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Every company has a culture—whether you shape it or not.

It can be intentional or accidental. It can fuel performance or quietly tear your business apart. And the difference between a thriving company and one stuck in survival mode? Often, it comes down to one thing: leadership.

In this episode of The School of Hiring, I’m joined by Erik Pfannmöller, serial entrepreneur, former Canoe World Champion, and founder of The Culture Code Foundation. Erik has built and exited multiple high-growth companies and now helps organizations develop high-performance cultures that drive innovation, attract top talent, and create long-term, defensible success.

We unpack the often invisible force that shapes businesses—company culture—and the role ego plays in either strengthening or sabotaging it.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why culture is your ultimate competitive advantage
• How ego silently kills team performance and decision-making
• The biggest myths leaders believe about company culture
• What founders must let go of in order to scale successfully
• Whether it’s ever too late to fix a toxic culture
• What business leaders can learn from elite-level sport

Whether you're a founder building from scratch or a leader trying to fix what's broken, this episode is packed with insights on how to lead with humility, clarity, and purpose—and build a culture that lasts.

📝 Podcast Show Notes

Guest: Erik Pfannmöller – Serial Entrepreneur, Culture Builder, Former Canoe World Champion, Founder of The Culture Code Foundation.

Topics We Cover:

• The DNA of high-performance teams
• Why most leaders misunderstand what company culture really is
• Where ego helps—and where it destroys—leadership
• Letting go as a founder and learning to trust your team
• How to build “unhackable” cultures that competitors can’t copy
• What sports teach us about leadership, resilience, and feedback
• Why culture starts at the top—and how to keep it from going toxic

Key Resources Mentioned:

• 📘 Win from Within by James Heskett
• 📘 The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
• 📺 How Apple’s Culture Evolved Over Time (YouTube – from min 12)

Connect with Erik:
🌐 Website: erikpfannmoeller.de
💼 LinkedIn: Erik Pfannmöller

Connect with Konstanty / The School of Hiring:
🌐 schoolofhiring.com
💼 Konstanty on LinkedIn

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and newsletter.schoolofhiring.com

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Most leaders think they know how to make a good hire.

They trust their instincts. They believe their experience helps them spot the right candidate.

But what if that confidence is misplaced?

What if they’re unknowingly repeating the same hiring mistakes—costing their companies millions?

In this episode of The School of Hiring, I’m joined by Tim Freestone, founder of Alooba and host of the Objective Hiring podcast. Tim has spent years studying why hiring fails, and how companies can fix it with data-driven, validated insights.

We break down:

Why most hiring decisions are built on false confidence
The biggest hiring mistakes companies don’t even realize they’re making
Why intuition and experience aren’t enough to judge candidates
How data-driven hiring improves accuracy without losing the human element
Why companies that don’t fix hiring set themselves up for failure
This is not just about hiring. It’s about breaking free from flawed decision-making and learning how to build truly great teams.

How hiring will evolve in the next decade
What today’s hiring managers need to change
Tim’s one piece of advice for leaders who want to master hiring

Guest Links:

🔹 Tim Freestone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-freestone-alooba/
🔹 Alooba: https://www.alooba.com

Host Links:

🔹 Konstanty Sliwowski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/
🔹 School of Hiring Website: https://www.schoolofhiring.com

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

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In this episode of The School of Hiring, we dive deep into one of the most common frustrations in the hiring process: Why do so many managers feel that recruiters aren’t effective at hiring? Or more to the point, why does the disconnect between recruiters and hiring managers even exist in the first place? Host Konstanty Sliwowski is joined by Lucy Bolin, a recruitment trainer and performance coach who has spent over a decade helping recruiters navigate the complex world of talent acquisition. Together, they unpack the myths, mistakes, and mindset shifts necessary for improving recruitment outcomes. With experience working with recruitment powerhouses like SThree and Michael Page, Lucy brings invaluable insights from both global corporations and startups alike.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Are recruiters really bad at hiring, or is that just a misconception?
• The fundamental difference between recruiters' and managers' roles in the hiring process.
• Common mistakes recruiters make and how to avoid them.
• How recruiters and managers can better align for successful hires.
• The crucial lessons recruiters can learn from hiring managers, and vice versa.

