In this episode, Rob sits down with Michael Deutsch, Managing Partner of The Deutsch Group and owner of Sapphire Talent. They explore the often-overlooked art (and science) of hiring. Michael shares his insights on why most small and mid-sized businesses struggle with hiring, what needs to change, and how organizations can design better hiring processes—especially in remote and hybrid environments. They also dive into broader business challenges like getting stuck despite having the “right people” and how to break through those barriers.

Key Takeaway:

Hiring is more than just filling a seat—it’s about building intentional processes to find and empower the right people. Companies that invest time in preparing structured, curiosity-driven interviews and create culture by design, especially in remote settings, are more likely to scale effectively and sustainably.

Questions I ask Michael Deutsch:

01:46 What are most companies missing out with respect to hiring?

02:48 Where should companies start in terms of improving their hiring process?

03:35 Is it about hiring a good person or hiring the right person for a specific role?

04:38 How do you evaluate whether someone is right for the job during interviews?

06:51 What should the person hiring look for in an answer to a follow up question during an interview?

10:13 How do you assess if someone will thrive in a remote or hybrid environment?

15:47 Other than hiring, what’s the biggest challenge business owners face in getting the most out of their teams?

17:45 When a company already has the right people, where do they still get stuck?

More About Michael:

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Connect with Michael on LinkedIn.

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