Feb. 6, 2019
Y Scouts, The Purpose-Based Leadership Search Firm

Y Scouts is on a mission to connect 10 million people with work that matters. They’re doing it in a way that completely revamps the way hiring inside companies is done. With candidates, they begin the conversation not with a job requisition listing...
Y Scouts is on a mission to connect 10 million people with work that matters. They’re doing it in a way that completely revamps the way hiring inside companies is done. With candidates, they begin the conversation not with a job requisition listing required skills and experience – but rather a conversation about their own unique “why” in their work. Sounds like a revolution to me! I’m in. Are you?
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There are some people that make their
work just another thing they have to do,
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and there are those that make their
work something that they want to do.
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Welcome to Working on Purpose with your
host Elise Cortez. In our program,
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we provide guidance and inspiration from those
people who have found deeper meaning and
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personal connection to their work life.
It's beyond nine to five. It's working
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on Purpose. Now Here is your
host, Elise Cortez. Welcome back to
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Working on Purpose Show. Thanks for
tuning in again this week. I'm your
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host, Elise Cortez, joining you
live from Dallas, Texas, which is
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home base for me. If you've
been tuning in for a while, you
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know this program is all about how
people create more meaningful and productive personal and
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work lives, and equipping leaders inside
organizations to cultivate meaning and purpose and elicits
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passion inspired contribution, innovation and persevering
formans. I talk with my guest to
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draw on their expertise and share my
own experience consulting, speaking and developing workforces
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across the globe. Every week.
In these conversations, I hope you walk
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away with something you can immediately put
to use in your life and that you
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come alive with a possibility of living
with passion, working on purpose, and
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are inspired to discover for yourself just
how big and fulfilling your life, work
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and leadership can be. And if
you do catch fire from anything you hear,
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reach out and tell me about it. Email me at Elise at Elise
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Cortez dot com or use the contact
me feature on my website to message me.
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Tell me how I can help.
Whether you want to join the distribution
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list to stay informed of these radio
show topics, you want to see about
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joining a catch fire online inspiration,
accountability or a mastermind community. You want
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information on my purpose driven leadership programs
for individuals or companies, or you want
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to see about having me speak for
your company or conference and an your rate.
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I'm glad we're connected and thanks for
listening. Now onto this week's program
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with us this week is Max Hanson. He's the CEO and co founder of
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y Scouts, the first ever based
executive search firm. We'll be talking about
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how he entered the purpose movement and
why he thinks it's critical to business success
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today. The approached he in his
team at white Scouts takes to join with
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their with their client companies and candidates, and where he sees the future of
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the workforce. He joins us today
from Phoenix, Arizona. Max, Welcome
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to Working on Purpose. Oh thanks, Eliza, it's great to be on
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your show. Well. I always
like to tell our listeners where it is
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that I find my guests, and
so here I was minding my very own
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business, Max, when I smacked
up in next to you at a Purpose
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conference that you helped sponsor in Phoenix, Arizona last October, and I just
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want to I want to just give
a shout out to you supporting a conference
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like that, that's just amazing.
It was a phenomenal experience. And we'll
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also shout out Imperative and Aaron Hurston
team who put on the conference. Pretty
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phenomenal. Yeah, oh yeah,
I agree. I was really honored to
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be a part of it, and
I was really really proud of Imperative to
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take the first step and put on
a conference like that for the first time.
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So it was just great to be
a part of it. And it
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really felt like, I will say, our tribe because I know that you
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think similarly to me, So it
was wonderful to be a partment of that
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conference. Well, I'll tell you
a little secret that nobody else will know,
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including anybody who might be listening.
I actually had it on my program
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my calendar to host my own first
ever purpose conference of some sort. The
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week after that, Aaron Hurston team
had had theirs on. And once I
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found out about Aaron's I'm like,
heck, I'm going to just join this
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bandwagon. This sounds really amazing and
I'm glad I did so. I was
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on my radar too. There's something
something in the water here, Max,
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Well, we're glad. We're glad
you did as well. Les. Yeah,
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well, thank you, thank you. I love meeting your team,
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And shout out to Priscilla by the
way for her help and help and getting
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you on the show. Thank you, Priscilla. So let's talk about you
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in this amazing career, and we
do have a little something in common.
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And then I started my human capital
career twenty years ago in recruiting. But
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you've made a career out of helping
companies find key talent they need to drive
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and grow their businesses. But you'd
say that somewhere in twenty eleven you began
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to notice that traditional contingent hiring model
wasn't allowing you to help your organizations solve
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the deeper witted issues they were facing
in their hiring practices. And then as
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a recruiting leader, with decades of
all those experiences, I'd like to understand,
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what did you see? What did
you notice? Well, I'd like
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to say it was linear that I
was in the recruiting business and helping companies
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hire people, and just one day
I woke up and said I wanted to
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align people on purpose, you know, in the workplace. But it wasn't
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It wasn't quite that linear. Were
tidy, I suppose or tity? Right?