If you’re a manager frustrated by the hiring process, or a recruiter seeking ways to better align with your clients’ needs, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you bridge the gap.

Key Questions Explored:

• Are recruiters bad at hiring, or is that a myth?
• Where does the disconnect between recruiters and managers happen?
• What common mistakes do recruiters make in the hiring process?
• How can recruiters better align with the needs of hiring managers?
• What can both recruiters and managers learn from each other to improve hiring success?

Guest Information:
Lucy Bolin is a recruitment trainer and performance coach with over a decade of experience. She has worked with global companies like SThree and Michael Page, training recruiters across the globe from the UK to the Middle East and Australia. Her work has equipped recruiters with the skills they need to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of hiring.

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and newsletter.schoolofhiring.com

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In this episode of School of Hiring, we dive deep into the complexities of hiring and leadership with two of the most seasoned minds in the field: host Konstanty Sliwowski and serial entrepreneur Peter Sorgenfrei. Together, they uncover why successful hiring is more than just an art—it’s a science. Whether you’re a founder, a manager, or an HR leader, this episode offers essential insights to help you avoid the costly mistakes many leaders make when hiring.

Key Topics Covered:

1. The Art vs. Science of Hiring: Discover why relying on intuition or gut feelings in hiring often leads to poor outcomes—and why leaders must balance both the creative and analytical aspects of the process to get it right.
2. Common Hiring Misconceptions: Peter addresses the false confidence many leaders have in their hiring abilities, revealing the harsh truth that nearly 50% of hires leave within 18 months. He shares personal anecdotes and lessons learned from hiring over 300 people.
3. The Personal Cost of Hiring Mistakes: Beyond financial and time-related consequences, bad hires can take a personal toll on leaders. Peter opens up about his turning point in 2019, when burnout forced him to rethink his approach to building teams.
4. The Whole Human Approach: Peter explains his philosophy on hiring for the "whole human," which goes beyond just evaluating skills and looks at the broader characteristics that make someone a sustainable, long-term fit for an organization.
5. Advice for First-Time Founders and Managers: Learn actionable tips on how to avoid common pitfalls in early-stage hiring and how to ensure your team scales effectively with your business.

Top Questions Answered in this Episode:

• What is the biggest misconception leaders have about hiring?
• Can intuition be trusted in the hiring process, or is it often misleading?
• What are the hidden personal costs of making a poor hiring decision?
• How can leaders adopt the “Whole Human Approach” in their hiring practices?
• What should first-time team builders focus on to ensure hiring success?
• Was there a pivotal moment when Peter realized his hiring strategy needed to change?
• How do you codify hiring to make it a repeatable, effective process?

Why You Should Listen:
If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head after a seemingly great hire didn’t work out, or if you’re looking to avoid the expensive and time-consuming mistakes that so many companies fall into, this episode is a must-listen. Peter Sorgenfrei’s unique experience, both as a CEO and a coach, gives listeners an in-depth look at the long-term strategies required to build teams that thrive—not just in terms of output, but in their alignment with your company’s vision and culture.

Episode Highlights:

• "Hiring is not just about filling roles—it’s about shaping the future of your organization."
• "We often hear that hiring is an art, but here’s the truth—it’s also a science."
• "Almost 50% of hires leave within 18 months—what does this tell us about how we’re hiring?"
• "The Whole Human Approach is about hiring people, not just resumes."

Guest Bio: Peter Sorgenfrei is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and scaled six companies, including one from a two-person garage startup to a global operation. With over 300 hires to his name, Peter brings an invaluable perspective on the challenges of building high-performing teams. After a life-altering experience in 2019, Peter turned his focus to coaching founders a

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and newsletter.schoolofhiring.com

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In today's episode, I am thrilled to welcome Gerrit McGowan, a seasoned entrepreneur and a thought leader in the science of human performance.

