Winning The War For Talent ︱ Confessions of a Recruiter #110

In this edition of the Confessions of a Recruiter newsletter, we feature Richard Triggs, Founder & CEO of Arete Executive, as he shares his journey and insights into the world of executive search. Richard's approach to recruitment success is rooted in one key principle: building meaningful, long-lasting relationships.

As Richard reveals, the true success of any recruitment process isn’t just about filling positions—it's about nurturing trust, fostering connection, and empowering both candidates and clients to thrive. This philosophy is also at the heart of his book, Winning the War for Talent, where Richard outlines a proven, step-by-step methodology that can help any business, from start-ups to multinational corporations, attract and retain top talent.

"Our business is about relationships...if we meet and we share and, as a result, we build trust, you can't help but be successful."

Richard highlights the importance of fostering relationships. He believes that when recruiters genuinely connect with clients and candidates, sharing insights and experiences, trust naturally grows, leading to success. This philosophy is central to his approach at Arete Executive - Executive Search & Executive Career Coaching , where building lasting relationships and fostering open communication is key.

Much like his approach to executive search, Richard's book, Winning the War for Talent, emphasises the same principle for retaining top talent, guiding leaders on how to cultivate a culture of love and accountability within their teams. This aligns perfectly with the key message of today’s conversation—true recruitment success stems from fostering relationships, empowering teams, and learning from the best.

"If you are an aspiring recruiter and you truly are committed to being the best you can possibly be, find somebody excellent and latch onto them."

With years of experience in executive search and career coaching, Richard has seen firsthand what separates great leaders from the rest. He believes that the key to success for any aspiring recruiter is to seek out someone exceptional to learn from and truly commit to growing under their guidance. By aligning with mentors who model the right behaviours, new recruiters can build their skills, confidence, and mindset.

Richard’s insights emphasise that long-term success in recruitment isn’t just about placing candidates; it’s about learning from the best, building strong relationships, and adding value to your community.

The journey to recruitment success requires more than just technical expertise—it’s about cultivating relationships, learning from the best, and leading with impact. So, ask yourself, Are you ready to build the connections that will define your success?

Ready to Join the Movement?

If you’re passionate about transforming the recruitment industry and creating meaningful connections, we invite you to join the movement. Contact us today to share your story and be part of the next podcast episode—let’s inspire others to make their own bold career shifts and shape the future of recruitment.