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Revenue was up. Headcount doubled fast. But inside the business? People were quitting, managers were snapping, and the culture started sliding into this quiet resentment. The founder said, “I don’t get it… I’m paying them. What else do they want?” Huge red flag! When people don’t feel respected, seen, or safe to speak up, they don’t just disengage. They start protecting themselves. And that’s when your best people stop “rowing the boat” and your company starts bleeding momentum. Today’s conversation is about the fix: how to scale fast without creating career wounds, culture rot, and churn you can’t afford. I’m Rick Girard, and welcome to the Hire Power Radio Show. Fast growth is supposed to feel like winning—but when headcount doubles and culture quietly corrodes, founders pay for it in churn, resentment, and lost momentum. In this episode, Rick Girard sits down with Nick Ayala (Senior Managing Partner, Blue Harbor Capital) to break down how to scale aggressively without creating “career wounds” inside your company. Nick has lived it: he scaled a business from essentially two people to roughly 70 employees in about a year, and later helped scale an insurance organization to ~7,000 agents and nearly $100M in sales within five years. Nick is known for building high-output teams by putting culture first, moving fast on misalignment, and treating people like partners—not payroll. Why hypergrowth creates “people chaos” (and how to prevent culture drift) How “hiring fast” increases culture misses—and why founders must act quickly on misalignment A simple, repeatable system for human-centered leadership conversations How to eliminate “the ceiling” so great people can see a future with you How autonomy (not hovering) creates teams that “run through walls” Guest Links: LinkedIn: Nick Ayala Company: Aligned Equity Group Company: https://capital-unlocked.com/blueprint-144591 Company: Blue Harbor Capital Host Links: LinkedIn: Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Job Description Builder Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon)   Powered by Intertru

In this episode of the Higher Power Radio Show, host Rick Gerard discusses the vital aspects of building effective teams with guest Justin Gray, the managing partner of In Revenue Capital. They emphasize the importance of hiring diverse skill sets and the pitfalls of cloning oneself in a team structure. Justin shares his experiences both as an entrepreneur and a venture capitalist, highlighting the importance of proactive hiring and maintaining long-term relationships with potential candidates. They also delve into practical steps for identifying organizational gaps, refining the hiring process to focus on real-world abilities instead of superficial qualities, and the value of CEOs being actively involved in recruitment. The episode concludes with actionable insights for fostering a strong organizational team and maintaining a proactive recruitment strategy. Guest Links: LinkedIn:  Justin Gray LinkedIn: In Revenue Capital Company: In Revenue Capital   Host Links: LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Job Description Builder Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon)   Powered by Intertru

In this episode of the Higher Power Radio Show, host Rick Gerard speaks with Brian Ferguson, founder and managing partner of Bergmark, about the challenges and solutions related to fostering accountability within organizations. They discuss the concept of 'My Box Misconception,' the difference between an org chart and an accountability chart, and the importance of having the right person in the right seat. Brian shares insights on distinguishing between micromanagement and trust issues, setting clear definitions for accountability, and recognizing the importance of the 'Die on the Hill' list. Tune in to learn practical tips on building a more accountable and collaborative team. Guest Links: LinkedIn: Brian Ferguson Company: Fergmar Instagram: Fergmar Facebook: Fergmar   Host Links: LinkedIn: Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Job Description Builder Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) Powered by Intertru

In this episode of the Hire Power Radio Show, host Rick Girard talks with James Swanson, business disruptor, lifelong punk rocker, and author of 'Super Stoked.' James shares his journey of building a multi-million dollar Las Vegas printing empire by ignoring industry labels and focusing on authentic relationships. From overcoming initial challenges to innovative hiring practices and effective team management strategies, James highlights the importance of prioritizing people over resumes and maintaining quality customer service. Learn about the valuable lessons and principles that led to his success and how they can be applied to any business. Guest Links: LinkedIn:  James Swanson Host Links: LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Job DescriptionBuilder Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon)   Powered by Intertru

