Adam Ward (founding partner, Growth by Design) discusses the current landscape of executive hiring in people/talent roles, particularly the prevalence of "pocket listings" - positions filled through private networks rather than public postings. He offers insights into what CEOs value in people leaders (business-driven mindset, operational excellence), how candidates can effectively navigate professional networks, and the importance of structured hiring processes.
*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co
For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/
HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.
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LINKS:
Growth By Talent: https://www.gbdtalent.com/
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KEEP UP WITH ADAM, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN
Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampward/
Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/
Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/
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REFERENCE:
“Give and Take” by Adam Grant:
https://adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:57) The "Pocket Listing" Phenomenon in Executive Hiring
(02:22) Unpacking the Reasons Behind Covert Hiring Practices
(03:59) Practical Strategies for Candidates to Expand Their Networks and Access Hidden Opportunities
(05:03) Cultivating a Personal "Board of Advisors" for Career Guidance and Opportunity Awareness
(08:41) The Importance of "Give and Take" in Networking and Building Mutually Beneficial Relationships
(09:43) Defining the Qualities of a Successful Head of People/Talent: The CEO's Perspective
(11:10) A "Business-Driven" Approach to HR Leadership
(13:04) Moving Beyond Quantity to Focus on Quality
(16:04) Sponsor: Metaview
(18:07) Identifying Must-Have Skills and Experiences for a Head of People Role
(19:14) The "CEO Whisperer" Role: Balancing Support and Independent Counsel
(21:57) Identifying Traits That May Hinder a People Leader's Job Search Success
(23:08) Addressing Polarities and Calibrating Expectations Within Hiring Teams
(26:48) The Resurgence of Candidate Experience as a Differentiator in a Competitive Market
(28:53) Why Top Talent Approaches Job Opportunities with Caution
(31:24) Defining the Scope and Focus of the Head of Talent Role in Today's Environment
(36:04) How Candidates Should Effectively Interact with Executive Search Firms
(41:52) Values Alignment: How To Find a Successful Values Match For Company Culture
(42:05) What Causes Executive Placements to Fail?
(44:55) Wrap
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