The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson is a philosophy that highlights the importance of making simple daily choices and taking small actions that, when compounded over time, lead to massive outcomes. The book stresses that success is not the result of big leaps or overnight successes, but rather the accumulation of small, almost insignificant actions. It encourages readers to adopt a mindset where they see time as an ally, recognizing that consistent daily disciplines, such as healthy habits, saving, and continuous learning, are crucial for achieving success. The book also emphasizes the importance of faith in the process, as results may not be immediately visible, and the need to base choices on a personal philosophy rather than immediate evidence[1][3][5].
This book explores the fundamental causes of team failure and organizational politics through a narrative about a fictional company, DecisionTech, Inc. It outlines five dysfunctions: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. The book provides practical advice and real-world examples to help teams overcome these dysfunctions and become high-performing teams.
A book about time management and how to live a more fulfilling life.
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
In this episode of Take the Stage, Brad Bialy is joined by Mike Cleland, founder of Charted Path, for an insightful conversation on the real challenges and opportunities in the staffing and recruiting industry. As economic data shows disconnects between GDP growth and staffing performance, Mike provides a compelling breakdown of why the industry has underperformed and how accountability at every level is the missing link. The two discuss the importance of strong sales culture, resilience in recruitment, and the critical role of leadership in driving lasting change. Mike shares hard-earned lessons from coaching hundreds of firms and breaks down what distinguishes high-performing teams from struggling ones. Whether you're leading a staffing firm or just getting started in the industry, this episode delivers a masterclass in growth strategy, cultural alignment, and personal development.
5 Key Takeaways from This Episode:
✅ Who is accountable for the staffing industry’s underperformance?
✅ Become a sales team, not order takers
✅ How should you address toxic high-performers?
✅ Common traits of a company poised for growth
✅ Can small firms compete with the Goliaths in the room?
Chapters & Key Moments
00:00 – Why the staffing industry is underperforming
01:25 – The accountability gap in staffing
03:56 – From order takers to proactive sales teams
06:31 – Sales rejection, resiliency, and realignment
08:05 – Leadership's role in resetting accountability
09:53 – Coaching high-performers and learning from them
11:28 – Top-down and peer-to-peer accountability
13:41 – Culture and the power of peer influence
15:13 – Addressing toxic high-performers
18:17 – Red flags in staffing firm culture
20:45 – Traits of a company poised for growth
26:32 – Can small firms compete with Goliaths?
28:21 – About Charted Path and Mike’s work
29:29 – The book that changed Mike’s business mindset
34:06 – Advice for those starting in staffing
About the Speakers
Brad Bialy has a deep passion for helping staffing and recruiting firms achieve their business objectives through strategic digital marketing. For over a decade, Brad has developed a proven track record of motivating and educating staffing industry professionals at over 100 industry-specific conferences and webinars. As a visionary leader, Brad has helped guide the comprehensive marketing strategy of more than 300 staffing and recruiting firms. His keen eye for strategy and delivery has resulted in multiple industry award-winning social media campaigns, making him a sought-after expert and speaker in the industry.
With over 30 years of experience in the staffing industry, Mike Cleland helps executives achieve their growth goals through leadership development and organization design. As the founder of Charted Path, Mike has worked with owners and executives on optimizing organizational structure, company governance, business planning, sales strategy, process improvement, performance management, and compensation plan development. Mike has worked with over 140 companies ranging from start-up to $600 million in every major staffing vertical.
As a former president of a $60 million IT staffing company, Mike understands the practical challenges of execution and helps clients develop focused and feasible solutions that management teams can implement. When not working with his clients, Mike shares his knowledge through various articles and speaking engagements. His latest book Breaking Through: Leadership Disciplines from Top Performing Staffing Firms, was co-authored with Barry Asin, President of SIA, as a follow-up to Behind the Wheel: Driving Excellence in Staffing Operations. Mike was named to the Staffing Industry Analysts Top 100 in Staffing for many years. He is also an Everything DiSC and Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team Partner as well as a Certified Contingent Workforce Professional through Staffing Industry Analysts.
Secrets of Staffing Success 
