The Hiring Equation: Five Steps to Smarter Hiring - S1E14

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 sourcingHow to use screening steps to save time and energyThe key interview question that reveals true candidate alignmentWhy assessments should inform—not dictate—your decisionsHow to use references to confirm or challenge your gutThe one mindset shift that turns hiring into a long-term investmentEpisode 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 itResources Mentioned:Assessment tools (DISC, Enneagram, etc.)Hiring avatar and role clarity frameworksExample 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.