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We had? In January two thousand
and two, I started my first
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company called job Brokers, which is
kind of ironic because the word job and
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the word brokers, you know,
ten years later both were kind considered four
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letter words in a way. So
we rebranded to a company called True Path,
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and both those companies were still around
today. I sold my interest in
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those companies and took one hundred percent
of the shares to White Scouts. But
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how we ended up with why Scouts
is we did. When I first started
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in the recruiting business, I started
at Narotech, which is a most people
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probably know who Aerotech is their owned
by the Allegious Group, and they taught
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me a lot. I was really
honored to start there and see how a
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company with very sophisticated processes and uh
you know had been built and how they
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were training their folks. So I
started there and then I moved on to
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a smaller company based out of Tempee, and it really made me realize how
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much I learned from Aarotech. So
by the time I started my own company,
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I really had the experience of a
really sophisticated, scaled company to over
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three hundred and fifty os when I
left to a to When I quit,
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I went to a single office that
was, you know, pretty much the
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opposite of that. So I kind
of saw the best of both worlds.
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I saw very entrepreneurial company in the
company that I moved to, and then
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where I came from was obviously a
well well structured companies. So we set
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out and we did a lot of
contract to hire, which a lot of
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uh you know, firms do,
and I'm not here to bad talk contract
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to hire by any means, but
once we had done that for calling about
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ten years we had we had hired. I'm just going to guess probably twenty
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five thousand people at that point,
and I started to kind of lose my
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interest in the contract to higher model. I think we were effective in helping
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some companies, and I won't name
some of the bigger companies because I don't
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think it's relevant. But what I
started to see as I started to see
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it was kind of a revolving door
and we're really refilling the same roles over
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and over, and it was beneficial
for companies, but it became it became
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more I didn't see it as I
didn't see it as meaningful. I saw
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it as sometimes that we were maybe
even kind of kicking the can down the
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road and perpetuating the problem of of
really addressing the root of the hiring challenges
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with our client companies. So at
about two thousand and eleven, I started
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it kind of asked myself, you
know, what do I really It's just
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what I want to do for the
rest of my life. And to be
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honest when I say it wasn't linear, I really felt like I kind of
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lost my way, and I'd say, you know, kind kind of figured
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out that I didn't know what my
purpose was. And it took me a
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little soul searching to find it at
that point. And ironically, at that
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point in twenty eleven, I was
making and well into the Seven Figures and
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everything in theory should have been great, but there was something missing and it
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took me a It took me a
while to figure that out. And there
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was actually one There was one kind
of conversation I had with my son,
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who's almost fourteen years old now,
so he was of my mass right.
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He was about four years old at
the time. Him and my nephew walked
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up to me and they asked me
what I did, what I did for
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work? And these are you know, four and a five year old asked
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me this. But I had been
kind of wrestling with it whether this is
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something that I want to do,
and whether it's something that's really solving,
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you know, really deep rooted problems. And I was already kind of in
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question about it. So when they
asked me what I did, I told
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them proudly that I get people jobs
and I find people work and they kind
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of shook me off and they said, no, what is it that you
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really do? And I was kind
of confused with their question, and I
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thought about it. They wanted to
know what I actually did. So what
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I actually did is I just met
people and talk with them on the phone
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and met them in person, and
they looked at me and they said,
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that's all you do, and they
ran off and laughed. And that was
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kind of the uh, you know, kind of the straw that broke the
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camel's back and made me really start
searching for applying what I had learned and
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making, you know, figuring out
how to use it and make it a
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lot more meaningful. Oh my gosh, Max, A couple of things.
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That's so great when I really appreciate
where you come from, and I myself
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will also fit into that bucket of
getting to a place where you're going really
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is all there is and there must
be more. That is part of I
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think from has been also my launch
to look for and discover my purpose.
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So I really appreciate it. We
maybe have to get there sometimes to be
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able to be motivated to go looking
for it. Wow, that's thank you
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for sharing on that level. First, the second thing I want to I
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want to just sort of bring up
to what I heard you hint at.
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And I've been wondered about this too, having come from them from the recruiting
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space. I do find it perplexing
how much money companies can spend on search
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when they would be better served to
find a way, I think sometimes to
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make the employees that they have want
to stay. And that might be through
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helping them discover and align their purpose
through the organization, or it might be,
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you know, just better leadership and
management. But I've really been amazed.
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I mean, really it's a real
pain point. But it sounds like
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you started to notice something similar.
