Passion, Strategic Vision and Global Mindset Identified as Key Attributes for Future Leaders of America's Industrial Sector.

NEW YORK -- Korn/Ferry Study Examines the Leadership Challenges Facing the U.S. Industrial Sector

The most critical attributes of the next generation of leaders for America's industrial sector are passion, vision and a global mindset, according to a new study by Korn/Ferry International (NYSE:KFY), the premier provider of executive search and leadership development solutions. Entitled Executive Leadership in the Industrial Economy, the study examines the structural, economic, social and political challenges facing U.S. industry, and their impact on management.

"Between labor costs, regulatory restriction, foreign competition and unfair trade practices, the issues confronting the CEO of an industrial company today are unprecedented," said Scott Kingdom, Global Managing Director of Korn/Ferry's Industrial Market. "We interviewed a cross section of C-level industrial executives to identify the most important characteristics that the next generation of leaders for this crucial sector will need to succeed."

Korn/Ferry commissioned Joel Kotkin and David Friedman of the New American Foundation to research and write the report. Key leadership attributes identified by the authors include:

--Cultural and Intellectual Openness: For more than four decades, the U.S. has been the dominant economic force in the world. This leadership position has fostered executives who are innovative, aggressive and focused on winning. But it has also bred complacency and an ethnocentric view of the world.

--Long Term View: Many of the troubles facing U.S. multinationals were fomented by a Wall Street-driven focus on quarterly results. To succeed in a global game, leaders must be able to withstand the short term pressure and stay focused on the end game -- as their foreign-based competitors are.

--Diversity: Diversity will be a standard-bearer for global executives going forward. Diversity of thought, diversity of the workforce, diversity of the customer base, diversity in design philosophy -- these are the hallmarks of a truly global company and must be embraced and advanced by the leadership team.

Executive Leadership in the Industrial Economy is available through the Korn/Ferry website at www.kornferry.com.

About Korn/Ferry International

Korn/Ferry International, with more than 70 offices in 35 countries, is the premier provider of executive search and leadership development solutions. Based in Los Angeles, the firm partners with clients worldwide to deliver unparalleled senior-level search, management assessment, coaching and development and middle management recruitment services through its Futurestep subsidiary. For more information, visit the Korn/Ferry International Web site at www.kornferry.com or the Futurestep Web site at www.futurestep.com.