Shannon McKechnie didn’t wait for life to hand her the perfect plan, she built one step by step. From leaving school unsure of her path, to finding her competitive spark in a call centre, to rising quickly through Reed and Search, Shannon’s journey is one of graft, resilience, and choosing bravery even when it felt uncomfortable.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Shannon to uncover the real story behind her career in recruitment and how it led her to becoming Managing Director at MBN Solutions. From the shift from traditional face-to-face hiring to AI-driven talent processes, to navigating a male-dominated tech sector, Shannon’s path has been shaped by bold decisions, difficult lessons, and learning to lead as herself.

This conversation goes deep into the realities of recruitment today: why CVs often miss the truth, how AI is changing the game for candidates and employers, and why human connection still matters more than ever. Shannon also opens up about the impact of COVID, the career coaching that redirected her path, and the support that helped her grow into the leader she is now. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt stuck in the wrong version of success, or wondered how to take the next brave step, Shannon’s story will resonate.

Key moments include: ✔️ Starting in a call centre and discovering her competitive streak ✔️ Breaking into recruitment and rising quickly through Reed and Search ✔️ Becoming one of the youngest leaders in the business at 29 ✔️ Why CVs are no longer fit for purpose in an AI-driven hiring world ✔️ The impact of COVID, furlough, and working with a career coach ✔️ Leaving a long-term employer and choosing bravery over comfort ✔️ Moving into data and AI recruitment and joining MBN Solutions ✔️ The crucial support from CEO Michael and being allowed to lead as herself ✔️ The realities for women in male-dominated industries and caring roles ✔️ How to challenge negative self-talk and build bravery ✔️ Why attitude, personality, and human connection still matter more than keywords ✔️ Redefining success as happiness, gratitude, and freedom ✔️ Shannon’s top three pieces of advice: kindness, bravery, and finding joy

Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jamesflemingmq/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com

Follow Shannon: Shannon LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonmckechnie/ Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/mbn-recruitment-solutions/

Timestamps [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Shannon [00:00:51] Shannon introduces herself and MBN Solutions [02:16] AI, fear, speed, and how it’s changing recruitment [07:17] Why CVs aren’t accurate and the rise of video-first hiring [12:07] Recruitment challenges, sales hiring, and candidate truthfulness [16:06] Shannon’s early life, call centre days, and start in recruitment [19:27] Discovering competitiveness and rising quickly at Reed [22:30] Becoming one of the youngest associate directors at Search [25:42] COVID, furlough, and working with a career coach [29:06] Moving into tech and AI recruitment [29:50] Joining MBN Solutions and stepping into the MD role [30:20] Support from CEO Michael and leading authentically [33:07] Female role models and shaping her leadership style [36:52] Redefining success as happiness, freedom, and people [41:10] The realities for women in business and caring roles [43:45] How to build bravery and shift negative self-talk [53:00] How candidates can stand out in today’s job market [55:59] Shannon’s top three pieces of advice [57:10] James closes the episode