Yeah, you know, and even before
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that, at least, I think
one of the first things that really drove
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Brian Moore and I'd come up with
what at the time was the first ever
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purpose based leadership recruiting model or first
purpose based recruiting model. What we really
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saw was, and I know this
maybe it sound a little brass, but
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we saw people that were flat out
lying in interviews, and then we saw
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companies and hiring managers, which I
kind of bucketed ourselves in that bucket as
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we were kind of setting people up
to light in interviews. I mean,
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we were basically posting jobs, people
were rewriting their resumes, we were using
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you know, computers, the keyword
match, and then we were basically taking,
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you know, the best matches,
and we were starting with those and
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so that drive that drove us kind
of crazy that we were that we were
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doing this. To me, it
wasn't so much that I was blaming the
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interviewees that they were lying. I
looked at it like, hey, we're
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stewards of the interview process and we're
setting up a process that doesn't work in
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bating people in to lie on interviews. So, even backing up a little
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bit further, I think that's the
thing that drove us crazy. So the
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first thing we did when we started
Wi Scouts, and this is still what
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we do today, is we don't
believe in posting jobs. And it's not
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that we think that people that do
they're bad people that hire us, they
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just don't hire us to post their
jobs. And we'll get into too why
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that is, but the main reason
is we like authenticity and we believe the
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best way to get authenticity is to
ask somebody and interview somebody before they know
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the specifics about the job and the
role. So the first kind of tenet
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of starting White Scouts, and the
first thing that we toyed around with in
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reinventing the hiring process was not posting
jobs and doing going through a covert discovery
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process, which I'm sure we'll talk
more about. But yeah, so sorry,
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I skipped that kind of in my
first answer, and I wanted to
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make sure to share that with you
and thank you for that teaser, Max,
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because you're right after we get into
the second segment. That's really what
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I want to focus that segment on
is just really how you distinguish your approach
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now at White Scouts. But before
we get into that, because that will
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be after the break, I want
to understand. I mean, you can't
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really turn anywhere today, Max,
I don't think without discovering the word purpose
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somewhere. I mean, I've seen
you know, purpose, purpose food,
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purpose breakfast, purpose tires. You
know, it's everywhere. So what do
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you think is going on in the
world that is so contributing to this whole
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purpose movement? You know? I
think I think everybody, uh you know,
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if you look at it kind of
worldwide or globally, I think everybody
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is so much more connected through technology
and just the globalization of business on so
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many levels. I think, uh, you know, people can now really
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associate themselves with you know, people
all over the world that are feeling the
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same things, going through the same
tragic events, you know. So I
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think that there's you know, there's
there's there's that where people are just able
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to really associate themselves, uh,
you know, on on a global level.
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And then we've always talked about when
we started White Scoutson and this is
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just kind of coming now to me, But when we started to talk about
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White Purpose matters, when we started
White Scouts and called twenty eleven twelve,
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we always said it was because of
three main things that we saw at the
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time. And we said the first
one was when night nine to eleven.
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So when I when nine to eleven
happened, I think everybody it took everybody
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back, at least in the US, but I think, you know,
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most of the world was paying attention
to nine eleven, but it you know,
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the funny part is is the younger
generations now, they are too young
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sometimes to remember where they were where
nine to eleven was. So that makes
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me feel really ill. But from
a you know, from when we look
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back, we looked at nine to
eleven is a big event where it really
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caught everybody, you know, off
guard, and it made them think,
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wow, anything this could end at
any moment, and we need to make
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the most of it, and we
need to make sure we maximize and really
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enjoy our time outside of work and
inside of work. And then I think
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the crash of two thousand and eight
was another big event that really helped people,
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uh, you know, especially especially
folks that were kids of parents who
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had basically worked their entire lives.
And I don't want to exaggerate too much,
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but a lot of them worked watch
their parents miserable in a job,
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working you know, eight to five
or more hours, and then they saved
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up all their money, and then
that one single day they lost a good
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portion of their savings or their life
savings. And then the last piece that
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kind of covers and circles back to
your question is technology in the internet.
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I think, you know, those
three combined, and really in that time
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when we started White Scouts, we
started to identify that those three things were
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really driving people to really yearn for
purpose more than ever. That was so
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crisp, and I completely agree with
this assessment. I've done enough research,
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including the stuff that are in Hearst
puts out, which I think is brilliant,
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and I've come to a very similar
conclusions, but that was extremely Chris
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for our listeners. And on that
note, Max, let's grab our first
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break. I'm your host, Elisa
Cortez. We've were on the air with
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Max Hanson, who is the CEO
and co founder of White Scouts, the
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first ever purpose based executive search for
him. He's unched today from Phoenix,
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Arizona. We've been talking a bit
about how it was that he found him
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so thrust into the purpose movement.
After the break, Bruna talk about his
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model and what he sees people really
crave and want in the work lives today.
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Stay with us, We'll be right
back. Alise Cortez is a speaker
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and engagement and development catalyst. She
designs and delivers professional development, leadership and
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engagement workshops and can bring her expertise
to your organization. She will help ignite
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meaningful development within your workforce that will
increase employee engagement, performance and retention.
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To learn more or to invite a
last to speak to your organization, please
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visit her at www dot Elise Cortez
dot com. She would welcome the opportunity
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to help get your employees working on
purpose. This is working on purpose with
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00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:10.200
Elise Cortez to reach our program today, send an email to Elise ali se
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at Elise Cortez dot com. Now
back to working on purpose. Thanks for
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00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:22.880
staying with us, and welcome back
to working on purpose if you're just joining
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us. My guest is Max Hanson. He's the CEO and co founder of
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why Scouts. His desire to help
organizations with the root of their challenges in
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hiring, along with the lack of
meaning in his own work, pushed him
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to create his first ever purpose based
leadership search firm. In twenty fifteen,
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he sold all his interest in three
traditional recruiting companies to more aggressively pursue building
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Why Scouts and purpose Based Leadership Search. I'm your host, Elise Cortez.
