Hire Learning with Oz Rashid

We’re joined by Brad Wilson, Senior HR Leader, Speaker, and Author of “Good Works.” Brad shares why culture must be built around kindness and purpose — not control — and how leaders can make (or break) engagement at scale.Key Takeaways:(03:47) Leading with kindness creates more productive and engaged work environments.(07:21) Most employees lack engagement due to unclear purpose and poor leadership.(09:07) Purpose-driven professionals take initiative, stay longer, and drive better results.(12:20) Toxic leadership behaviors at the top quickly spread across entire organizations.(16:12) Hiring should prioritize people who align with values, not just skill sets.(18:37) Great candidates show follow-through by setting and achieving meaningful personal goals.(22:17) Unstructured interviews lead to misaligned hires and inconsistent team dynamics.(25:44) Staying too long in the wrong culture damages growth and well-being.(31:56) The best cultures blend startup energy with mission-driven goals and great people.Resources Mentioned:Brad Wilsonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-j-wilson-mss-sphr-gphr-sphri-cptd/“Good to Great” by Jim Collinshttps://www.jimcollins.com/books.htmlBrené Brown Bookshttps://brenebrown.com/books-audio/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

We’re joined by Jaime Gabriel, Executive HR Leader and Talent Strategist, formerly of AMEX and Altice. She shares practical lessons from leading HR at major enterprises and offers a fresh approach to hiring, feedback, and team dynamics.Key Takeaways:(04:44) Programs succeed if designed around how employees will use them.(07:40) Teams function better when leaders model the standards they expect.(10:45) Every company communicates its reputation, whether it intends to or not.(13:20) Messages that once worked often need adjustment as organizations grow.(16:54) Hiring for variety in skills and perspective strengthens the whole team.(18:57) Job decisions are personal and deserve thoughtful communication.(25:20) Trust between recruiter and candidate can shape long-term relationships.(33:25) Automating repetitive tasks gives people more time for meaningful work.(37:30) Even solo operators can use technology to improve how they show up.(40:25) Making time for personal development helps leaders stay sharp and effective.Resources Mentioned:Jaime Gabrielhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimebgabriel/AMEXhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/american-express/Alticehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/altice-usa/Gabriel Consulting Serviceshttp://www.gabrielconsultingservices.comThank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

We’re joined by Mandy Monk, Executive Director and Chief People Officer at The People AdvisERs, whose career began in engineering and technology leadership before transitioning into people strategy. Mandy shares how her systems-based approach shapes the way she identifies, develops, and scales talent. From rethinking hiring practices to integrating AI and reimagining what a career path can look like, Mandy offers fresh insight for anyone serious about building high-performing teams in modern organizations.Key Takeaways:(03:41) Training others revealed a deeper passion for building internal knowledge and capability.(08:49) Identifying potential beyond traditional career paths unlocks hidden team strengths.(11:27) Building careers around strengths, not titles, drives long-term engagement and growth.(15:31) Today’s careers are nonlinear, requiring flexibility and broad skill development.(16:07) Hiring for culture and curiosity builds more resilient, values-driven teams.(23:00) Understanding team-level culture is critical to making the right hire.(26:01) AI can accelerate hiring workflows without sacrificing candidate quality or care.(27:40) Job clarity and structured evaluation improve speed and decision quality at scale.(36:14) Taking early career risks can lead to meaningful leadership opportunities later.Resources Mentioned:Mandy Monkhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mandymonk/“The Ideal Team Player” by Patrick Lencionihttps://www.tablegroup.com/product/ideal-team-player/?srsltid=AfmBOoqVpmbw3g5Q_UnKmqIfqDF3zqYvtBZYL-aO1AjaqQM54AJXtygY“The 5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbinshttps://www.melrobbins.com/books/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