Gerrit isn’t your typical entrepreneur. With experience spanning four countries and three continents, Gerrit has built and scaled companies from the ground up, raised millions from investors, and served as interim CEO for multiple organizations. He’s achieved two successful exits and has helped thousands of founders transform their startups into thriving businesses.

But Gerrit’s expertise goes far beyond just building companies. He has a deep interest in the science behind what makes people and businesses perform at their best. His passion for human potential led him to take a sabbatical in his mid-40s to conduct PhD-level research on entrepreneurial flow—the state of peak performance that drives success in high-pressure environments.

Gerrit’s knowledge is not just academic; he has applied these insights in the real world. He has hosted one of Europe’s leading entrepreneurship podcasts, founded a startup accelerator, and served as a peak performance coach with the Flow Research Collective. His approach is grounded in scientific evidence, refined by hands-on experience, and designed to help leaders and founders reach their full potential.

Today, Gerrit is here to share how understanding the science of performance can radically improve how you hire, build, and lead your teams. His insights are not just theoretical—they’re actionable, practical, and proven to work in the real world.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

1. What is Entrepreneurial Flow and Why It Matters
   • Gerrit explains the concept of entrepreneurial flow, a state of peak performance that helps individuals achieve success in high-pressure environments. Learn why understanding this state is crucial for both personal and team productivity.
2. Lessons from Sports Performance for Business Leaders
   • Drawing parallels between sports and business, Gerrit discusses how the strategies used in sports to build high-performing teams can be applied in the corporate world. Discover the key lessons business leaders can learn from sports to enhance their team's performance.
3. Improving Interview and Selection Processes
   • In sports, recruitment is a meticulous process involving scouting, testing, and trials. Gerrit shares how business leaders can adopt similar methods to refine their interview and selection processes, ensuring they hire the right talent for their teams.
4. Practices for Developing and Retaining High-Performing Teams
   • Gerrit outlines key practices from the world of sports that leaders can use to not only hire top talent but also develop and retain high-performing teams. Learn actionable strategies that can be implemented in your organization to foster a culture of excellence.
5. Creating a Supportive Environment for Top Talent
   • Many elite athletes attribute their success to a strong support system and the right environment. Gerrit discusses how leaders can create an environment that not only attracts top talent but also keeps them motivated and committed for the long term.

Connect with Gerrit McGowan on LinkedIn

Connect with Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn

Subscribe to School of Hiring on YouTube

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and newsletter.schoolofhiring.com

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In this episode, we dive deep into the strategies that shape successful teams and thriving workplaces. Today’s guest is Felipe Furlan, the CTO of Jimdo, who brings a wealth of experience in building high-performance teams across the globe.

Felipe’s journey from Brazil to Germany, along with his work in both scaleups and dynamic startups, offers a unique perspective on the complexities of hiring in various organizational contexts.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• The Concept of Culture Fit: Felipe breaks down what Culture Fit truly means and how it differs from Culture Add and Culture Adaptability.
• The Evolution of Hiring for Culture: As a former founder and now a tech leader, Felipe shares how his approach to hiring has evolved over time, and the key learnings that have shaped his perspective.
• Culture Add vs. Culture Fit: Hear an insightful example from Felipe’s own experience where prioritizing Culture Add over Culture Fit led to significant breakthroughs in team performance and innovation.
• Assessing Adaptability: Felipe discusses his personal strategies for evaluating whether a candidate can contribute something new while also adapting and growing with the company as it evolves.
• Managing Diverse Perspectives: Learn how to manage and integrate differing perspectives brought by new hires to strengthen, rather than conflict with, the existing team.
• Recruitment Process Alignment: Felipe offers advice on ensuring that your hiring team understands and values Culture Add and Adaptability during the recruitment process.
• Balancing Culture Dynamics in Growth: As companies grow, maintaining the right balance between Culture Fit, Add, and Adaptability can be challenging. Felipe shares his insights on navigating these challenges.

Whether you’re a startup founder, a hiring manager, or simply interested in the nuances of team building, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you refine your hiring strategies.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the School of Hiring for more insights on building successful teams and workplaces!