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So Max, so much great information
coming from you, and I really think
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that you've got a unique vantage point
to the world of talent. And I
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once upon a time had a similar
kind of role when I was in recruiting,
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and that we get to drink deeply
at the wealth of people's innermost connection
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to go work when we when we're
in the recruiting role, and they let
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usten to every sacred place into our
into their lives. So I want to
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understand what is it that you think
you've learned from people about? What do
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they crave in work today? What
are they looking for? Well, you
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know, and kind of listening to
some of your stuff as well. I
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think you're gonna really relate to this. But I you know, I think
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people now more than ever, they
crave being part of something bigger than themselves
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at all levels. I mean,
I think we used to see that more,
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you know, in the leadership level
years ago, but I think it's
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in a good way become table stakes. I think we always have historically talked
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about uh, you know, when
we grew up. The question used to
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be, you know, what do
you what do you want to do when
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you grow up? And I think
the more appropriate question now is we've talked
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about this h since we started WI
Scouts, But the more appropriate question now
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is what do you want to be
a part of? And I think that
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resonates with people they really want to
uh you know, not only feel apart
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and feel welcome at home where they
where they work, feel included. And
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then they also I think, you
know, we see people when they're able
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to contribute towards you know, a
company's purpose or cause or you know,
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efficiencies or production in a way that
utilizes their strengths. I think, you
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know, those things are are very
important, and that's you know, kind
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of the we're still seeing that trend
so are gone or the days max when
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people used to say, well,
let's see what skills can I go out
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there and learn so I can make
the biggest paycheck? Or is that still
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out there? Oh? I don't
think it's completely gone. I think,
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you know, people people just look
at it a little bit different. I
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don't think they I believe that there
are some people that still you know,
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kind of work for a paycheck and
exchange time for my and in some cases,
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you know, that's that's the way
they'll they might remain. My hope
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is that they don't, that they
you know, wake up and they see
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that there's a better way and they
can actually enjoy themselves and not look at
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it as a kind of a meaningless
exchange. But I don't think it's completely
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gone. I think the what what
I what I have seen since we started
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why Scouts is we focus. When
we first started the company, we were
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really dead set on not specializing in
any industry because we didn't see any one
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industry uh, that was concentrated with
purpose and values driven companies, you know,
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and I think there's a lot of
research from Imperative that supports that.
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So, you know, we we
really uh stayed disciplined and didn't specialize,
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and I think that's changed. So
I think that's that that it's kind of
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more table stakes to provide a more
meaningful workplace, which is really nice to
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see. I think that's kind of
the we give credit to the purpose movement
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and everybody a part of it that
has really raised the bar for really all
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companies to you know, just to
provide a more meaningful workplace where they are
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developing, you know, all the
folks that are working for them, both
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personally and professionally. Very interesting observations. I have to agree with you absolutely
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on all that. It's always great
to hear somebody's perspective, though that's so
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deeply in the trench as you are, Max. And then the other side
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of that, the question that I
wanted to find out was you make mention.
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I forget where I saw this,
it was on your website or what,
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but you talk about your observation that
we today were so deeply entrenched in
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the techeological world and yet there seems
to be such an increasing demand for strong
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leaders and talent. And so what
I was wondering is if you've seen and
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maybe you just answered that in your
last statement, if there's any general coalescence
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around what companies are seeking in terms
of leadership, Is there something in particular
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perspect active away a lens. Yeah, you know, I actually think there
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is. I'll say, you know, for companies that have really returned the
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page, and I think that there's
a little variance from company to the company.
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And that variance is if the company
has adopted some sort of leadership model,
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like some way that they are developing
leaders that is unique to their company.
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And so we see that when we
do business with some of our clients
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that have really good cultures, like
they have their own I'll call it a
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leadership model. And then but we
have the way we look at all companies.
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Unless a company asks us specifically to
use a different leadership model, we
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use the White Scouts has developed a
leadership model with a neuroscientist about five years
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ago. And so where I think
all companies where they don't vary unless they
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have their own leadership models. I
believe and we believe that one of the
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we look at we look at the
White Scouts leadership model. It has three
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elevated behaviors of for exceptional leadership,
and three elevated behaviors that we see that
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are the same amongst companies or amongst
leaders is are they a relentless learner,
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how they've developed other people, and
how do they drive results? Almost like
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a three legged stool. And I
think I have seen very little variants when
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I look at all of companies.
When I look at leadership, what constitutes
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a good leader? Leaders that can
show proofpoints in those three areas generally can
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lead well in almost any business.
So it's kind of a two part answers.
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So companies that have developed beyond you
know, with their own leadership model,
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I do believe there's variants and companies
that haven't. We apply that leadership
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model and it seems to work amongst
all the companies who work with That's so
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yummy. I love that, Max. Love that something again that that our
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listeners can just immediately take away and
start to consider for their own companies have
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so great. Okay, I want
to talk about White Scouts right now.
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This is the this is where we
get to really talk about your unique approach
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to the marketplace. And let's start
with the name why Scouts. I love
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it, Max, It's so it's
so smart, it's so clever. So
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the letter why and then Scouts.
I'm going to make a big assumption,
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but before I do, tell us
how the name came up. Yeah,
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it's actually pretty interesting. Once Bran
and I realized what we were creating,
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we obviously wanted the name and the
branding to reflect, you know, what
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we're building as much as possible,
And obviously say, the letter why stands
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for you know what people ask themselves
when they really are trying to find their
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purpose and really figure out what it
is they were, you know, kind
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of put on earth to do,
And so it stands for for the you
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know, kind of world why.
