HIRE
AI Changed the Game. Your Hiring Should Too.
AI isn't the enemy. It's a tool. Candidates are using it, just like you (hopefully) are. But that means your playbook needs an update.
The Problem:
- Resumes are polished and harder to differentiate
- Projects, tests, and scripted answers are sharper than ever
- Candidates are getting coached through virtual interviews in real time
The Fix:
- Ask about specific experiences with names, dates, and details
- Go off-script and follow up with "tell me more"
- Use working interviews or trial projects when possible
AI raised the bar. Time to raise yours.
LEAD
You Set Expectations. Then Forgot. So Did They.
I still make this mistake. Share expectations once, assume it landed, then get frustrated when they didn't.
The truth: saying it once isn't setting expectations. It's just talking.
Why This Happens:
- You're busy and assume they got it
- They nodded, so you moved on
- Nobody wrote it down
The Fix:
- Set expectations before they start, not after they mess up
- Repeat them in onboarding, training, and every 1-on-1
- Reward when met. Coach when missed.
- Encourage your team to call you out when there's a gap
You wouldn't keep spending money somewhere that didn't meet your expectations. Don't keep paying someone who doesn't either.
GROW
Goals Keep People Employed. Set Them.
Most teams confuse effort for results. So do most people. One fills your calendar. The other adds actual value. Being "busy" is a skill everyone seems to have. Fewer understand impact.
Why Leaders Avoid Setting Goals:
- Not clear on what success looks like yourself
- Afraid they'll push back, quit, or make it awkward
- Hope they'll just figure it out
Why Leaders Should Anyway:
- People want to know if they're winning
- A-players love goals because they prove impact
- It replaces guessing with clarity and lets you coach instead of criticize
Goals aren't pressure. They're the fairest thing you can give someone you're paying.