AI is everywhere in hiring, promising faster, smarter recruitment—but can technology alone fix your hiring headaches? Andy Goram chats with Joel Quintela, an HR tech innovator with a psychology background, who argues AI alone won't cure broken hiring practices. They discuss why great recruitment still hinges on leadership, culture, and human decision-making, and how companies can intelligently integrate AI without losing their human touch.
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Key Takeaways
AI Isn't A Magic Fix: AI speeds up processes but amplifies existing problems if underlying hiring strategies are weak.
Two Phases of Recruitment: Distinguish between 'screening out' (where AI excels) and 'selecting in' (which requires human nuance).
Culture and Management Fit: AI struggles with evaluating nuanced cultural and managerial compatibility—critical factors for long-term success.
Step-by-Step Implementation: Successful companies use AI incrementally, adjusting along the way rather than blindly adopting big solutions.
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Key Moments
The key moments in this episode are:
0:00:10 – AI is Everywhere, But is it Fixing Recruitment?
0:04:56 – Meet Joel Quintela: HR Tech Innovator with a Psychology Twist
0:10:53 – The Reality of Recruitment: Why it Feels Like Rolling Dice
0:14:47 – AI in Recruitment: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Common Misconceptions
0:21:09 – Human Nuance: Why AI Struggles with Culture and Management Fit
0:27:34 – Leadership's Role in Fixing Broken Hiring Practices
0:34:34 – What Forward-Thinking Companies Are Doing Differently with AI
0:41:41 – Joel Quintela’s Three Sticky Notes for Better Hiring with AI
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Join The Conversation
Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here
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Get a free consultation with Andy here
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Useful Links
Follow Joel Quintela on LinkedIn here
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Find Joel's website here
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Full Episode Transcript
Get the full transcript of the episode here
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47:03
Have We Hijacked Emotional Intelligence?
Can emotional intelligence (EI) at work become more performance than authentic practice? Dr. Robin Hills, expert psychologist and director of EI4Change, believes it can—and it's harming workplace culture. In this episode, we unpack the common myths surrounding emotional intelligence, exploring how EI, when genuinely understood and ethically applied, can transform workplace relationships, foster resilience, and build lasting trust.
Robin reveals how emotional intelligence has been misunderstood and even misused, discussing how true EI isn't simply about being "nice" but involves navigating discomfort, challenging conversations, and courageous accountability. We dive deep into how leaders can distinguish genuine EI from manipulation and provide practical ways to ensure emotional intelligence is applied authentically to drive positive organizational outcomes.
This episode is filled with actionable insights, and the conversation equips leaders with the knowledge to harness and use emotional intelligence authentically. Don’t miss it!
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Key Takeaways
Beyond Performative EI: Genuine emotional intelligence involves consistent practice, reflection, and authentic behavioral change.
The Manipulation Trap: EI must be applied ethically; misusing emotional insights for manipulation erodes trust.
Embracing Healthy Discomfort: True growth occurs when leaders balance empathy with accountability, facing into tough conversations.
Redefining Emotions: Emotions aren't inherently good or bad—they provide valuable data, and how leaders respond determines their impact.
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Key Moments
The key moments in this episode are:
0:00:10 – The Real Truth About Emotional Intelligence
0:04:08 – Who is Dr. Robin Hills?
0:07:07 – Debunking EI Myths: Why Being Nice Isn't Enough
0:09:11 – Understanding Neuroscience and Emotional Intelligence
0:10:28 – Why Labeling Emotions as 'Positive' or 'Negative' Misses the Point
0:14:15 – Have We Made Work Too Comfortable?
0:22:03 – Has Emotional Intelligence Become Performative at Work?