And then if you look at the letter
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why, it's a fork in the
road, and we believe that at least
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historically. I think maybe it's more
normal now, but there was a point
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in time, and there's probably a
point in time for a lot of people
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were they have to make a decision
on which way they're going to go,
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are they're going to go down and
kind of follow the direction that you know,
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they had been going just because that's
what they've done. Are they going
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to take the you know, they're
going to take the turn to something that
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you know has been that's driving them, or they have more purpose and meaning
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for and then you know, the
words scouts. It was interesting. We
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actually took we took our ten where
we believe our biggest competitor back then and
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that's probably changed a little bit,
but we took their websites. We made
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a word cloud out of their websites, and the words scouts was not in
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any of their websites anywhere. And
I'm kind of a sports guy and I
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think most people can relate to what
a scout does in sports. So we
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really liked, uh, you know
why in the different various meetings for why.
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The other thing is that you're familiar
with you know, X theory and
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Y theory. It's that was kind
of part of it as well. We
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thought that fit just perfect X theory
as people will only work for the exchange
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of money and pay, and then
why theory. Obviously people are looking for
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much more meeting in their work,
so it had various meetings. It made
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a lot of sense, and you
know, we've been kind of proud of
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the name, and it's uh,
you know, it's it's been good.
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You've we've enjoyed the name and meaning
and I appreciate you asking about it.
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Well, that was a far richer
response. I only got the why as
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in the y h y, the
why question part of it and the scout
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part. All the rest I didn't
get. I loved how you filled that
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in, Max, And there's so
much in a name, especially for what
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you're up to, and I love
how you've taken such thought to create a
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meaningful name that stands for what you're
up to. It's great. Oh,
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thank you. Yeah. Yeah,
Well, let's talk about another lofty thing
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about show that I already loved.
It's smacked right across the home page of
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your website, but it says that
you're out to connect ten million people to
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work that matters. I think that
is off the charts wonderful. I like
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it. So where did that come
from? Ten million people? It's a
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great question, and it was a
big step and a big transition. You
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know, since we started out doing
leadership search, you know, one can
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obviously assume that we're not going ever
get to ten million people, likely with
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just doing leadership search as a professional
service. So when we came up with
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that, it was probably three or
four years ago. That was really committing
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to just making as big impact as
possible and doing it in a way that's
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more than just professional services. So
what we do is we have a process
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that we continually prove out, we
continue to continue to evolve it, but
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we want to productize it. We
want to We're about to publish a book
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called Hiring on Purpose, so we
want to touch as many lives as we
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can. We want to share how
we do what we do, and really
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we're we have our our goal set
on ten million because we know the only
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way to get there is through products
and books and other ways to really educate
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people and teach them a better way
of hiring and aligning people on purpose.
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No, I am oh, I'm
going to screen this from the rooftops.
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Max, this is great. Happy
to share this anywhere I can. Well,
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I want to talk a little bit
about that. I know we can't
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really go into a whole lot of
detail just given the time constraints, but
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shared with us Max, your approach
to working with client companies who want to
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engage your services, How is the
way that you engage them today? Different
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than what you did before and the
more traditional contingent search. Yeah. Sure,
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Well we always talk about in this
will probably lend well to listeners,
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so I don't get into much detail
that will lose them. But we talk
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about our three uniques at wise Scouts
and the three uniques that we have.
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The first one is our role visioning
exercise, so we are able to take
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companies through a process. We're individuals
leaders, and then people throughout the organization
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they give us information that helps us
define clarity about the role, really define
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what success looks like in the role. And then there's a company DNA assessment
404
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which really helps us understand the purpose, the values and the culture of the
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organization. So right up front,
and this comes from you know, the
406
00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:30.000
tens of thousands of roles that I
work before. When somebody hands you a
407
00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:36.039
job description, most most of the
time that job description, it doesn't necessarily
408
00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.799
mean it's accurate because you know,
and I'm sure you know this at least
409
00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:42.799
being in the recruiting world. Most
of the time job descriptions are written by
410
00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:48.200
one person in you know, possibly
HR by one person who's really copy and
411
00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:51.720
pasting a similar job from another company. And what tends to happen when you
412
00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:55.559
do that as you copy and paste
a bunch of extra things and you pass
413
00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.880
it around and you say, this
is this right, and then you just
414
00:29:56.920 --> 00:30:00.920
add stuff to it. So our
proces us really simplifies that, and really
415
00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:06.359
we always end up with three to
