding of what it means when a business-critical position becomes vacant on short notice. It’s not just a recruitment issue—it becomes an operational risk. I’ve personally been responsible for customer relationships and strategic initiatives that risk losing momentum if the right person isn’t brought on board quickly.”
“As a CEO and hiring manager, you want speed, clarity, and proactivity—someone who understands what’s important right now and can translate that into a precise match. I bring that perspective with me to Interim Search.”
The Most Common Mistake
Johan sees a pattern in how management teams and boards handle a sudden vacancy.
“People sometimes underestimate the dynamics of a situation and act based on their old role, rather than on the actual challenge the organization is facing right now. In critical situations, it is often the ability to set the right priorities and quickly restore stability that makes the difference.”
He also points to internal communication.
“My feeling is that there isn’t enough internal communication. Uncertainty within the organization can cause more harm than the vacancy itself.”
Simply reading the requirements profile is rarely enough.
“You have to understand the owner’s agenda, the time horizon, the risk profile, and what kind of leadership actually works. Asking the right questions helps me understand both what the client wants and what the situation requires.”
The Difference from Traditional Search
“Traditional search is strategic and forward-looking. You recruit to build culture, ensure succession, and foster long-term development. Interim assignments are more about ensuring continuity when the business is in a sensitive phase. The mandate is immediate, the expectations are clear, and results often need to be delivered quickly.”
That's also what drew me in.
“What makes interim work interesting is its complexity. It’s about quickly understanding where the client company stands and determining what kind of expertise and leadership are needed right now.”
There are several reasons why we chose Interim Search in particular.
“Interim Search is a dynamic company with a strong reputation, and I find the interim business very exciting. I’m also looking forward to working more closely with clients.”
Johan Sandström is a Director at Interim Search and specializes in interim placements of executives and specialists. He can be reached at johan.sandstrom@interimsearch.com and 073-333 03 42, or via his LinkedIn.
