In this final episode of first series of The Leader Formula podcast, Chris and Steve walk through the five key stages of an effective hiring process—and why skipping even one can cost you more than just a bad hire. From sourcing and screening to interviews, assessments, and reference checks, they’ll guide you through each step with practical tips, honest stories, and a few insights you may not have considered before. Whether you're hiring your first admin or scaling a leadership team, this framework will help you make smarter, more confident decisions.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why "just posting the job" is the worst way to start sourcing
• How to use screening steps to save time and energy
• The key interview question that reveals true candidate alignment
• Why assessments should inform—not dictate—your decisions
• How to use references to confirm or challenge your gut
• The one mindset shift that turns hiring into a long-term investment

Episode Breakdown (with loose time codes):

• [00:00] – The five-stage framework: sourcing, screening, interviewing, assessments, reference checks
• [05:00] – Why sourcing is more than job boards—and how to use your network
• [10:00] – What effective screening looks like and why it’s more than just reviewing resumes
• [14:30] – The role of assessments and how to interpret them wisely
• [25:00] – Common interview pitfalls and how to avoid being blinded by charm
• [34:00] – The power (and purpose) of reference checks
• [40:45] – Why every hire is a million-dollar decision—and how to act like it

Resources Mentioned:

• Assessment tools (DISC, Enneagram, etc.)
• Hiring avatar and role clarity frameworks
• Example reference check questions (available by request)

Let’s Connect:

Have questions or want help creating a hiring process tailored to your team? Reach out to us at [insert email or website].

And if this episode helped you rethink your hiring strategy, share it with another leader who could use it.

Before you post that job or schedule an interview, there's a critical step that most leaders skip—and it’s costing them time, money, and peace of mind. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the concept of the candidate avatar—a clear, written profile of your ideal hire—and explain why defining who you’re looking for is the foundation of every great hire.

From missing persons reports to dating analogies, this episode brings humor, wisdom, and practical tools to help you sharpen your hiring clarity and avoid common traps.

If you're tired of vague hiring processes and mismatched team members, this conversation will help you lead with purpose and precision.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

• Why starting “on paper” is the most important step in hiring
• How to create a clear, detailed candidate avatar
• What complement really means when building a team
• The difference between what can be taught—and what must already be there
• Why hiring is more like dating than you think

🕒 Rough Timecodes:

• 00:00 – Intro and context: what is a candidate avatar?
• 01:20 – The “missing person” analogy: why vague doesn’t work
• 03:00 – Clarity is power: the foggy image vs. a crisp profile
• 05:15 – How to define complementary skills, chemistry, and values
• 08:50 – What you can coach vs. what must be innate
• 11:10 – Growth mindset, red flags, and spotting the real candidate
• 13:15 – Hiring as a relationship: mindset for leaders
• 20:00 – The dating analogy: evaluating fit through the whole process

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• DISC Personality Profile
• Motivational Interviewing
• ChatGPT for hiring prompts

📌 Next Episode Teaser:

Coming up next—The Hiring Equation continues with a deep dive into crafting an intentional, step-by-step hiring process that actually reveals who someone is… not just what they want you to hear.

Let me know if you’d like a shorter version for social sharing, or if you’d like a matching email or blog teaser for your audience!

Ask ChatGPT

Whether you’re hiring your first team member or your next key leader, one thing remains true: clarity is kindness—and essential for growth. In this episode, Chris and Steve unpack the mindset and tools every leader needs to hire well and build a team that lasts.

They explore the concept of the “Missing Persons Report”—a strategic way to define the gaps in your organization—and how to use org charts and expectations to align roles with your vision. You’ll also learn about the different levels of talent (potential, emerging, proven) and when each one fits your business best.

If you've ever had a hire go sideways—or you're feeling unclear about what to hire next—this conversation is a must.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What a “Missing Persons Report” is—and how to create one
• Why starting with you is still the most important part of hiring
• The difference between job descriptions and real KPIs
• How to match the right kind of talent to your stage of business
• Why hiring without clear expectations sets both sides up for failure
• The two kinds of expectations every leader needs to clarify: role-based and relational

Resources Mentioned:

• The E-Myth by Michael Gerber (implied reference to working on vs. in your business)
• DISC Personality Assessment
• “Why Emotions Matter” by Tristan and Jonathan Collins
• Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence framework

Join the Conversation: What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made—or avoided—when hiring? We’d love to hear your insights and experiences. Email us at [your email] or connect on [Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn].