In this episode of The TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley sits down with startup talent expert Natalie Ledbetter to dive into one of the biggest challenges in high-growth companies—hiring the right people at the right time. Natalie, a seasoned Chief People Officer and startup advisor, shares her framework for identifying the ideal talent DNA for each phase of a company's growth.

They explore why hiring a big-name executive from a later-stage company can backfire in an early-stage startup, how founders should think about strategists, problem-solvers, and executors, and the hidden costs of misaligned hires—from lost runway to culture disruptions. Taylor and Natalie also tackle a hot topic: how to normalize “stage-appropriate” employee transitions so founders and teams can scale successfully without fear of inevitable attrition.

If you're a founder, HR leader, or startup operator navigating talent strategy, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on building high-performing, stage-appropriate teams.

For more episodes and to join the TroopHR community, visit troophr.com.

Credits

TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin

Show Producer: Nicole Fealey

Show Host: Taylor Bradley

Note: Transcripts generated by AI.