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and newsletter.schoolofhiring.com

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In this highly anticipated episode, we sit down with Olawale Oladunni, the Global Senior Director of Product Design and Research at Delivery Hero. With his extensive background, including his tenure as Head of Digital Experience, Talent Solutions at LinkedIn, Olawale offers a unique perspective on hiring, scaling organizations, and fostering diversity in the workplace.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction: Host introduces Olawale Oladunni and outlines his impressive career, focusing on his roles at Delivery Hero and LinkedIn.
• First Hiring Experience: Olawale shares memories of his first hire and the invaluable advice he would give his younger self about the hiring process.
• Diversity Hiring Challenges: A deep dive into why companies struggle with diversity hiring and practical strategies to overcome these challenges.
• Key Questions Discussed:
  • Increasing the Diversity Pool: Strategies for hiring top talent while enhancing diversity in a tight job market.
  • Interview Transparency: How honest should companies be with candidates about the real state of affairs in the business during interviews?
  • Hiring Managers for Direct Reports: Avoiding the pitfalls when direct reports interview their future leaders.
  • Effective Collaboration with Talent Acquisition (TA): Balancing internal vs. external TA and optimizing collaboration.
  • LinkedIn as a Recruitment Tool: Olawale’s take on whether LinkedIn remains the best platform for finding top candidates.

Guest Info: Olawale Oladunni is a seasoned expert in product design, digital experience, and talent acquisition. His leadership roles at Delivery Hero and LinkedIn provide him with a wealth of knowledge on building effective teams and implementing successful hiring practices.

Special Offer: Don't miss out on the free Hiring Blueprint download available at www.schoolofhiring.com. This resource is designed to help you streamline your hiring process and find the right fit for your team.

Call to Action: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with anyone who might benefit from these insights. For more resources and tips on hiring, visit www.schoolofhiring.com and download the free Hiring Blueprint today.

Subscribe: Stay updated with our latest episodes by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite platform.

Connect with Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doubleola/

Thanks for Listening!

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and newsletter.schoolofhiring.com

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In this episode, we delve into one of the most pressing issues faced by managers and leaders today: hiring the right people. Our guest, Jodi Brandstetter, a bestselling author, speaker, design thinker, and business coach, shares her insights on the common misconceptions and challenges new managers face in the hiring process.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction: We discuss the ego problem around hiring and the difficulty managers face in admitting they need help.
• Statistics: Only 30% of managers receive interview training according to a study by TrainingZone UK, with a LinkedIn poll showing a slightly better but still low 37%.
• Common Misconceptions: Jodi elaborates on the most common misconceptions new managers have about hiring.
• Contributing Factors: Beyond the lack of formal training, Jodi discusses other factors that contribute to hiring struggles.
• Balancing Speed and Fit: Tips for new managers on how to balance the need to hire quickly with finding the right fit in today’s competitive job market.
• Overcoming Stigma: Advice for new managers on overcoming the stigma of asking for help with hiring.

Guest Info: Jodi Brandstetter is a best-selling author, speaker, design thinker, and business coach dedicated to transforming the hiring process. Her insights and expertise provide valuable guidance for anyone involved in hiring.

Special Offer: Don't miss out on the free Hiring Blueprint download available at www.schoolofhiring.com. This resource is designed to help you streamline your hiring process and find the right fit for your team.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with anyone who might benefit from these insights. For more resources and tips on hiring, visit www.schoolofhiring.com and download the free Hiring Blueprint today.

Subscribe: Stay updated with our latest episodes by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite platform.

Connect with Us:

• Konstanty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/
• Jodi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodibrandstetter/

Thanks for Listening!

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and newsletter.schoolofhiring.com

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Welcome to the School of Hiring's "Hire Better" podcast. This episode, we explore the complexities of strategic planning in talent acquisition and delve into sustainable growth strategies. We'll analyze the economic benefits of leveraging agencies and the critical decision of transitioning to an in-house Talent Acquisition (TA) team.