In this episode of the inaugural episode of this mini-series, Oz Rashid sits down with Matt Gorman, Chief Revenue Officer of MSH, and Corey Bernis, Vice President, Talent Solutions at MSH, for an unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to build high-performing teams. They reflect on the early days of MSH, the evolution of company culture, and the delicate balance between trust, accountability, and psychological safety. This is a raw look into how leadership thinks about hiring, integration, healthy conflict, and the responsibility of living company values out loud.Key takeaways:(04:33) What playing on a championship-bound high school baseball team taught Corey about trust and chemistry.(06:27) What to look for in a high-performing team — and how clarity fuels momentum.(08:03) Trust in leadership: the foundation for any ambitious company goal.(12:42) Why healthy conflict matters — and what happens when no one speaks up.(15:51) Creating space for hard conversations without leadership stepping in too fast.(22:52) Corey’s early days at MSH and how low psychological safety pushed him to grow.(27:22) Has psychological safety gone too far — and how that impacts growth.(35:19) Safe cultures reward honesty, not perfection.(42:09) Successful onboarding starts with exposure to every team and function.(58:39) “We Before Me”: The simple truth behind every great team.Resources Mentioned:Matt Gormanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgormangtm/Corey Bernishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/coreybernis/MSHhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/talentmsh/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com.  #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

On this episode, we’re joined by Shashank Shekhar, Founder and CEO of InstaMortgage, a category-defining fintech company in the mortgage industry. Shashank shares his remarkable journey from arriving in the US with no network or software background to building a thriving, award-winning business during a financial crisis. He opens up about hiring missteps, how to build a high-performance culture without micromanagement, and the future of work with AI-driven teams.He also discusses the importance of values-based leadership, the dangers of hiring based on brand names alone, and how founders can stay resilient through failures.Key Takeaways:(05:25) Why culture outranks everything, even skill.(09:40) Walking the talk when building company culture.(10:33) Why great leaders balance empathy and high standards.(15:17) The “success syndrome” and learning from failure.(18:41) What leaders must know about the AI knowledge gap.(23:15) Why productivity metrics must evolve in the age of AI.(28:36) Shashank’s hiring philosophy: culture fit over credentials.(30:23) Favorite interview question that exposes character.(38:43) A strong tech stack limits hiring risk and speeds onboarding.Resources Mentioned:Shashank Shekharhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisshashank/InstaMortgage | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/instamortgage1/InstaMorgage | Websitehttps://instamortgage.com/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

We’re joined by Monique Manso, Chief Revenue Officer of Essence Ventures. Monique shares her journey through corporate media, her return to Essence, and how purpose and performance drive her leadership today. She explains how hiring for care, not just capability, shapes her team, and why transparency and human connection are at the heart of every role she fills.We also dive into how brands must act with intention to authentically serve today’s multicultural audiences, and why Monique believes this isn’t a DEI issue — it’s a business one.Key Takeaways:(06:03) Custom content and experiential platforms are central to modern media growth.(10:08) Leaders create lasting impact when they focus on community and purpose.(13:03) Companies that ignore multicultural consumers risk becoming irrelevant.(23:42) Finding diverse talent requires expanding your network and mindset.(26:46) Hiring for passion and care is just as important as skills and experience.(33:07) Great hires often come from those who bring both energy and a problem-solving mindset.(40:33) Learning to prioritize is essential when demands always outpace time.Resources Mentioned:Monique Mansohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemanso/Essence Ventures | Websitehttps://www.essence.com/essence-ventures-1/New Voices Foundation | Websitehttps://newvoicesfoundation.org/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

