How Standing in Line for a Reality Show Changed our Business
Steven Ziegler
Creating Connections that make a Bold Impact. We partner with entrepreneurs, family owned businesses & private equity backed companies in identifying and assessing exceptional talent.
Dressed in a suit and tie, on a blazing hot 100+ degree summer day in 2004, I stood in line basking under the sun for nearly 4 hours waiting to audition for The Apprentice. At the time this show was one of the most popular shows on primetime tv, ironically hosted by our current President. At the time I recall most entrepreneurs being fascinated by the show and dreaming to be on it. As embarrassed as I am to admit it today, I was one of them! While waiting for a chance to be on this silly reality show, I met an individual who has been crucial to most of our senior level search assignments the past few years.
Meet Luke Wyckoff, a behavioralist and our differentiator. Luke spent 13 years at Development Dimensions International (DDI), one of the top behavioral assessment companies in the world. During his tenure he trained over 3000 executives in behavioral interviewing and worked with F500 CHRO executives on executive succession management and leadership development.
I’ve yet to meet an executive search firm that encourages the use of a behavioralist during the search and assessment process. Why? Because they’re afraid of their candidates being rejected, thus creating more work for them.
In Luke’s words, "Everyone looks good on paper. I have never seen a resume that says don't hire me. We work with clients to identify the critical competencies and behaviors that are most important for the open position. The combination of a technical interview and behavioral interview gives our clients a much more well-rounded view of the finalist candidates.”
"We love stories," says Luke. "Each candidate has a unique experience to them, that helped them get to where they are today. It's our job to pull the RIGHT stories from their past and showcase to our clients that past behavior is an excellent predictor of future behavior. Getting to why a person does something is more important than a checklist on a resume. When we can share with a client why they would be a great ‘fit’, it takes our executive search offering to the next level.”
Luke is a graduate of Ferris State University and holds an Executive MBA from the University of Colorado. He’s a musician, a former collegiate rugby player, and moonlights as a professional photographer. We’re fortunate to have him on the Z3Talent team!
Thanks,
Steve
Founder of Z3Talent
Executive Search Consultant advising clients on hiring for Boards, CEO's and CFO's. Member of Global Sports Practice
3 年Luke is our Renaissance man! So glad for the chance meeting you both had. Luke's approach to candidate assessment and Z3's systematic use of this has yielded outstanding results for our clients. He is a real difference maker.
Founder | Helping Leaders & Teams Balance High-Performance & Wellness | Certified Leadership Coach (ICF PCC, ELI-MP), Global Speaker, Trainer | EO Board Member
3 年love competency-based interviews, story-based. Hire slow, fire fast.
B2B Marketing Executive (SaaS)
3 年Wow, what a great way for your exec. search firm to differentiate itself. I love "Getting to why a person does something?is more important?than a checklist?on a resume." Given ~ 33% of all new hires don't work out, it makes sense that an organization would want to invest in Luke's expertise as a Behaviorist to ensure a great match
?? I help leaders of purpose-focused organizations create certainty in their business around marketing. ??
3 年There's a TON of power in story-telling. Getting this right on one's resume, bio, etc. can make a world of difference. People love a good story!
CEO ?? EOS Integrator ?? Investor ?? Speaker ?? Let's Talk - Info Below??
3 年Go Bulldogs!