five success outcomes and no more and key
416
00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:11.599
responsibilities with those, and it's through
a collaborative We call it the multi stakeholder
417
00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:15.920
process. So that's kind of the
first differentiator. And then the second one
418
00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:22.559
is that covert search process that I
referred to before. Anytime we reach out
419
00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:29.680
to a potential leader, we don't
ever disclose who the company we're working for,
420
00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:33.319
what the role is. We just
let them know we're retaining exclusive obviously,
421
00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:36.000
we don't have any job postings out, you know, out on the
422
00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:38.799
internet, and we let them know
that the company we're working on the behalf
423
00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:45.599
of care so much about the complete
alignment of purpose, values, culture,
424
00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:48.440
and professional competencies that they want to
take. They want us to take them
425
00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:52.720
through a discovery process similarly to the
one that we took them through, and
426
00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:56.680
then we asked the candidate, are
you good with that? And it's absolutely
427
00:30:56.720 --> 00:31:07.079
amazing how people are really pleasantly surprised
that we really care about them first before
428
00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:11.759
we start getting into the professional competencies
piece. And then the last piece is
429
00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:17.160
that that leadership model. We're really
the whole time we're talking to candidates,
430
00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:19.759
and sometimes we sneak some questions in
on the on the front end before they
431
00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:23.279
know who the company in the role
is, but we're really looking to see
432
00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:29.279
how they've set themselves up as a
relentless learner, where their proofpoints are,
433
00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:33.119
how they've developed other people, and
how they've driven results. So I'd say
434
00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:37.640
that combination of those three really kind
of set us apart and differentiate what we
435
00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:41.079
do in the marketplace. Hold launch
to sect, Max, are you telling
436
00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:45.680
me that you're you do not let
yourself get into a situation with your clients
437
00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:49.440
when they take their requisition and you
ask them about all these things and what
438
00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:53.079
they're looking for and then they reply
back, I'll know it when I see
439
00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:56.119
it, Max, just send me
candidates. Yeah, no, we don't
440
00:31:56.240 --> 00:32:00.920
yet. It's amazing, And you
know it's the the most amazing. What
441
00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:02.480
I'm most proud of, and I
think everybody I shouldn't say me, but
442
00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:08.519
our entire team's most proud of is
when our clients tell us what the candidates
443
00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:10.880
they end up hiring, or even
the ones that they don't end up hiring,
444
00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:14.559
we always ask, you know,
what did they think, and they
445
00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:19.720
they just give us accodes that we've
never been approached like that, and that
446
00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:23.519
was the best feeling. Because most
people are just thrown job descriptions and just
447
00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:27.039
saying hey, or you enter,
you out, you know, we call
448
00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:29.440
and actually ask, you know,
what do you most care about and tell
449
00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:32.160
them that we want to take them
through a discovery process before we spend time
450
00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:36.880
talking about the specifics of the job. So we spend thirty minutes on the
451
00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:39.119
front and just getting to know them
and really asking the open ended questions and
452
00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:45.319
letting them really dictate what they want
to talk about, what work they really
453
00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:47.960
they're good at, what work they
like to do, what work they don't
454
00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:52.680
like to do. So it's pretty
amazing. It's when we first started,
455
00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:55.440
it was a little awkward. People
didn't know what to do. They didn't
456
00:32:58.000 --> 00:33:01.119
they were a little shocked by it. Now people respond really really well,
457
00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:06.440
especially very talented people that get hit
by recruiters all the time. When they're
458
00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:10.160
hit with this different, differentiated approach, they really they really enjoy it,
459
00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:15.720
and they really they really get sucked
in through it. I really get how
460
00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:19.279
that would then stop the whole process
of just speaking to him and Cannada's just
461
00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:22.279
speak to whatever their requisition says they
have to do, and more to where's
462
00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:25.400
their heartworks or soul. I so
get that, Max, It's brilliant.
463
00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:30.400
Yeah. Yeah. We once had
a gentleman, just kind of remembering this
464
00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:35.160
off the top of our head,
but we were working on a role for
465
00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:38.799
a very high end drug treatment center. It was a CEO role, if
466
00:33:38.839 --> 00:33:43.960
I remember right. And so during
the covert process, we asked one of
467
00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:47.359
the questions. There's there's a we
have a whole discovery library of questions,
468
00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:52.039
and we asked the you know,
if you could do anything. One of
469
00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:55.640
the questions was if you could do
anything regardless of the pay, or if
470
00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:59.240
you could do anything and make the
same pay that you're making now, but
471
00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:01.480
do anything, what would you do? And this gentleman, as we were
472
00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:06.440
working for this drug treatment center,
said he would love to run a drug
473
00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:12.760
treatment center because his brother got addicted
to drugs after a baseball injury, and
474
00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:16.199
and basically, you know, he
lost his brother to drug addiction and so
475
00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:20.199
I was part of I was training
a person during this. This was years
476
00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:22.559
ago, and I was My eyes
were just wide open. It couldn't believe
477
00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:27.960
that, you know, it was
that direct of a hit on what his
478
00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:30.599
kind of true purpose in life is. So so that's a you know,
479
00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:35.119
it's a fun story to tell.
Oh, I'm usually things don't align that
480
00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:37.239
perfect, but it really gives you
a flavor of what it's all about.
481
00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:43.840
Talk about meaningful connection, something we
all crave. And with that, Max,
482
00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:46.000
let's take our last short break.