On this episode, we’re joined by Catherine Mitchell, Senior Vice President of InnovAge and a seasoned healthcare operator with a passion for building teams that lead with empathy, adaptability, and purpose. Catherine shares how her early personal experiences shaped her leadership style, and why hiring for story and transferable skills often leads to better outcomes.Catherine and Oz discuss how to build resilient healthcare cultures, the importance of non-linear thinking in hiring, and how AI may reshape how we evaluate talent. Catherine also opens up about common hiring mistakes — including the danger of overvaluing referrals — and what she looks for in candidates beyond the résumé.Key Takeaways:(03:03) Caring for a chronically ill parent shaped Catherine’s leadership lens.(04:45) Why healthcare complexity makes empathy essential.(10:22) Emotional intelligence and curiosity are highly transferable.(13:14) AI can help uncover non-linear hiring potential.(21:51) Look for the story, not just the résumé.(26:43) Strong hires can explain what they’ve learned from failure.(30:14) Great leaders mentor for the long term.(32:51) Job-hopping may signal deeper decision-making issues.(35:10) Culture fit goes both ways during interviews.(38:18) Catherine’s top advice: Be brave, take the risk.Resources Mentioned:Catherine Mitchellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-mitchell-319a0b10/InnovAge | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/myinnovage/InnovAge | Websitehttps://www.innovage.com/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

On this episode, Oz Rashid talks with Jose Siade, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of TechWisp, and former SVP of Product at LPL Financial. Jose unpacks what it really means to build product-market fit, shares battle-tested lessons from running product in traditional and emerging markets, and explains why hiring for motivation, not just qualifications, leads to lasting team impact.From structuring MVPs to navigating startup constraints, this conversation is packed with valuable insights for product leaders, founders, and hiring managers looking to scale with intention.Key Takeaways:(02:25) Supporting independent professionals requires understanding their unique business and technology needs.(05:13) Collaboration between product, development, and sales teams drives innovation and organizational success.(11:58) Achieving the right fit between solutions and market needs is crucial for sustainability.(17:12) Measuring meaningful outcomes and gathering actionable feedback are essential for growth.(23:03) Operational and process optimization skills are valuable in today’s changing work environment.(29:52) Understanding what motivates individuals can boost engagement and team performance.(31:40) Positive experiences during hiring and interviews influence perceptions of organizations and opportunities.(47:17) Balancing hard work with enjoyment and reflection leads to a more fulfilling career journey.Resources Mentioned:Jose Siadehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/josesiade/TechWisp | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/techwisp/TechWisp | Websitehttps://techwisp.ai/Built By Prime | Websitehttps://www.builtbyprime.com/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

On this episode, host Oz Rashid talks to Ari Murray, Chief Growth Officer of Sharma Brands and Creator of Go-to-Millions and Workweek. Ari shares how an unconventional journey shaped her unique lens on hiring, growth, and personal branding. She explains what makes a candidate stand out (hint: it’s not the résumé), why energy and curiosity matter more than polish, and how one cold email changed everything. From building a newsletter read by tens of thousands to helping scale D2C brands behind the scenes, Ari offers specific advice for anyone trying to build momentum in their career.Key Takeaways:(05:42) Ari flunked out of college and dropped out of law school before finding e-commerce.(09:36) Success in D2C requires deep focus on measurable performance, especially in channels like Meta and Shopify.(11:53) Not all ROI is trackable, so model what matters.(13:22) Go-to-Millions started as a side project and now reaches over 55K subscribers.(18:02) When hiring, Ari looks for energy, prep, and people she’d want beside her.(20:48) Her favorite interview started with a research-packed cold email.(26:35) Simple, dense résumés with clear tech stacks always stand out.(32:48) Her advice to her younger self: take risks, jump jobs early, and learn fast.Resources Mentioned:Ari Murrayhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/arimurray/Sharma Brands | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/sharmabrands/Sharma Brands | Websitehttps://sharmabrands.com/Go-to-Millions | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/go-to-millions/Go-to-Millions | Websitehttps://gotomillions.co/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=GTMWorkweek | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/workweek-media/Workweek | Websitehttps://workweek.com/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com.  #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrend

