A VP approached me for recruitment support.
He needed someone to lead People and Culture (Human Resources) for his innovative hotel company.
He had a candidate in mind: a candidate with excellent experience and the perfect resume.
The board was thrilled. The candidate came through a connection, so no recruiter fee was needed—ideal, right?
Well… after meeting her, something didn’t sit right. “And that’s why I’m here today,” he added.
“She had all the right answers, but I wasn’t convinced. There was no excitement. No connection. Something felt off.”
I asked, “What was it that felt off?”
He paused, then said, “I’m not sure. On paper, she’s perfect.
But when I met her, I felt low energy. There was no drive, no desire to elevate others, and curiosity was missing… It felt cold, almost arrogant.”
That’s why he needed my insight.
Hiring isn’t about checking boxes.
It’s about seeing what the resume doesn’t show.
I looked at him and said, “You already know the answer. You felt it.”
He added, “I almost rushed this. Almost overlooked what really matters.”
Luckily, he didn’t. And it saved him.
Hiring isn’t about filling a seat—it’s about securing the future of your company.
Don’t ignore the warning signs when what’s most important is missing, no matter how tempting.
Here’s the thing: If the leader of HR and Culture is low-energy, the ripple effect will hit the entire team.
It starts at the top, and the energy spreads.
The future of business isn’t only about what looks good on paper.
Everyone can look good on paper, but what truly matters is how real and energizing they feel.