Most teams prioritize skills when hiring. However, the top teams focus on mindset.
What if the reason someone propels your organization forward, or subtly undermines it, has more to do with their reaction time, processing style, or sense of purpose rather than their qualifications?
This episode explores the underlying patterns that influence how individuals operate, make choices, and cope with stress; the signals we often miss, and the subtle indicators that show who will succeed.
We are joined by William Vanderbloemen, whose firm has conducted almost 4,000 executive searches.
After analyzing years of candidate data, he discovered why some individuals generate momentum wherever they go while others struggle, even if they appear ideal on paper.
We examine what “fast thinkers” and “slow thinkers” contribute to a team, how to identify agility before hiring someone, and why some employees thrive on a mission while others prioritize measurable achievements.
Throughout the discussion, we consider our own tendencies and how recognizing them can transform our approaches to team building, energy management, and long-term decision-making.
Key Takeaways
Response speed can indicate mental wiring rather than simply politeness, making it a significant hiring insight.
The actual interview process begins well before the official meeting, indicating that every casual interaction matters.
Agility becomes evident when plans shift, so micro-assessments can demonstrate how someone adapts to changing circumstances.
Many high achievers are motivated by either purpose or tangible progress, and it’s essential to know which one is significant.
Grasping our own strengths allows for better hiring, improved delegation, and the creation of systems that minimize friction.
Resources and Links
"Start With Why" by Simon Sinek
Vanderbloemen Group
"Be the Unicorn" by William Vanderbloemen
Related episode
Chapters
Note: Timestamps are approximate and may differ significantly across various listening platforms due to dynamically inserted ads.
(7:21) Insights from thousands of executive searches
(8:00) The nine indicators of high performers
(19:36) Fast thinkers, slow thinkers, and identifying your strengths
(22:00) The correlation between response time and performance
(23:13) Assessing agility through real-world scenarios
(40:51) The growing importance of purpose for younger employees
(41:20) The impact of adversity on motivation and ambition
(48:48) The value of curiosity as a significant career asset
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Discover how to recruit beyond just résumés by identifying mental frameworks, response times, and work style tendencies that indicate a team's potential for success.