Saiyō framework
Professional Headhunter Competency Model
Great headhunting is the combination of six capabilities rather than excellence in any single one.
What the framework says
A circular capability model placing the professional headhunter at the centre, surrounded by six equal segments: Market Understanding, Commercial Curiosity, Structured Assessment, Relationship Building, Communication & Listening, and Judgement. The strongest practitioners combine these capabilities rather than relying on network size alone.
When to use it
You are selecting a search partner, or building assessment standards for your own hiring team.
How to apply it
- 1Score a partner or a hire against all six capabilities rather than network size alone.
- 2Probe judgement directly: ask what they advised a client not to do, and why.
- 3Look for commercial curiosity, the ability to understand the business problem behind the role.
- 4Use the model in internal development plans so capability is built deliberately.
The common mistake
Hiring on network and relationship skill alone, which produces access without assessment rigour.