0:28:07 – Manipulation: The Dark Side of Emotional Intelligence
0:32:03 – Bully or Tough Boss? Understanding the EI Difference
0:37:29 – Taking Control: Resilience Through Emotional Intelligence
0:43:02 - Sticky Notes – Three takeaways for using emotional intelligence authentically
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Join The Conversation
Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here
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Check out the Bizjuicer website here
Get a free consultation with Andy here
Check out the Bizjuicer blog here
Download the podcast here
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Useful Links
Follow Dr. Robin Hills on LinkedIn here
Find the EI4Change website here
Find Robin's Emotional Intelligence Courses here
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Full Episode Transcript
Get the full transcript of the episode here
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46:41
Hospitality's Leadership Crisis: Building From Within
The hospitality industry is facing a leadership crisis. With middle managers leaving, generational shifts, and skill gaps widening, how do we develop future leaders? In this episode, hospitality expert Michelle Pascoe joins Andy to discuss how businesses can turn "just a job" into a fulfilling career path. They explore the impact of generational differences, leadership development, and the power of storytelling in engaging and retaining top talent.
Whether you’re in hospitality or any other industry, this episode is packed with insights on leadership, career growth, and the importance of human connection. Don’t miss this conversation that challenges outdated mindsets and offers practical solutions for building a thriving workforce.
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Key Takeaways
Leadership Development Must Start Earlier – The hospitality industry needs to stop treating management as an afterthought. Embedding leadership training from the outset can build stronger career paths..
Generational Differences Can Work in Our Favour – Instead of resisting change, businesses must bridge the generational gap by combining wisdom from seasoned leaders with fresh perspectives from younger employees.
Hospitality Isn’t Just a Job—It’s a Career – The industry has long been seen as a temporary stepping stone. Shifting the narrative towards growth, opportunity, and fulfillment can make it a destination, not a detour.
Connection is the Heart of Hospitality – Technology and AI may enhance efficiency, but the human touch remains irreplaceable. Leaders must foster genuine engagement and storytelling to keep teams inspired.
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Key Moments
The key moments in this episode are:
0:00:10 – The Leadership Crisis in Hospitality
0:04:37 – Michelle’s Background: From a Turkey Farm to Hospitality Leadership
0:06:56 – The Leadership Crisis: Losing Middle Management Post-COVID
0:09:36 – The Consequences of Losing Middle Management
0:12:39 – Why Hospitality’s Reputation Is Holding It Back
0:18:30 – Generational Gaps and Leadership Differences
0:31:34 – Building Leadership Pipelines: Why It Needs to Start Earlier
0:37:37 – Why Human Connection Is Still the Heart of Hospitality
0:44:09 – Michelle’s Sticky Notes: Three Leadership Tips for Hospitality
0:37:37 – Michelle’s Sticky Notes: Three Leadership Tips for Hospitality
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Join The Conversation
Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here
Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here
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Follow the Podcast on Twitter here
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Check out the Bizjuicer website here
Get a free consultation with Andy here
Check out the Bizjuicer blog here
Download the podcast here
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Useful Links
Follow Michelle Pascoe on LinkedIn here
Find Michelle's website here
Follow Michelle Pascoe on Instagram here
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Full Episode Transcript
Get the full transcript of the episode here
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47:07
The Cultural Balance Sheet: Measuring And Managing Workplace Culture
Can workplace culture be measured as rigorously as financial performance? Christy Pretzinger, founder of WG Content and author of The Cultural Balance Sheet, says yes! In this episode, we explore how her framework applies financial principles—assets, liabilities, and equity—to workplace culture.
Christy shares how leaders can assess, manage, and optimize their culture with the same intent and precision as a balance sheet. We also dive into why kindness is not weakness, how values should guide decisions, and why measuring culture is critical to business success.
We explore:
How liabilities in workplace culture can be transformed into assets
The role of leadership in shaping cultural equity
Why engagement isn’t just agreement—it’s about people who care
The hidden costs of employee turnover (and how to reduce them)
This conversation is packed with insights to help leaders create thriving, high-performing workplaces. Don't miss it!
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Key Takeaways
Culture is measurable, just like finances. Christy applies financial principles to workplace culture, proving that culture isn't just a “soft” concept but something that can be managed with intent and discipline.
Kindness is not weakness—it's a leadership strength. Kindness doesn’t mean avoiding tough conversations. It's about clarity, boundaries, and setting people up for success.
Turnover has hidden costs—invest in culture to reduce it. Losing employees means losing knowledge, relationships, and productivity. A strong, people-focused culture can minimise that and improve performance.