On this episode, we’re joined by Victoria Pelletier, Vice President of Enterprise Transformation at Kyndryl, who stepped into a COO role at 24 and never looked back. A former child actor, TEDx speaker, and branding expert, Victoria shares how her journey from “Iron Maiden” to “whole-human leader” reshaped how she hires, leads, and shows up authentically. From building resilient teams to embracing emotional intelligence, her insights offer a powerful blueprint for anyone hiring or leading in today’s workplace.Key Takeaways:(01:27) Early grit and leadership propelled Victoria to COO at age 24.(06:50) Confidence can be mistaken for competence, especially for young leaders.(10:19) Building an authentic personal brand opens doors and opportunities.(15:54) Trusted leaders and growth mindsets are vital for organizational transformation.(16:57) Vulnerability and authenticity improve leadership and team culture.(25:09) Even experienced performers get nervous when speaking as their authentic selves.(29:33) Hiring for diversity, fit, and learning agility strengthens teams.(35:21) Learning agility matters more than rehearsed answers in interviews.Resources Mentioned:Victoria Pelletierhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriapelletier/Victoria Pelletier’s | Websitehttp://www.victoria-pelletier.com/Kyndrylhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/kyndryl/Embracing healthy resilience: Victoria Pelletier at TEDxMiamihttps://youtu.be/xFpknOCFMOg?feature=shared“The Power of Whole Human Leadership” by Victoria Pelletierhttps://victoria-pelletier.com/the-power-of-whole-human-leadership/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring

As Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer of ADT, Tim Rains brings a blend of urgency, discipline, and mission-driven leadership to the table. He and Oz discuss how a strong culture of accountability drives better hires, why structured interviews uncover top candidates, and how mentorship programs and cross-functional experience shape long-term success. Tim also shares lessons from his time at Microsoft, Amazon, and T-Mobile, including how mentorship circles and leadership principles helped shape his approach to team building and cybersecurity leadership.Key Takeaways:(02:03) Prioritize enterprise cybersecurity and product security to protect data and systems.(08:45) Urgency is critical for cybersecurity and incident response success.(11:30) Concise, written communication improves clarity and decision-making.(16:45) Mentor circles allow professionals to learn from peers as well as mentors.(19:09) Career advancement strategies include a broad skill set or becoming a trusted expert.(28:12) Prioritize cultural fit and organizational alignment.(38:15) Cybersecurity professionals who balance technical expertise with business acumen stand out in the field.(41:42) Focus on discipline, rather than fear, to support long-term career success.Resources Mentioned:Tim Rainshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/timrains/ADT | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/adt/ADT | Websitehttps://www.adt.com/Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. #TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz sits down with Chris Knight—founder of Chris Knight Coaching and a former nonprofit executive turned executive coach—to talk about building better teams, smarter hiring, and how to lead with curiosity.Chris brings 15+ years of leadership experience to the conversation and shares why mental fitness is the key to unlocking high-performance leadership. From his nonprofit days to launching his coaching practice, Chris has worked with leaders through inflection points, burnout, and everything in between.You’ll learn: Why the best interviews don’t feel like interviewsThe one question Chris always asks to test manager fitHow to spot coachability early in the hiring processWhat he looks for (and avoids) when building high-growth teamsA powerful story of a leader who turned failure into her biggest opportunityWhether you’re a founder, hiring manager, or someone building your own career with intention—this episode is filled with wisdom, heart, and practical tools.Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:42 – How Chris fell into coaching (and knew it was his calling) 05:10 – Why entrepreneurship is more about the stomach than the heart 08:04 – What “mental fitness” really means (and why leaders need it) 11:25 – A powerful coaching turnaround story 15:40 – The #1 reason coaching doesn’t work 18:25 – Why executive coaching should hurt your wallet a little 20:45 – Life in Buffalo and the startup scene there 24:18 – Chris’ hiring philosophy: adaptability over perfection 27:10 – The interview question every manager should ask 30:42 – When hiring goes wrong (and how to recover with grace) 36:55 – The case for treating hiring like a team sport 42:30 – Chris’ favorite books + advice for his 20-year-old self 45:00 – Buffalo vs. Boston vs. SF (and where to get the best wings) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz Rashid sits down with Judith Kaltschmitt, Chief Marketing Officer for Moët Hennessy (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), to explore what it takes to build world-class teams inside one of the most iconic luxury brand portfolios in the world.With over a decade of experience at Procter & Gamble and a passion for brand transformation, Judith shares how she hires for potential over pedigree—and why curiosity, attitude, and strategic thinking matter more than resume bullet points.You’ll learn:Why the best interviews don’t feel like interviewsHow she led a global brand turnaround in just 12 monthsHer case for hiring outside of the industryWhat she looks for in a standout candidateHow Moët Hennessy balances tradition with innovationWhether you’re hiring talent or building a career in marketing, luxury, or leadership—this episode is full of actionable insight.Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & welcome 02:00 – Judith’s role at Moët Hennessy and brand scope 04:45 – The culture inside a legacy luxury brand 07:30 – Procter & Gamble: the ultimate marketing school 10:50 – How to onboard fast in a new company 13:40 – Leading a brand turnaround in Pakistan 18:05 – How she thinks about talent and hiring 20:30 – Why she doesn’t prioritize category experience 22:15 – Her favorite interview ever (and what made it so effective) 24:00 – The one interview question she loves to ask 26:15 – Candidate experience: what makes it stand out 29:10 – The biggest hiring mistakes (and what she’s learned) 31:30 – Advice for better interview processes 34:45 – The best hire she’s ever made 36:30 – What she’s excited about right now in her role 39:20 – Gen Z drinking habits and alcohol-free trends 42:00 – Book recommendation: Thinking, Fast and Slow 43:50 – Her advice to her 20-year-old self 46:20 – Lightning round: favorite German cities, food, and sports legends 49:10 – Final thoughts and wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz sits down with Ira Birns, Executive Vice President and CFO at World Fuel Services—a Fortune 100 company and one of South Florida’s most respected global brands. With nearly 40 years of financial and leadership experience, Ira unpacks what most hiring managers get wrong when building teams—and why ignoring your “must-haves” in favor of “giving someone a chance” can be a costly mistake.From growing up in New York and starting as a paperboy to leading global finance teams and driving alignment across 1,000+ employees, Ira brings a wealth of perspective, candor, and wisdom to the conversation. Whether you're hiring your first employee or leading a large enterprise team, this episode is filled with practical, high-level takeaways for smarter leadership and sharper hiring.You’ll learn:Why strong hiring starts with discipline and clarityHow alignment (or lack of it) derails even the most talented teamsThe small moments in interviews that tell you everythingHow Ira builds trust across global teams—and why it matters more than everTimestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Meet Ira Birns 03:10 – From New York to South Florida: A CFO’s Journey 07:45 – Career Pivot: How Ira Got into Finance 13:30 – The First Day Doubt: Imposter Syndrome & Executive Growth 18:55 – Paperboy to Public Company CFO: Early Career Lessons 23:20 – Why Alignment is the Key to Scaled Leadership 27:40 – Keeping 1,000 People Aligned: Ira’s Global Communication Strategy 33:25 – Honoring His Mother Through Leadership & Legacy 39:10 – Ira’s Core Hiring Philosophy (And Why It Works) 42:15 – The #1 Hiring Mistake Most Managers Make 46:00 – Favorite Interview Questions That Uncover the Truth 50:00 – How to Spot a Bad Hire Before It’s Too Late 53:10 – Advice to His 20-Year-Old Self 56:20 – Rapid Fire: Yankees, Paper Routes, and PerspectiveThis a must-listen for hiring managers, CFOs, and anyone tasked with building and scaling high-performance teams! