Why Average Leaders Can’t Hire Great People
Mon Dec 29 2025
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Most leaders say they want top talent.
So why do so few actually hire it?
In this episode, we explore the uncomfortable psychology behind why many B and C level leaders struggle to bring A-players onto their teams. Not because of budget. Not because of timing. But because hiring exceptional people quietly threatens identity, status, and control.
We break down the hidden mental blind spots that shape hiring decisions, drawing from validated psychological research on ego threat, social comparison, cognitive dissonance, and status preservation. You’ll hear why “culture fit” is often a mask for insecurity, why safe hires feel smart in the moment, and how leadership identity quietly dictates who gets hired and who doesn’t.
If you’ve ever wondered why talented people get passed over, why average teams stay average, or why some leaders seem allergic to being challenged, this conversation will hit close to home.
This episode isn’t comfortable.
But it is clarifying.
And for leaders serious about building exceptional teams, it might change the way you hire forever.
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Send us a text Most leaders say they want top talent. So why do so few actually hire it? In this episode, we explore the uncomfortable psychology behind why many B and C level leaders struggle to bring A-players onto their teams. Not because of budget. Not because of timing. But because hiring exceptional people quietly threatens identity, status, and control. We break down the hidden mental blind spots that shape hiring decisions, drawing from validated psychological research on ego threat, social comparison, cognitive dissonance, and status preservation. You’ll hear why “culture fit” is often a mask for insecurity, why safe hires feel smart in the moment, and how leadership identity quietly dictates who gets hired and who doesn’t. If you’ve ever wondered why talented people get passed over, why average teams stay average, or why some leaders seem allergic to being challenged, this conversation will hit close to home. This episode isn’t comfortable. But it is clarifying. And for leaders serious about building exceptional teams, it might change the way you hire forever.