I'm Elise Cortez, your host Women
483
00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:49.599
in the Air with Max Hanson,
who is the CEO and co founder of
484
00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:52.760
White Scouts, the first ever purpose
based executive search firm. He joined today
485
00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:57.000
from Phoenix, Arizona. We've been
talking a bit about how he works with
486
00:34:57.039 --> 00:35:00.519
clients and the unique things he's been
seeing in a marketplace in leadership. After
487
00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:02.199
the week, we're going to talk
about the future of the workforce. Stay
488
00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:27.119
with us, we'll be right back. Alise Cortez is a speaker and engagement
489
00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:32.119
and development catalyst. She designs and
delivers professional development, leadership and engagement workshops
490
00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:37.960
and can bring her expertise to your
organization. She will help ignite meaningful development
491
00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:43.119
within your workforce that will increase employee
engagement, performance and retention. To learn
492
00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:46.000
more or to invite Elise to speak
to your organization, please visit her at
493
00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:52.519
www dot Elise Cortez dot com.
She would welcome the opportunity to help get
494
00:35:52.559 --> 00:36:02.920
your employees working on purpose. This
is working on Purpose with Elise Cortez.
495
00:36:04.400 --> 00:36:08.920
To reach our program today, send
an email to Elise ali Se at Elise
496
00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:27.000
Cortez dot com. Now back to
working on purpose. Thanks for staying with
497
00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:29.920
us, and welcome back to working
on purpose. If you're just tuning in.
498
00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:31.760
My guest is Max Hanson. He's
the CEO and co founder of why
499
00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:36.840
Scouts. His desire to help organizations
with the rid of their problems in hiring,
500
00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:38.519
along with the lack of meaning in
his own work, push him to
501
00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:44.119
create this first ever purpose based leadership
search firm, and in twenty fifteen he
502
00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:47.199
sold all his interest in three traditional
recruiting companies to more aggressively pursue building Why
503
00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:52.119
Scouts and purpose based leadership search.
I'm your host, Elise Cortez, so
504
00:36:52.199 --> 00:36:55.000
Max, for this last segment here, I really thought it would be interesting
505
00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:59.719
to pick your brain on the future
of the workforce. Again, you're in
506
00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:02.280
a very unique vantage point having been
in a space for more than a couple
507
00:37:02.280 --> 00:37:07.599
of decades, and I think you
your your your strategic thinker. So where
508
00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:10.719
do you think the world of work
is headed? What will companies need to
509
00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:15.320
do to find and retain that core
talent? You know, I think where
510
00:37:15.320 --> 00:37:22.000
the where things are headed? You
know, obviously our different jobs will change.
511
00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:25.119
I think there'll be new, uh, newly created jobs, I think
512
00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:30.360
for companies. And this is kind
of why our model is the way it
513
00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:34.199
is with that role visioning, uh, you know kind of exercise on the
514
00:37:34.199 --> 00:37:37.760
front end is I think companies are
going to have to, uh, they're
515
00:37:37.800 --> 00:37:40.400
going to have to know how to
define those new roles. They're going to
516
00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:45.679
have to know how to define roles
that don't even exist right now in order
517
00:37:45.719 --> 00:37:51.119
to take take advantage of opportunities that
don't exist currently in the marketplace. So,
518
00:37:52.199 --> 00:37:55.199
and I read a lot about you
know, you know, technology and
519
00:37:57.119 --> 00:38:00.559
automation taken over you know job.
Do I think that will happen? Yes,
520
00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:04.239
I think that will happen. I
think it's been happening. I think
521
00:38:05.239 --> 00:38:10.880
the companies that adapt best to it
are going to win and so so I
522
00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:16.400
pay a close attention to it fascinates
me. You know, we see a
523
00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:22.199
lot of new titles, uh you
know, I mean now from chief innovation
524
00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:27.320
officers to you know, more forward
thinking uh, you know titles. But
525
00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:31.079
I think I think what people have
to from our advantage point is companys just
526
00:38:31.199 --> 00:38:35.639
have to know how to define those
roles and keep going with the paunches and
527
00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:39.599
adapt. Okay, so that means
we can't go on autopilot anymore, which
528
00:38:39.639 --> 00:38:44.320
is what I do see a lot
of companies doing in their hiring practice.
529
00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:50.079
That's exactly right. I would say
that would be the opposite direction to go.
530
00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:53.199
If there's one thing that fascinates me. As you know, all this
531
00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:58.320
new technology comes out and AI and
all these new things that you know,
532
00:38:58.360 --> 00:39:02.320
people talk about taking over hiring,
the one thing I still see. I
533
00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:07.639
haven't seen any change. I still
see then, aid to make sure you
534
00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:13.280
hire the best leaders. I actually
see that the demand to hire the best
535
00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:19.280
leaders increasing and not decreasing. So
I think we're safe for a while here.