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI is changing everything—and no one understands that better than Jyot Singh, founder and CEO of RTS Labs.In this episode of Hire Learning, Jyot joins Oz Rashid to share how he pivoted his entire business to lead the AI revolution—and why he believes artificial intelligence will disrupt industries faster than electricity or the internet ever did.Jyot also opens up about his unlikely entrepreneurial journey, the power of relationships, and what it really takes to build a high-performing team in the age of AI. Whether you’re a founder, hiring leader, or technologist, this episode is packed with insights.🎧 What we cover:00:00 - Intro: Meet Jyot Singh, Founder & CEO of RTS Labs01:50 - From engineer in India to accidental entrepreneur in the U.S.07:30 - Early career adversity & losing a mentor11:10 - Lessons from a failed startup—and how it led to RTS14:45 - Why AI is like electricity (but faster)17:55 - The timing factor: What separates successful tech bets from failed ones20:30 - What most people still misunderstand about AI adoption24:40 - The internal pivot: How Jyot got his company to embrace AI28:15 - Leading change during uncertainty: Lessons for every founder30:40 - Why AI will be core to every business34:20 - Jyot’s core hiring philosophy: Hire owners, not order-takers38:10 - The most important interview question Jyot asks42:00 - The true cost of a bad hire (hint: it’s not just financial)45:20 - Advice for his 20-year-old self: “Your network is your currency” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz welcomes Dr. Rob Bogosian — faculty at George Washington University, founder of RvB Associates, and expert in executive development, culture transformation, and CEO succession planning.Dr. Bogosian has spent decades helping major organizations develop the next generation of leadership. In this episode, he unpacks what truly sets high-performing CEOs apart, how to build cultures of voice (not silence), and the real reasons so many companies miss what’s right in front of them.They dive deep into:The neuroscience behind good leadershipBreaking corporate silence and its costly consequencesThe biggest myths about hiring and interviewsWhy openness and curiosity are the most underrated CEO traitsWhat leaders can learn from the Boeing and Wells Fargo scandalsIf you’re a people-first leader, this one is a must-listen.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. 👇 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a rating!⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro to Dr. Rob Bogosian 01:45 – From finance to leadership development 05:30 – How he got his first consulting client (and never looked back) 08:55 – How to plan CEO succession the right way 14:10 – Why openness + curiosity are the ultimate leadership traits 17:45 – Cultures of silence: what it is, and why it’s dangerous 22:20 – Boeing, Wells Fargo, and the hidden cost of silence 26:05 – The myth of “nice leaders finish last” 30:15 – The science behind empathy and leadership 35:50 – The wrong way to interview candidates 40:00 – Great questions that unlock real insights 44:30 – His worst interview story (food involved...) 49:00 – Leadership myths that need to go 54:10 – His #1 piece of advice to his younger self Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, host Oz Rashid sits down with Lin Cherry, a powerhouse executive with experience as Chief Legal Officer and Chief People Officer in fast-growing tech and media companies. From her early days at MySpace to building high-impact legal and HR teams at Wiseline, Lin shares a career filled with bold transitions, leadership insights, and instinct-led decision-making.🔥 Topics Covered:The surprising connection between legal strategy and people leadershipWhat she learned at MySpace during the Facebook takeoverThe Reed Hastings quote that changed how she viewed mediaHow startups should think about building culture at scaleThe real impact of trusting your gut during hiring decisionsWhy she values athletes and first-job hustle when building teamsTips for creating aligned, global cultures across multiple time zonesTimestamps:0:00 - Intro: Meet Lin Cherry 2:12 - New Year’s Resolutions & Family Reflections 4:45 - From CLO to CPO: How Legal Led to People Leadership 7:18 - Legal Strategy Meets People-Centric Culture 9:44 - Why Wiseline Handpicked Lin to Lead HR 13:06 - Lessons from MySpace vs. Facebook: Tech & UX 17:48 - Reed Hastings’ Quote That Nailed Media’s Future 20:55 - Why Tech Companies Win at Content Distribution 25:34 - Creating HR & Legal Harmony in Startups 28:56 - Lin’s Hiring Philosophy: Mindset > Skillset 32:12 - What First Jobs Teach You About Grit 35:47 - A Memorable Interview Mistake 38:18 - Creating a Great Candidate Experience 41:05 - Best Hire She Ever Made—And Why 43:22 - Wicked, Hamilton & Content That Changes Perception 45:39 - Book Recommendation: Amy Edmondson on Failure 47:30 - Advice to Her 20-Year-Old Self 49:12 - Florida Speed Round: Food, Travel, and Disney Picks 53:15 - Wrap-Up & Final ThoughtsPlus, Lin reflects on the biggest lesson she’d give her 20-year-old self: trust your instincts—even when you're the only woman in the room.