Searching Smarter Podcast: Why Many Firms Struggle to Build Real Leaders (And How to Fix It)

Most hiring managers say they're looking for candidates with leadership potential. But too often, what they’re actually screening for is confidence, polish, and performance in a 45-minute interview. That’s not leadership - and it’s why many firms struggle to build truly independent teams.

In this episode of Searching Smarter, host Jesse Skaff sits down with Mike Irving, Founder of Advanced Business Abilities, to break down the mindset gaps that get in the way of effective hiring and sustainable leadership. In a world where job titles often get mistaken for leadership qualities, Mike challenges hiring managers to ask a different set of questions. With over 30 years of coaching experience, he has helped businesses rethink how they hire, lead, and scale.

What you'll discover:

• Why the real job of a leader is to build others who can lead, not gain support or loyalty
• How to recognise real commitment in a candidate - and why rehearsed answers can be a red flag
• The questions that hiring managers should stop asking in interviews
• Why nervousness in candidates often signals authenticity, not weakness
• What “being incorporated into a team” really looks like, and why it matters more than a perfect resume

Mike's advice is clear: if your team still depends on you to move the needle, you're not building leaders. This episode encourages managers to audit how they interview, what traits they’re prioritising, and whether their definition of leadership is actually holding their team back.

Want to learn more?

At the Searching Smarter podcast, we speak to the brightest and boldest minds in financial sciences & services. From talent acquisition leaders and hiring managers to world-class professionals, we delve into all the ways they leverage top talent to drive their businesses forward. Listeners will walk away with expert guidance on how to attract, acquire and retain high-performing teams, as well as what it takes to be a part of one.

It's available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.​ So listen, learn, and let us know what you think.