E55: Jennifer Speciale: A Deep Dive In Interviewing, Recruiting Top Talent, & Women In Leadership
ThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
Release Date: 02/28/2024
ThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
This week, Roger explores how ambiguity undermines success in both business and personal life. Framing ambiguity as the enemy of execution, he emphasizes the power of specificity—particularly through setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals. By turning vague ambitions into clear, actionable steps, individuals can make real progress. Roger shares practical examples from fitness, finance, and relationships to show how removing ambiguity ensures daily actions align with desired outcomes. He also offers actionable strategies for bringing greater clarity to...
info_outlineThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
info_outlineThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
This week, Roger sits down with Australian author and international speaker , an expert on happiness and resilience. Andrew, who has written 12 books translated into 48 languages, shares his journey of discovering happiness and how it's influenced his life and work. He discusses key topics such as the importance of gratitude, the impact of social media on happiness, and how happiness can lead to success. With Andrew’s talent for making complex ideas simple, the conversation also explores the significance of focusing on the positive aspects of life and maintaining a hopeful outlook. ...
info_outlineThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
This week, Roger welcomes relationship expert Lauren Dry, also known as . Together, they explore why so many marriages end in divorce—especially second marriages—and examine the patterns that often undermine long-term commitment. Lauren shares her personal story of navigating her own relationship challenges and how those experiences led her to become a marriage coach. Their conversation includes practical strategies for building fulfilling partnerships, shedding light on how unconscious behavioral patterns affect relationships and how high-achieving individuals can channel their...
info_outlineThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
This week, Roger shares key business insights inspired by his recent travels. From his trip to Australia, he illustrates how small gestures of reciprocity can yield substantial returns and underscores the power of building brand advocates—highlighted through the story of the beloved Tim Tam biscuits. He also emphasizes the value of creating memorable customer experiences, using an exceptional dining experience in Sydney as an example. Roger challenges business owners to find low-cost ways to delight customers and to standardize what works across their organizations. A visit to the late...
info_outlineThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
This week, Roger was truly honored to sit down with The Legend, , a former UFC and Strikeforce champion, and all-around mixed martial arts icon. Frank opens up about his tumultuous childhood, marked by instability and abuse, including being locked in a closet by his mother. He discusses his time in juvenile hall and prison, where he began a path of self-discovery and physical training. Frank also shares how he turned his life around through martial arts, becoming a champion in various MMA leagues, including the first-ever UFC middleweight (now light heavyweight) champion. He talks about...
info_outlineThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
This week, Roger interviews Kami Kay Kirschbaum, founder of , a company dedicated to creating bulletproof clothing for civilians. Kami shares how, at 15, she lost a close friend to gun violence—an experience that ignited her lifelong mission to enhance personal safety. She reflects on her unconventional path from working as a hairdresser to moving to Sweden at 18 and eventually launching Civilian. The company specializes in stylish, functional bulletproof clothing, including t-shirts and hoodies designed to stop handgun bullets up to a .44 Magnum. The episode explores how Civilian’s...
info_outlineThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
This week, Roger had the privilege of sitting down with Janet McConnell, author of , who transformed her life at age 47 to become a competitive natural bodybuilder. Janet shares her incredible journey from struggling with weight and health issues to becoming a certified fitness trainer and IBFF national champion. She also discusses the pivotal moments that drove her to take action, the importance of strength training, and how her fitness journey reshaped both her personal and professional life. In their conversation, Janet recalls the emotional wake-up call from her doctor in her...
info_outlineThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
This week, Roger tackles the challenge of hiring dedicated employees in small and mid-sized businesses. He introduces six essential interview questions designed to help business owners find candidates who not only fit the role but also genuinely care about their work. Drawing from his expertise in competency selection interviewing and insights from his book “,” Roger underscores the importance of understanding a candidate’s traits and past performance to ensure long-term success and employee retention. Roger further emphasizes that while skills can be taught, innate qualities like...
info_outlineThriveMore with Roger Martin: Business, Health, & Wealth
This week, Roger sits down with Matt Theriault, a U.S. Marine Desert Storm veteran and former record label owner. Matt shared his journey from music industry success to financial ruin when digital downloads upended the market. Once earning millions, he found himself bagging groceries for $7 an hour after bankruptcy. Thankfully, a conversation with a grocery store manager introduced him to the power of passive income through real estate, setting him on a path to financial recovery. Matt discusses his early years as a DJ and producer, the impact of digitization on his business, and his...
info_outlineThe complex and at times intimidating process of interviewing can often seem confounding for both candidates and employers alike. This week Roger is joined by Jennifer Speciale to shine a light on how the world's most innovative and successful companies approach this process and what small businesses can learn from them. Throughout her career as an executive recruiter, candidates and other cognizant leaders have sought out Jennifer’s expertise for challenges like making a career transition, seeking a promotion, how to be a better storyteller, how to develop an effective portfolio, and how to prepare for some of the world's most difficult interview processes. Throughout her career, Jennifer has Utilized multiple language skills to build strong and successful teams throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
In today's episode, Jennifer and Roger dive deep into the recruiting and interviewing process, drawing from Jennifer’s world-class expertise developed through time at Amazon, Google, McKinsey, and Indeed.com. Jennifer discusses change management and the importance of understanding the dynamic nature of the corporate world. She emphasizes the importance of staying abreast of trends and adapting accordingly. Encouraging listeners to take a proactive approach to embracing changes, Jenifer illustrates why noting lessons learned even when endeavors do not pan out as envisioned is essential to growth.
For employers and individuals in leadership positions, Jennifer illustrates effective interviewing practices. She encourages employers to focus on the quality of individuals and value interest and ambition over existing skill sets. On the other hand, for interviewees, her advice gravitates towards pursuing the role you want before being officially appointed to it, demonstrating your capabilities in the desired position proactively. Investigating the landscape for women in leadership roles, Jennifer acknowledges the progress yet stresses the work still required. She sheds light on obstacles such as Imposter Syndrome, overemphasis on perfection, and common traps that potentially hold women back in the corporate arena. In addition, Jennifer calls on individual determination and confidence as the first step towards bridging that gap. So get ready to be a fly on the wall for a conversation that will both equip candidates for their next interview and inform leaders on how to grow a dedicated and lasting team comprised of top-level talent at your company!
Topics Include:
- Understanding and Utilizing Storytelling-Based Behavior Interviewing
- The Power of Effectively Communicating Lessons Learned From Failure
- Reflections on Why Perfectionism Rarely Produces Great Results
- Advice for Employers & Employees on Interviewing to Build a Great Team
- Jennifer’s Opinions on the Current State of Women in the Workplace
Jennifer’s Book Recommendation:
Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader
Connect with Jennifer:
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Produced By: Social Chameleon