In Episode 30 of the Talent Sherpa Podcast, Jackson Lynch shares a candid lesson from the toughest hire of his career—the candidate who wasn’t lying to him, but to themselves. Despite thorough vetting, trusted assessments, and careful processes, this hire still failed spectacularly.
Jackson explores why self-deception is the hardest red flag to detect, how over-optimizing around a single executive relationship can blind you to broader leadership gaps, and why flawless assessment results can sometimes hide troubling truths.
With a memorable real-world example (real story, not his real name), Jackson reminds us that great hiring isn’t about eliminating risk—it’s about trusting your instincts when something just doesn’t feel right.
Listen in to protect your next hire from becoming your next headache.
If this episode landed, the next move is yours.
Coaching is where it closes fastest — Jackson has developed CHROs from both sides of the table, as their leader and as their coach. The CHRO Ascent Academy, Private Coaching, Mandate Protocol, CHRO Chronicles, and the best-selling Substack are there too.
All at mytalentsherpa.com.
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In private equity: Propulsion AI surfaces workforce risk before the close and translates strategy into individual accountability after it. Before AI automation - drive outcome clarity with digital teammates to do the work fast and at scale.
All at getpropulsion.ai.
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CHRO podcast, CEO Podcast, Business, Management
CHRO strategy, HR strategy, talent management, leadership development, talent management podcast, human capital strategy, mandate clarity, peacetime wartime leadership, talent hat framework, leadership pipeline, senior leadership, people strategy
