What does it take to build a hiring powerhouse? In this episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David Politis sits down with Daniel Chait, Co-Founder and CEO of Greenhouse, to discuss his journey from software engineer to leading one of the most influential hiring platforms.
Daniel shares insights on structured hiring, the importance of early-stage learning, navigating investor challenges, and how leadership evolves as a company scales.
Takeaways:
- Defining a Clear Mission from the Start: Many hiring platforms focused on reducing administrative burden, but Greenhouse took a different approach. Daniel explains how taking the time to clarify their mission—helping companies become great at hiring—set them apart and shaped their long-term success.
- Creative Validation Before Building: Before launching Greenhouse, Daniel and his co-founder tested their hiring methodology through in-person workshops, using index cards to help companies structure their hiring processes. This early validation gave them confidence in their approach.
- Navigating the Venture Capital Journey: Fundraising wasn’t easy—Daniel and his co-founder struggled to secure their initial capital. He shares how they ultimately raised money, the challenges of pitching to 60+ investors, and why persistence is key in venture-backed startups.
- The Art of Hiring & Performance Management: Daniel reveals why great hiring is one of the most powerful management tools. He discusses how strong recruiting processes make it easier for leaders to build high-performing teams and remove underperformers without fear.
- The Evolution of CEO Responsibilities: As Greenhouse grew from a small startup to a global business with over $200 million in revenue, Daniel’s role shifted. He shares how he balances strategy, communication, and hands-on involvement to drive success at scale.
- Lessons from Tough Times: The COVID-19 pandemic forced Greenhouse to rapidly adapt as hiring slowed across industries. Daniel reflects on how they navigated uncertainty, supported customers, and came out stronger on the other side.
Quote of the Show:
- “ I'm like a bazooka… it's not the right tool for every job… but there’s some problems that only a bazooka can solve.” - Daniel Chait
Links:
Ways to Tune In:
#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Greenhouse
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:28 What You’d Do Again As CEO
3:10 Validating the Business Idea
5:37 The Role of Structured Hiring
12:41 Hiring Strategies and Challenges
22:54 Scaling and Leadership Evolution
25:35 Effective Communication as a CEO
30:25 Adapting Company Meetings
33:56 Raising Early Stage Investments
37:42 Strategizing for Series A and Beyond
43:17 Building a Tech Business in Early New York
49:54 Biggest Challenges Faced
52:52 Remote Work and Future Vision
58:44 Daniel’s Background
1:06:40 Advice to Younger Self
1:08:49 Outro
