Confessions of a Headhunter series: Lesson #3- If courage is a value - Don’t Waste a Career Lying

Written by Raj Tulsiani

Introducing our Confessions of a Headhunter series - 20 years of lessons, laughs, and leadership:

Lesson #3- If courage is a value - Don’t Waste a Career Lying

Behind every senior hire is a story of ambition, risk, and judgment.

In this animated series, Green Park’s CEO Raj Tulsiani lifts the lid on two decades in the headhunting world- sharing the wins, the missteps, and the moments that changed how he leads.

It’s not just about search. It’s about leadership, decision-making, and what it really takes to build successful teams.

Sir Trevor took Raj into a meeting at a global consultancy. Six people in the room; Senior Leaders, Line, HR and Resourcing & D&I. They presented immaculate slides: attraction, diversity, “groundbreaking work,” glowing outcomes.

Then the senior stakeholder asked, “So how can you help us?”

When Raj was invited in, he paused and said:

“We’re a small firm. We win by building bridges between talent that organisations can’t attract or keep, and the organisations willing to learn from evidence and lived experience are the ones who allow us to do our best work. Today, the gap between how you see yourselves and how the market experiences you is too wide. You’re broadcasting, not listening. So I don’t think you can become a client.”

On the way out, Trevor asked what that was about. Raj said:

“Integrity is all we’ve got. If they’re ready, they’ll come back.”

Months later, the stakeholder did - and later became a client and a placement.

Learning: Tell your truth early. It saves everyone time-and earns trust when it matters.

👉 If you’d like to learn more about Green Park and what we can do for you, we would be delighted to make time for you. Get in touch.