The recruitment process today is broken. For many companies and candidates alike, it feels like an endless battle. In the 198th episode of The Leadership Project podcast, Mick Spiers shared his reflections from an enlightening interview with Richard Triggs of Arete Executive about winning the war for talent. He also conducted his version of the famous Dartmouth facial scar experiment, which delves into biases and perceptions. Here are his thoughts and takeaways on these critical topics.
Rethinking the Recruitment Process
Why is it that the recruitment process isn't effective for most companies or candidates? Richard Triggs, CEO and founder of Arete Executive and author of Winning the War for Talent, offers some valuable insights. They discussed the significant differences between internal and external talent acquisition and when to use each.
Internal vs. External Recruitment
Internal recruitment is typically used for filling a large volume of roles, where the cost of going to an external agency might be prohibitive. On the other hand, external agencies are valuable when looking for very specific skill sets or when headhunting. Yet, many companies lean entirely on one approach or the other, whereas a hybrid strategy might yield better results.
The Key to Finding the Right Candidate
Richard emphasized the importance of being specific about the challenges connected to a role—not just the job title. Generic advertisements attract generic results. For example, a CEO required to grow a business will be different from a CEO needed to prepare a company for sale. Specificity in job ads results in better candidates who understand what they’re getting into, thus expediting the recruitment process.
The Dartmouth Facial Scar Experiment
In the 1970s, Kleck and Strenta conducted a fascinating experiment. Subjects were about to go into a job interview but first had a makeup artist apply a fake scar on their faces. Just before the interview, the scar was supposedly "touched up" but actually removed. Participants reported feeling judged and believing they experienced bias due to the nonexistent scar.
Mick Spiers' Personal Experiment
Recently, Mick experienced something similar due to undergoing treatment for his skin cancer, which left his face red and blotchy. On days he reminded himself of his facial marks, he felt like people were staring at him. On days he forgot about it, there was no noticeable difference. This perfectly mirrored the Dartmouth study: we suffer more in our minds than in reality.
The Expectation Effect
David Robson's The Expectation Effect explores how our attitudes and expectations shape our realities. The placebo effect even works when people know they're taking sugar pills, highlighting the incredible power of our expectations. Whether in medical treatments or daily interactions, our expectations can create self-fulfilling prophecies.
Leadership Reflections of the Week
Reflecting daily has been a cornerstone of his routine for the past 11 years. Here are some
of his key insights from this week:
What Went Well?
Successfully putting his facial marks out of my mind and realizing people were not actually staring or judging me reminded him to focus on his internal self-belief rather than external validation.
What Didn’t Go Well?
The passing of his sister-in-law was sad and challenging. It reminded him of the importance of cherishing memories and reflecting on the positives rather than regrets.
What Would He Do Differently?
During tough times, we often lament things we didn't do. Instead, it’s vital to remember and honour the good times and appreciate the legacy left behind.
What Did I Learn About Myself?
He realized that he was stronger than he thought and should focus less on whether others were judging him. Personal pride and self-acceptance are far more valuable.
What did I Learn About Others?
Everyone grieves differently. Offering support involves asking what they need rather than assuming. The most helpful actions come from understanding their specific needs during their time of grief.
Final Thoughts
Speeding up the recruitment process involves being specific and strategic about the roles you're filling. Meanwhile, conquering the fear of judgment starts with overcoming our internal biases and setting positive expectations. By focusing on these adjustments, we can create more effective recruitment strategies and a healthier mindset.
Tune in to the 199th episode of The Leadership Project, where we'll discuss the role of mindfulness in leadership with Pam Marcheski. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social media for weekly insights and discussions.
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Thank you for joining us on this episode. Remember to take care, look out for each other, and let's lead together.
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