Why Hardwiring is The Key To Hiring Top Talent with Jason Carroll
In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, I sit down with Jason P. Carroll, founder and CEO of Aptive Index, to explore how data-driven insights and psychometric assessments can revolutionize hiring and leadership. Jason shares his expertise in scaling businesses, fostering resilient teams, and aligning leadership capabilities with organizational goals.
From his time scaling Champion National Security from $24 million to $80 million in revenue to his work as a Dare to Lead™ Facilitator trained under Dr. Brené Brown, Jason brings a wealth of experience to help business leaders like you make smarter, people-focused decisions.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
The Hiring Mistakes Most Leaders Don’t Realize They’re Making
Why Data-Driven Hiring is a Game-Changer
Psychometric Assessments: What They Are and How to Use Them
Scaling Teams: Lessons from Growing a Workforce by 200%
Building Leadership Capabilities That Stick
Creating a Culture of Courage and Generosity
Final Thoughts: Leading with Purpose and Resilience
Why Listen?
This episode is packed with actionable insights for any leader looking to:
Avoid costly hiring mistakes.
Build high-performing, resilient teams.
Leverage data to make better decisions about talent and leadership.
Where to Tune In:
Listen on Apple: HERE
Listen on Spotify: HERE
You can find the show anywhere else you listen to podcasts
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
• Aptive Index: Redefining Hiring and Leadership
• Book: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Connect with Jason P. Carroll:
• Website: aptiveindex.com
Stay Connected:
• Connect with me on LinkedIn: Jackie Koch
• Visit my website: peopleprinciples.co
Read Instead:
In the latest episode of People Principles, I sit down with Jason Carroll, the founder of Aptive Index and host of Work Cultured. We talk about various hiring practices, the limitations of traditional methods, and the transformative potential of behavioral assessments. Jason’s insights encourage businesses to reassess their current strategies, aiming for a blend of science and human empathy to create enriched work cultures.
Beyond Resumes: The Case for Behavioral Assessments
Jason wastes no time in highlighting the shortcomings of relying solely on resumes during the hiring process. In his view, resumes are often outdated and unreliable. Many are embellished or AI-generated, providing a skewed representation of a candidate’s true abilities. Instead, Jason advocates for a more holistic approach: behavioral assessments that measure emotional intelligence, adaptability, culture fit, and problem-solving abilities. He suggests documenting and focusing on what is most important to a business in new hires, transcending the limitations of traditional resumes.
The Potential of Psychometrics in Modern Recruitment
Psychometrics is not a new concept, but Jason emphasizes its potential to revolutionize hiring when used effectively. He recounts his experience as the president of Champion National Security, where rapid growth and a toxic culture highlighted the critical need for thoughtful and intentional hiring. Here, psychometric tools can provide invaluable insights, predicting role fit and potential burnout by measuring innate drives (conative traits) rather than merely cognitive abilities. He admits to learning the hard way—once ignoring data during an interview, which led to a costly compliance failure in new state expansions.
Bridging the Gap with Aptive Index
Jason introduces Aptive Index as a solution to the inefficiencies and biases plaguing traditional hiring processes. Launched after rigorous scientific validation, the tool is designed to integrate seamlessly into business culture, enhancing communication and leadership. Aptive Index uses archetypes (e.g., Eagle, Dolphin, Octopus, and Wolf) to create a common language that employees can identify with, fostering a cohesive work environment. The assessments are quick, taking about 6-7 minutes, and are accessible on any device, making them an efficient and user-friendly option for businesses.
Rethinking Employee Assessments
One of the significant critiques Jason addresses is the outdated nature of many traditional employee assessments, which are time-consuming, require expert interpretation, and are not updated to reflect the latest behavioral psychology. Aptive Index aims to change that by offering an engaging test that provides a profile readout focusing on empowering language and identifying areas for growth. This approach is inclusive, revealing hidden potential by focusing on percentage matches to ideal roles early in the hiring process, before even reviewing resumes.
Addressing Bias and Legal Concerns
Jackie raises a crucial concern about class action lawsuits against companies using biased pre-hiring assessments. Jason acknowledges the importance of rigorous validation to prevent biases related to sex, gender, ethnicity, and cultural background. Aptive Index prides itself on statistical validation, compliance with EEOC requirements, and transparency. Jason and Jackie both stress the risks associated with using low-cost, seemingly easy assessments without understanding their implications. They also caution against using popular tools like DISC and CliftonStrengths in pre-hiring, as these are not validated for that purpose.
The Future of Hiring with Aptive Index
In closing, Jason discusses the potential future developments for Aptive Index, including a premium, detailed report offering further insights into candidates' challenges. This report would be particularly useful for those already familiar with self-assessment, adding another layer of depth to the hiring process. While acknowledging that no tool can perfectly predict job success due to the variability in roles and individual creativity, Jason believes that tools like Aptive Index can significantly improve decision-making over time.
Final Thoughts: Embracing a Scientific Approach
Jackie and Jason conclude by emphasizing that hiring is not an exact science. However, by leveraging behavioral assessments like Aptive Index in conjunction with traditional methods, companies can create a more robust and inclusive hiring strategy. This comprehensive approach promises not only to identify the best candidates but also to foster a thriving work culture conducive to growth and collaboration.
In a world where the dynamics of work are constantly evolving, staying ahead requires not just filling vacancies but building resilient and adaptable teams. Tools like Aptiv Index represent a pivotal step in this direction, blending scientific insights with the human elements that make organizations truly great.