🎯 Whether you're in HR, legal, or leadership, this episode will give you an edge in building smarter, more human-centric teams.🔗 Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, host Oz Rashid sits down with Andrew Tidwell, Chief Human Resources Officer at Wineshipping, to discuss what it takes to build high-performing teams. Andrew shares his unique hiring philosophy — prioritizing culture fit over experience — and why that approach is crucial for long-term success.From unforgettable interview moments to insights on improving the candidate experience, Andrew reveals what companies often get wrong when attracting top talent. He also introduces his powerful team-building framework — I SOAR — and explains how fostering interdependence, shared purpose, and risk-taking can unlock true team potential.💬 Key Takeaways:✅ Why hiring for culture fit matters more than experience (15:32)✅ The unexpected power of asking candidates, "What would you rather be doing right now?" (22:10)✅ How to spot red flags — and avoid hiring the wrong people (30:45)✅ Why your onboarding experience can make or break employee retention (41:15)✅ Andrew’s unforgettable interview story — and the shocking answer he once received about collective bargaining (7:40)Don't miss Andrew's candid advice for HR leaders and founders navigating today’s competitive talent landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, host Oz Rashid sits down with Skyler Mattson, CEO of Wongdoody, to discuss her incredible 20+ year journey from assistant account executive to global CEO. Skyler shares how Wongdoody transformed from a traditional ad agency into a cutting-edge digital experience company, and what it took to successfully integrate with tech giant Infosys.🔍 Key Takeaways:⏲️ [00:02:10] - The surprising origin story behind the name “Wongdoody” and how it breaks the ice⏲️ [00:05:45] - Why Wongdoody’s acquisition by Infosys was a game-changing move⏲️ [00:11:30] - Skyler’s mindset-first hiring philosophy — and why it’s better than hiring for skill alone⏲️ [00:18:20] - How embracing change and the value of “being like water” has driven growth⏲️ [00:24:00] - Why AI is revolutionizing content creation and the customer experience⏲️ [00:31:45] - The role of empathy, storytelling, and mindset in building a winning teamSkyler also opens up about her leadership journey, the power of resilience, and the advice she’d give her 22-year-old self. Plus, she reveals the fascinating role of AI-generated humans in advertising and how Wongdoody is using cutting-edge tech to create hyper-personalized brand experiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, host Oz Rashid sits down with Michael Fowler, former CIO of Florida Power & Light (FPL), to discuss his incredible career journey, lessons in leadership, and what retirement really looks like for a lifelong innovator.Michael shares insights from his time leading large-scale tech transformations, his approach to building high-performing teams, and why empathy is his #1 hiring trait. He also reveals the unconventional interview question that helps him spot red flags — and why trusting your gut is critical in hiring.Plus, you'll hear fascinating stories from Michael’s post-retirement adventures — including an eye-opening trip to Iraq and a near-disaster in Guinea.Episode Highlights & Timestamps🔹 (00:00) Intro – Oz introduces Michael and kicks off with an unexpected travel story🔹 (05:21) Why Michael retired — and why the decision was harder than you'd think🔹 (11:42) Michael’s new projects in retirement, including mentoring and culture building🔹 (15:08) The inspiring story behind Michael’s leadership book, Letters from Leaders🔹 (20:55) Michael’s proudest achievement: Modernizing legacy systems to drive innovation🔹 (26:14) The interview question that reveals everything about a candidate🔹 (31:32) Why empathy is the most underrated hiring skill🔹 (37:05) The time Michael’s travel plans turned chaotic — and how he navigated a crisis🔹 (44:10) Why Michael’s #1 piece of advice is to "Do Big Things" — and what that means🎧 Listen now to hear Michael’s powerful insights on leadership, hiring, and embracing new challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.