How I Got Here: The Story Of My Origins

Stanton Chase recently held its biannual board elections. They were a welcome tradition in an otherwise unprecedented year. Like the rest of the world, we had to adjust to working, meeting, and communing online, which was a challenge considering how valuable personal relationships are to us here at Stanton Chase. 

Stanton Chase International Chair Jan-Bart Smits Shares His Story and His Vision 

Stanton Chase’s board elections were conducted virtually, and my predecessor, Mickey Matthews, was rotating out of his role as Chair after serving the maximum number of terms. A new board was elected, and I was appointed as the new International Chairman. 

In lieu of the face-to-face meetings that we normally thrive on, I would like to start a conversation with you, our clients. To start, I would like to tell you a bit about myself and how I got here. 

Broadening Horizons

Born in Italy to Dutch parents (which explains my love for red wine from Tuscany), I had a great childhood. Unfortunately, my father passed away at an early age, just before I met my wife-to-be. We were university sweethearts and basically became adults together. I studied astrophysics and she studied law, which was an interesting combination.  

Recently I started realizing how much she taught me. Looking at my life as a young man, I was enthralled by my area of study. Now, I realize that it may have created a certain narrowness of vision. She helped me broaden my horizons, and I believe that helped lay the foundations for who I am today. 

While I loved my chosen area of study, I quickly realized I would never be the best astrophysicist in the world. Looking at my hero, Richard Feynman (whose book “QED” I strongly recommend; in it he explains his work to his 6-year-old niece using one simple formula), I realized I would never even get close. So, after finishing university, getting a job became a priority. I was lucky: I joined a local search and selection firm and quickly realized that it was my chosen profession. 

After gaining experience at a local boutique firm, an international selections firm, and a global executive search firm (which gave me an opportunity to work and live in the Middle East), I joined Stanton Chase. This was back in 2009. At the time, the firm was looking for a Dutch Partner responsible for the technology market. I had chosen that field of specialization early on in my career and never wavered. 

To me, technology is the most exciting industry in which to operate. My clients in this sphere really change the world: how we work, live, communicate, and stay in touch with friends and family. Just imagine the complexity of telephone networks and the simplicity of their use. Any person in the world can be reached if you can push a button with a number between 0 and 9—how great is that! 

‘Go Fix It’

I attended my first Global Partner Meeting about 10 days after I joined the company. Just like at many other companies, the mantra of “if you have strong opinions, you have to go fix it” also applies at Stanton Chase. Soon, I was asked to run the EMEA practice for technology. This grew over time to become a global responsibility, and later my responsibilities expanded to include professional services (which is similar to technology in a number of ways). 

Fast forward to 2021: We now face the largest pandemic in humanity’s living memory. It has caused huge economic issues, as well as trade wars. People are becoming polarized. The benefits of technology have also turned against us: Everyone has an opinion and can throw it out into the world. People tend to read and search for information that confirms their ideas and stop listening to the opinions of others. 

“In a changing world, we need to change, too.”

Jan-Bart Smits, SC International Chair

Stanton Chase is facing many challenges. Mickey Matthews often told me that he viewed Stanton Chase as a person—born about 35 years ago, journeying through young adulthood, and now a high-potential successful young executive. We need to adjust to our new reality. We are a major player in the search industry. Gone are the days of happy-go-lucky, do-the-best-you-can individualism. In a changing world, we need to change, too. 

A Global Perspective

These observations made me raise my hand. My passion for working internationally with global clients, candidates from all continents, and colleagues from all over the world drove me to come up with a plan and gather a team of great people to join me on the board. We are proud to be living examples of corporate diversity, representing different nationalities, genders, races, ethnicities, cultures, subcultures, sexual orientations, disabilities (visible or invisible), ages, and generations—but luckily, we all have the same shared values. 

Together we will work tirelessly to support Stanton Chase in achieving what everyone hopes to achieve—success, greatness, the joy of working together, and hope that this individual (Stanton Chase) will become the leader we all look up to. I sincerely hope we can achieve that, and I believe we are well on our way. 

About the Author:
Jan-Bart Smits is the new International Chairman of Stanton Chase.