Recruitment isn’t broken – it’s evolving. Startups are hiring differently. The old model doesn’t cut it anymore. Smaller firms have a chance to lead – if we adapt. I shared more in my latest @RecruiterMag column

Turns out, hiring isn’t that different from building friendships. 🤝. It’s about respect, curiosity, and a little less corporate-speak. Read How to Win Friends and Influence People and maybe you'll see we overcomplicate hiring when it’s really just about human connection!.

Sell the why, not the what. 🎯. “Arouse in the other person an eager want.”. People don’t get excited about lists of tasks. They care about impact. What difference will they make? How will they grow?. That’s the stuff that turns a “maybe” into a “yes.”.

Make people feel important. 💡. “The sweetest sound in the world is a person’s name.”. Hiring can feel cold when it’s all automated responses and generic messages. A personalised note, using someone's name, or giving genuine feedback can go a long way.

Stop talking. Start listening. 🎧. Carnegie said it best: “Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.”. In interviews, we often talk at candidates - selling the role, the company. But the best insights come when we step back, ask questions, and listen.

And despite all the distractions of tech and AI, not much has changed in 90 years. Here are 3 timeless lessons from Dale Carnegie's class read that can make a real difference in how we attract, engage, and hire top talent:.

Hiring lessons from a 1936 self-help book?. Who knew. I’ve been reading How to Win Friends and Influence People - and it made me realise something:. The principles that help build relationships can seriously improve how we hire. 🧵👇

Don't spent all your time chasing talent. Attract it with clarity and purpose.

On networking, don't collect contacts. Build real connections.

I’ve hired people with impressive logos on their CV, assuming they’d know what to do. Most struggled. The best hires? The ones without flashy CVs - the ones I challenged on their plan, first 90 days, & motivations. Lesson learned: Don’t hire for experience. Hire for impact.

Don't hire for experience. Hire for impact.

Over the past 4 months, I’ve run 10 events with 120 founders & investors. The goal? Build connections, not just sell. It’s hard work, but it pays off: stronger relationships, new clients, and real insights into what people value and need. Effort isn’t glamorous, but it works.

For years, I avoided weights at the gym - no clue what to do, thought it didn’t matter. Now? I strength train 3+ times weekly, 23 weeks straight. What changed?. Muscle mass = longevity.An app for workouts + confidence.Knowing data motivates me. Awareness and tools - key for me.

I used to think selling was about convincing anyone to say yes. But then I realised… it’s about creating an environment where the right people - those with a real need, now or in the future - want to buy. Focus on relevance, trust, and value, and selling takes care of itself.

Networking used to feel overwhelming for me. Trying to talk to everyone, walk away with hot leads, and make it ‘worth it.’. Now I realise it’s much simpler: just show up and have real conversations. The best connections come naturally when you stop overthinking it.

Being a founder is just swapping a boss for 100 bosses - and calling them customers.

Attract talent with clarity. Engage talent with purpose. Retain talent with trust.

I thought being a great recruiter meant I’d run a great business. I was wrong. The turning point?. Letting go of that assumption, learning from small biz experts, and building a peer network outside recruitment. Every firm faces the same challenges - don’t fall into groupthink.

The recruitment industry needs to step up. Less focus on CVs. More progress on shaping culture, strategy, and success. Are we ready to own it?. Read my latest thoughts in Recruiter Magazine @RecruiterMag .

One thing I've fallen into the last year - chess on my phone. It’s my escape from doom scrolling and Netflix. Plenty of room for improvement, but there's something about playing against people from all over the world. And hopefully keeps my brain busy in a good way!.