AI has turned the hiring funnel into a keyword carnival: unqualified applicants can “win” resume filters in seconds, while the high performers you actually want don’t bother applying. Rick Girard opens with a true story about a CRO who hired a bartender into a sales role—without a resume—because the job post spoke directly to her, and her outreach proved she was real (and driven). Four months later, she’s outperforming the team. This episode is a practical reset: stop treating job descriptions like compliance docs and start treating them like marketing—designed to attract one ideal candidate and repel bots. What You’ll LearnThe real problems behind “too many applicants” AI has broken resume screening—keyword-optimized resumes are easy to generate and hard to trust. Your best candidates aren’t applying because most job posts read like contracts, not opportunities. More candidates ≠ better candidates—volume creates noise, not quality. Auto-apply is the enemy—it lowers the bar and floods your inbox. Links: LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) Powered by Intertru

Two months before the holidays, Nadia—Integrator at a 120-person EOS-run logistics company—finally terminated a manager who was crushing morale and missing targets. The manager’s response (“I’ve spoken to an attorney about retaliation.”) exposed what leadership missed: a recent workers’ comp claim, intermittent leave, and overtime complaints—plus almost no documentation. The outcome was predictable: months of distraction, legal spend, and leadership bandwidth evaporating when execution mattered most. In this episode, California employment attorney Andrea Paris breaks down why terminations are one of the highest-exposure moments in the employment lifecycle—and how to build a clean, defensible process that protects your business without losing your humanity. What you’ll learn Why terminations are uniquely risky: emotion, money, identity, and the “narrative vacuum” created when evidence is thin The ≈90-day “recent activity” risk zone and the types of protected activity that can make timing look retaliatory The “no-surprise termination” principle—and the coaching cadence that makes it real The 90-day lookback audit checklist you should run before any termination decision Day-of termination do’s and don’ts that reduce escalation risk Rick’s Nuggets (practical takeaways) Get your policies in order Document everything Treat people similarly and with respect Links & mentions Guest Links: LinkedIn:  Andrea Paris Company: Andrea Paris Law Host Links: LinkedIn: Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Job Description Builder Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) Powered by Intertru

In this episode of the Higher Power Radio Show, host Rick Girard dives into the complexities and challenges of logistics operations with Bill Drummer, CEO of GPA Logistics. Discover how Sarah's initial success with Walmart turned into a compliance nightmare and how leveraging technology, especially AI, and strong leadership can transform chaos into accuracy. Bill shares the importance of having the right people, simplifying workflows, and fostering a culture of growth and appreciation. Learn about practical strategies and technological solutions that have helped GPA Logistics excel and retain talent while navigating the intricate demands of major retailers. Guest Links: LinkedIn: Bill Drummer LinkedIn: GPA Logistics Group Company: GPA Logistics Group Company: GPA Global   Host Links: LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon)    Powered by Intertru

You’ve been here before—hiring a “rockstar” salesperson who dazzles in the interview but fails to deliver. Flat revenue, missed targets, and excuse after excuse. Sound familiar? This week on the Hire Power Radio Show, Rick Girard digs into the root of this all-too-common issue with sales leadership expert Gary Braun. Together, they break down why small businesses consistently hire the wrong type of salesperson—and what to do about it. Gary brings deep expertise from his time growing a company from $1M to $400M in revenue, and now helping 400+ companies build high-performing sales teams through Pivotal Advisors. Key Takeaways Sales roles aren’t one-size-fits-all: Define your specific sales needs—hunter vs. farmer, service vs. product, inside vs. outside, and more. Most interviews fail at the basics: Without a structured interview process tailored to sales, poor hires are inevitable. Positioning is everything: Ensure candidates are positioned properly for your company, not just anyone’s. Stop relying on interviews alone: Incorporate assessments, real-world activities, and informal settings like dinners to evaluate the whole person. Build a multi-touch hiring process: Involve multiple perspectives, clear expectations, and defined next steps. Actionable Advice for Your Business Define the role with precision. Don’t settle for vague traits—outline the exact skills needed for your ICP (Ideal Customer Profile). Design a repeatable interview process. Go beyond gut feelings and surface-level charm. Leverage data-driven tools. Use assessments and scenario-based activities to test real-world selling skills. Focus on alignment. Ask: is this candidate the right fit for the sales environment I’ve built? Guest Links: LinkedIn: Gary Braun Company: Pivotal  Advisors YouTube: Pivotal Advisors Facebook: Pivotal Advisors  Host Links: LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon)    Powered by Intertru

