Ep 46 Thriving Through Turbulence: RPO Leadership Resilliance with Terry Terhark

Global RPO revenue growth took a stark turn, with 2024 marking a -13% drop and 2025 showing flat or even negative growth (according to multiple industry analysts). As the RPO industry faces unstable markets, leaders must navigate economic uncertainty, mounting client caution, and the soaring demand for frontline hiring. Only those who adapt strategy and blend innovation with trusted relationships will seize the opportunities in this challenging climate.Confronting this turbulence, this episode—recorded live at the 2025 RPOA Annual Conference, cementing RPOA’s role as the trusted convener for the industry—dives deep. Host Lamees Abourahma sits down with RPO pioneer Terry Terhart (former CEO, enterprise RPO leader) to share how RPO providers can balance AI with human touch, sustain profitability, and stand out through flexibility, creativity, and enduring client partnerships. Tune in for actionable strategies from the heart of the RPO community.NXTThing is a sponsor of the 2025 RPOA Annual Conference and a Silver Member of the RPO Association.Learn about and find more content from the 2025 RPOA Annual Conference here. About the PodcastTime to Hire is produced by the Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association (RPOA), the leading authority on recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) foresight and innovation, and the trusted convener for the global RPO community. Through conversations with industry leaders, the podcast explores the trends, insights, and innovations shaping the future of talent acquisition.Learn more about RPOA and join the community at: https://www.rpoassociation.org.Follow the host, Lamees Abourahma, on LinkedIn.