Leaders shape culture through everyday actions. Culture is shaped daily through leadership behaviour, communication, and decision-making. Leaders must be intentional in the pursuit of the culture they need.
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Key Moments
The key moments in this episode are:
0:00:10 – Welcome to Sticky From The Inside
0:03:36 – Can Culture Be Measured Like a Balance Sheet?
0:06:33 – Why Kindness Is a Business Superpower
0:10:39 – The Epiphany Behind the Cultural Balance Sheet
0:14:36 – Cultural Assets: The Foundation of a Thriving Business
0:18:56 – Cultural Liabilities: What’s Holding Your Business Back?
0:27:27 – What Is Cultural Equity and Why Does It Matter?
0:31:08 – How to Measure and Manage Culture Effectively
0:39:37 – The Leadership Role in Shaping Workplace Culture
0:42:37 – Three Sticky Notes for Building a Stronger Culture
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Join The Conversation
Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here
Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here
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Follow the Podcast on Twitter here
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Check out the Bizjuicer website here
Get a free consultation with Andy here
Check out the Bizjuicer blog here
Download the podcast here
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Useful Links
Follow Christy Pretzinger on LinkedIn here
Find Christy's website here
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Full Episode Transcript
Get the full transcript of the episode here
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46:44
The Power of "Ta-Da!": Taking Control Of Happiness At Work
Happiness at work isn’t just about perks and lucky circumstances—it’s about mindset, choice, and taking control. In this lively and insightful episode, Joel Zeff, a high-energy speaker, improv expert, and author of Make The Right Choice, shares how we can actively create more joy in the workplace.
We explore:
How improv teaches us to embrace change and seize opportunities.
The power of “Ta-Da!” moments—small celebrations that fuel happiness and success.
Why fun at work is a performance booster, not a distraction.
The crucial role of positive support in building confidence and resilience.
Joel’s contagious energy and practical insights will leave you rethinking how you approach happiness at work. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a workplace rut, this episode is for you!
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Key Takeaways
Happiness at work is a choice. It’s not something that happens to us—we can create it through celebration, mindset, and the way we engage with our work.
“Ta-Da!” moments fuel energy and confidence. Celebrating small wins builds momentum, motivation, and creates a positive work culture.
Embrace change, don’t fear it. Improv teaches us that we don’t control change, but we do control how we react to it—and that can be empowering.
Support fuels success. People thrive when they receive positive reinforcement and opportunities. Leaders should actively provide both.
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Key Moments
The key moments in this episode are:
0:00:10 – Why happiness at work is an active choice
0:03:12 – Joel Zeff’s journey from journalism to improv and workplace happiness
0:08:04 – The role of play in unlocking confidence and creativity
0:12:14 – The power of small celebrations: Why “Ta-Da!” moments matter
0:21:41 – How improv teaches us to embrace change and react with confidence
0:26:48 – The myth that fun at work means less productivity
0:33:44 – Redefining fun: Why it looks different for everyone
0:39:38 – Finding meaning in work and connecting with purpose
0:44:15 – Sticky Notes – Three takeaways for taking control of happiness at work
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Join The Conversation
Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here
Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here
Follow the Podcast on Instagram here
Follow the Podcast on Twitter here
Follow the Podcast on Facebook here
Check out the Bizjuicer website here
Get a free consultation with Andy here
Check out the Bizjuicer blog here
Download the podcast here
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Useful Links
Follow Joel Zeff on LinkedIn here
Find Joel's website here
Find the "Make The Right Choice" book here
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Full Episode Transcript
Get the full transcript of the episode here
Sticky From The Inside is the go-to podcast for anyone looking to transform their workplace into a thriving, competition-crushing powerhouse. We’re on a mission to change the fact that 65% of employees worldwide are disengaged from their work—because that’s not just bad for business, it’s a waste of time and talent.
Each episode, we bring you dynamic conversations with global experts, thought leaders, and innovative thinkers who share their strategies, stories, and secrets for building a “Stickier Business”—a place where employees are passionate, customers are loyal, and success is the norm.
If you’re ready to boost employee engagement, create an unbeatable workplace culture, and lead with impact, tune in and discover how to build a business that people love from the inside out.
Ireland