Join Rick Girard on Higher Power Radio as he discusses crucial strategies for empowering hiring techniques with Charles Eide, founder and CEO of EideCom, to land the most desirable talent. In this episode, Charles shares his journey of scaling his business and the pivotal hiring decisions that propelled his company towards massive success. Discover how to identify what your business really needs, delegate effectively, and invest in people to foster sustainable growth. Learn from Charles' experience in leadership, innovation, and building a strong company culture. A must-watch for entrepreneurs looking to elevate their hiring practices and achieve breakthrough growth. 00:00 Introduction to Higher Power Radio 00:14 The Founder’s Dilemma: Scaling Beyond Sales 01:09 Guest Introduction: Charles Eide 02:03 Charles Eide’s Journey: From Sales to Leadership 04:00 The Turning Point: Hiring a Chief Revenue Officer 07:13 The Impact of Hiring the Right Leader 11:49 The Role of Mentorship and Peer Groups 17:46 Building a Mission-Driven Company Culture 21:15 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts 22:22 Closing Remarks and Contact Information Charles on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleseide/ Host Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-girard-07722/ Podcast: https://pod.link/1267738283 Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Career-Wounds-Ridiculously-Successful/dp/173580360X/ Powered by Intertru - https://intertru.ai/

Transform Your Company Culture: Behavioral Strategies for Success - Featuring Brett Hoogeveen Discover how to build a thriving workplace culture by focusing on behavior over theoretical values in this episode of the Higher Power Radio Show with Rick Gerard. Guest Brett Hoogeveen, an international leadership and culture expert, shares valuable insights on identifying and reinforcing positive employee behaviors, improving leadership roles, and effectively measuring core values within your company. Learn practical tools to make your organization a better place to work and boost your team's performance. Perfect for entrepreneurs and executives looking to create a more engaged and productive workforce. 00:00 Introduction to Empowering Hiring Techniques 00:14 Mark's Coffee Shop Dilemma 01:01 The EOS Blind Spot in Hiring 01:31 Meet Brett Hoge: Leadership and Culture Expert 02:39 Defining Company Culture Through Behaviors 06:05 The Core Values Con Job 12:04 Behavioral Approach to Improving Culture 19:59 Leadership Development and Effective Followship 27:20 Practical Steps to Enhance Workplace Culture 29:40 Conclusion and Resources Connect with Brett - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-hoogeveen/ Website - https://betterculture.com/ Host Links:  LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) Powered by Intertru 

Crafting Job Descriptions for High-Performing Talent | Higher Power Radio Show with Rick Girard Join Rick Girard in this episode of the Higher Power Radio Show as he dives into empowering hiring techniques to attract top talent, essential for your company's success. Learn how to transform generic job postings into compelling role descriptions with actionable performance metrics. Discover the critical elements missing in most job descriptions and why they fail to engage high-performing and passive candidates. Explore a detailed 30, 60, 90-day framework to ensure clarity, measurable success, and seamless onboarding. Girard, a seasoned headhunter and author, also introduces AI tools to streamline the job description process, enhancing recruitment and retention. Tune in and elevate your hiring strategy with practical tips and expert insights. 00:00 Introduction to Empowering Hiring Techniques 00:14 Meet Kim: The Frustrated Marketing Director 01:54 The Problem with Common Job Descriptions 02:57 The Importance of Performance Metrics 04:46 AI and Job Descriptions 06:13 Creating Effective Job Descriptions 08:58 Leveraging Performance Metrics for Success 11:06 Step-by-Step Guide to 30, 60, 90 Day Metrics 18:19 Writing and Validating Job Descriptions 20:10 Using Job Descriptions in Interviews and Onboarding 21:42 Introducing the Interru AI Job Description Builder 23:29 Key Takeaways and Conclusion Host Links:  LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) Powered by Intertru 

