TJ Graff on Predictive Hiring, Driver Turnover & Second Chance Programs | Behind The Wheelhouse

In this episode of Behind the Wheelhouse, we sit down with TJ Graff, CEO of Star Behaviors and a 22-year industry veteran, to break down one of the biggest structural failures in trucking: driver turnover.TJ drove for 22 years — including convoy missions in Iraq and Afghanistan — before transitioning into recruiting and behavioral assessment. His conclusion? Trucking doesn’t have a driver shortage problem. It has a hiring and system alignment problem.We discuss: • Why traditional qualification-based hiring fuels 75–125% annual turnover • The true cost of replacing a driver (over $12,000 per hire) • Predictive hiring vs. “meat in the seat” recruiting • Behavioral indicators that compliance checks completely miss • Safety, customer service, teamwork & personal accountability • Why drivers should be treated like customers • The SAP program & FMCSA Clearinghouse explained • What second chance programs should (and shouldn’t) look like • How Star Path raises the safety bar instead of lowering itTJ explains how behavioral assessments can identify drivers who are aligned with a company’s culture, freight profile, and long-term expectations — reducing churn, strengthening safety, and improving profitability.If the industry wants to reduce turnover, nuclear verdict exposure, and hiring fatigue, it may be time to stop moving faster — and start hiring smarter.🔗 Learn more about Star Behaviors: https://starbehaviors.com Follow TJ Graff on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tj-graff-700772a?originalSubdomain=mxFollow Trucker Talk Radio YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TruckerTalkRadio TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@truckertalkradio Instagram: https://instagram.com/truckertalkradio X: https://x.com/trucktalkradioPowered by Ready App The driver-verification platform protecting brokers, carriers, and shippers from identity fraud, onboarding risks, and unsafe hires. Learn more at: https://ready-app.comSupport GreyCross.org A 501(c)(3) supporting families affected by roadway tragedies across America. Donate at: https://greycross.org