Featured Guests:

• Andrew Stow, a talent acquisition expert with two decades of experience, known for his work with VC-backed tech startups and unicorn companies. Andrew is currently leading his own consulting and investment business in Switzerland.
• Ines Currie, a seasoned recruiter specializing in executive and senior talent for tech and product sectors. Ines brings over ten years of experience in driving early-stage and high-growth companies to success.

Key Discussion Points:

1. How Agency Use Can Save You Money as a Business: Exploring cost-effectiveness in recruitment agencies versus traditional hiring processes.
2. When to Hire In-House TA: Identifying the growth stage for establishing an in-house talent acquisition team.
3. Agency vs. In-House: Discussing the unique advantages of agencies and scenarios where in-house teams excel.
4. Sustainable Hiring Practices: Strategies to avoid the hire-fire cycle and promote sustainable hiring.
5. Choosing the Right Agency: Key factors in selecting a recruitment agency for a successful partnership.
6. Balancing Flexibility and Performance: Tactics for maintaining flexibility while ensuring high performance in talent acquisition.
7. Beyond 'Post and Pray': Effective strategies for managing high volumes of applications.

Closing Remarks:
Don't miss the insights from Andrew and Ines, who have collaborated on projects for companies like GetYourGuide and DaWanda (acquired by Etsy), as they share their invaluable experiences in the hiring landscape.

Relevant Hashtags:

• #HireBetterPodcast
• #SchoolOfHiring
• #TalentAcquisition
• #RecruitmentStrategies
• #SustainableGrowth
• #InHouseTA
• #RecruitmentAgencies
• #StrategicHiring
• #TechRecruiting
• #HumanResources

Connect with Us:
Follow our podcast for more insightful episodes on strategic hiring and join the conversation with #HireBetterPodcast. Share your thoughts and experiences in talent acquisition and sustainable growth strategies.

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and newsletter.schoolofhiring.com

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Welcome to the second instalment of our double episode with special guest Jason Thrasher, CTO of Shiftmove, on the Hire Better Podcast from School of Hiring. In a rare in-person recording, this episode delves into a critical topic in the hiring world: "Why Hiring like Google May Not Be Right for Your Business?"

Despite the allure of mirroring the hiring processes of tech giants like Google, Facebook, or Amazon, we discuss why this approach might be counterproductive for many businesses. With Jason Thrasher's insights, drawn from his experience as a Senior Engineering Manager at Google, we explore the nuances and potential pitfalls of adopting Google's hiring practices.

Join us as we dissect Google's hiring methodology, understand the importance of customizing hiring strategies, and uncover the key differences that make each company's hiring needs unique. This conversation is a must-listen for hiring managers and business leaders seeking to optimize their recruitment processes.

Show Notes:

1. Introduction to the Topic: An overview of why replicating Google's hiring approach might be detrimental for businesses not operating at the same scale or in the same industry.
2. Guest Introduction: Jason Thrasher, CTO of Shiftmove and former Senior Engineering Manager at Google, shares his first-hand experiences.
3. Interview Questions: Discussion on the types of questions asked during interviews at Google and how they may differ from what is suitable for other companies.
4. The Hiring Process for Engineers: Insight into the intricate steps involved in hiring engineers at Google and the potential complexities for other businesses.
5. Candidate Expectations: Exploring the expectations placed on candidates throughout their hiring journey at big tech companies.
6. Separation of Interviews and Hiring Decisions: The unique approach of separating interviews from hiring decisions and compensation negotiations at Google.
7. Data-Driven Strategies: The role of extensive data and feedback in shaping Google's hiring strategies and how this might be overwhelming for smaller companies.
8. Consensus vs. Alignment: A deep dive into how consensus and alignment play different roles in the decision-making processes at various companies.
9. Conclusion and Takeaways: Summarizing key insights from the discussion and practical advice for businesses in refining their hiring processes.

This episode is not only an eye-opener for those emulating tech giants in their hiring practices but also a guide for developing more effective, business-specific hiring strategies. Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of what makes Google's hiring unique and how to adapt these insights to your company's needs.

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and newsletter.schoolofhiring.com