In this episode of the Higher Power Radio Show, host Rick Girard discusses the common pitfalls of modern job descriptions and provides actionable solutions to improve them. Drawing comparisons to a successful 1913 Antarctic expedition ad, Rick emphasizes the importance of clarity, candidate focus, and performance metrics in job descriptions. He shares five key steps to crafting effective job descriptions and how leveraging AI can enhance this process. Tune in to learn how to attract the strongest talent for your business and maximize your people ROI. 00:00 Introduction: The Power of a Compelling Job Description 00:38 The Problem with Modern Job Descriptions 01:07 Welcome to Higher Power Radio Show 02:09 Common Complaints About Job Descriptions 05:59 Why Job Descriptions Fail 06:59 How to Fix Job Descriptions 16:02 Key Takeaways for Effective Job Descriptions 18:00 Conclusion and Farewell Host Links:  LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) Powered by Intertru 

In this episode of the Higher Power Radio Show, host Rick Gerard explores the critical importance of hiring for alignment rather than just skills. Joined by Heidi Olson, founder and CEO of All-in-One Accounting, the discussion highlights how Olson's company transformed by prioritizing core values in their hiring, promoting, and reviewing processes. They delve into the concept of the People Analyzer tool from EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), which ranks employees based on core values and job fit. Olson shares her experiences, including painful but necessary personnel changes that ultimately led to increased team cohesion and business success. The episode provides actionable insights for entrepreneurs and executives on building a value-driven, high-performing team. 00:00 Introduction to Empowering Hiring Techniques 00:14 The Importance of Alignment Over Ability 01:03 Meet Our Guest: Heidi Olson 02:39 The Impact of Core Values on Hiring 03:25 Implementing EOS for Business Success 17:28 The Role of AI in Modern Hiring Practices 24:15 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts Links www.allinoneaccounting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/heide-olson/ LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) Powered by Intertru 

In this episode of Higher Power Radio, host Rick Gerard delves into the current challenging hiring environment where AI-coached candidates are becoming increasingly common. He discusses how AI can deceive hiring managers by coaching candidates through interviews, resulting in more false positives and wasted interviews. Rick shares actionable strategies to identify and eliminate AI-coached candidates early in the screening process by focusing on behavioral and story-based questions. Learn how to differentiate genuine talent from AI-generated responses and ensure you're always hiring he best people. 00:00 Introduction to Higher Power Radio 00:14 The Current Hiring Landscape 00:35 AI-Coached Candidates: A Growing Concern 01:45 Spotting Red Flags in Resumes and Interviews 04:43 Solutions to Identify AI-Coached Candidates 05:41 Behavioral and Story-Based Questions 08:41 Understanding Candidate Desires 12:57 Red Flags and Ending Interviews Early 14:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links:  LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) Powered by Intertru   

In this episode of the Higher Power Radio Show, host Rick Gerard sits down with seasoned entrepreneur Andy Duong to discuss the pitfalls and best practices of hiring. Andy shares his journey of building multiple successful companies, focusing on operational excellence and people-first leadership. They dive into the challenges of hiring familiar faces, the importance of defining roles and expectations, and the necessity of creating robust hiring processes. Learn about Andy's worst hire, how he adapted his approach, and discover actionable tips for hiring effectively. Don't miss this insightful discussion packed with valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and executives aiming to strengthen their teams. 00:00 Introduction to Higher Power Radio Show 00:14 The Pitfalls of Hiring Friends and Family 01:05 Guest Introduction: Andy Dew 01:54 Andy Dew's Early Hiring Mistakes 04:18 The Bad Hire Story 09:06 Developing a Robust Hiring Process 16:01 The Importance of Culture Fit 26:26 Key Takeaways and Conclusion Wolf-Packing - https://wolf-packing.com/ Host Links:  LinkedIn:  Rick Girard Company: Intertru, Inc. Podcast: Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast Book: Healing Career Wounds (Amazon) Powered by Intertru