536
00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:22.119
That's that's great, that's so great. Well, and to that end,
537
00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:24.920
I next thing I wanted to talk
about was this whole notion of the
538
00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:30.000
more mature or experienced person in the
workplace, Max. I mean, I
539
00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:34.639
know, just in my own immediate
network, many many people who are gosh,
540
00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:38.159
probably maybe past the mid fifties,
and when they maybe they've been pushed
541
00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:43.840
out of an organization and it might
take months or longer a year plus to
542
00:39:44.400 --> 00:39:47.239
land another role. And so I
don't know if that's just the company I
543
00:39:47.320 --> 00:39:52.320
keep, Max, And from what
I can read out there and the literature,
544
00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:54.719
it seems like there is more of
this thing where these the older folks,
545
00:39:55.079 --> 00:40:00.280
the more senior folks are getting squeezed
out of the marketplace. You have
546
00:40:00.320 --> 00:40:02.719
a perspective on that, Roney Dad, on that, Yeah, you know,
547
00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:07.559
I do. We actually just wrote
an article on ages and Tasha and
548
00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:10.239
my office did a really nice job
on it. She actually is fifty one
549
00:40:10.280 --> 00:40:15.400
herself, and so she had a
lot of uh you know, just a
550
00:40:15.440 --> 00:40:20.920
lot of fire behind the article.
But I'm a really I'm a really tough
551
00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:24.400
one to talk about it with.
You know. I think if I remember
552
00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:30.960
rights, maybe it's eighteen point eight
percent of people over sixty five are still
553
00:40:30.960 --> 00:40:32.880
working today, versus I think it
was twelve and a half or a little
554
00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:37.079
over twelve and a half in the
year two thousand, So clearly we're living
555
00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:43.000
longer, which is resulting in us, you know, having a older work
556
00:40:43.559 --> 00:40:46.440
workforce. But you know, for
me, I really, I know it's
557
00:40:46.440 --> 00:40:52.320
gonna sound really funny. I really
love older folks in the workplace. I
558
00:40:52.360 --> 00:40:55.840
love the uh, I love the
diversity that they bring. You know,
559
00:40:55.880 --> 00:41:00.559
I know what the challenges what people
say the challenges are that you know,
560
00:41:00.559 --> 00:41:05.920
there's there's companies. I think people, you know, they talk about Google
561
00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:13.239
really discriminating and hiring younger folks.
I kind of tend to think that it's
562
00:41:13.320 --> 00:41:15.679
kind of perspective and it's kind of
sometimes uh, you know, it's kind
563
00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:19.599
of something that kind of comes to
them because they think of it that way.
564
00:41:19.679 --> 00:41:24.440
I think we just have to continue
to develop and update ourselves as much
565
00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:30.400
as possible and you know, provide
ourselves, make ourselves efficient in the workforce.
566
00:41:30.480 --> 00:41:32.840
And I think there's advantages to being
older, and I think older folks
567
00:41:32.920 --> 00:41:38.880
really have to just be aggressive about
being forward about those advantages of, you
568
00:41:38.920 --> 00:41:43.760
know, of being older. I
think Tasha and the article sheet jokes around
569
00:41:43.800 --> 00:41:45.639
that, you know, nobody nobody
gets tired right out of school to be
570
00:41:45.679 --> 00:41:50.800
a CEO. It's always going to
be somebody that has the experience under their
571
00:41:50.840 --> 00:41:53.880
belt. So yes, I think
it's happening. But I think I think
572
00:41:53.880 --> 00:42:00.039
it's I think it's uh, you
know something that old folks just have to
573
00:42:00.079 --> 00:42:07.280
continue to learn and overcome. Well, And to that end, you've already
574
00:42:07.480 --> 00:42:12.519
you already mentioned this thing about maybe
staying in the workforce longer. I remember
575
00:42:12.519 --> 00:42:14.920
a few years ago, Max,
I was sitting in a leadership workshop,
576
00:42:14.960 --> 00:42:19.119
myself on the receiving end versus giving
it, and the woman that was speaking
577
00:42:19.159 --> 00:42:22.400
was a futurist, and she said, if you in the room, and
578
00:42:22.400 --> 00:42:25.239
there were most of us were women, are fifty years old and in pretty
579
00:42:25.239 --> 00:42:28.840
good shape, there's a pretty good
chance you'll make it too close to your
580
00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:31.039
hundred years of age. And immediately
had two thoughts, Great, I've got
581
00:42:31.039 --> 00:42:36.719
more time to go after my goals
fantastic and work longer and make my contribution.
582
00:42:37.199 --> 00:42:38.920
And two, oh my gosh,
I better take better care of this
583
00:42:39.039 --> 00:42:44.199
carcass that's going to get me there. Oh no. But but there is
584
00:42:44.239 --> 00:42:47.599
this notion of staying longer in the
workforce just because we'll need more money for
585
00:42:47.800 --> 00:42:51.320
the longer years that we're sticking around, which I think is great. I
586
00:42:51.320 --> 00:42:54.119
mean tomorrow, if I'll just tell
you, I'll be fifty four, and
587
00:42:54.199 --> 00:42:59.880
so i'd love to hear what your
what your thoughts are about what people can
588
00:43:00.079 --> 00:43:04.960
you to continue meaningful work longer in
the work in the workforce. Yeah.
589
00:43:05.079 --> 00:43:08.480
Sure, I actually turned forty four
on Thursday, So happy birthday. Don't
590
00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:12.159
make me think happy birthday too,
I'll do it. No, And likewise,
591
00:43:12.239 --> 00:43:15.400
happy birthday. You know what people
have to do. I think they
592
00:43:15.440 --> 00:43:21.280
just have to keep reinventing themselves.
I think, you know, keep keep
593
00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:25.039
learning. Uh you don't have that
that mentality which I know just kind of
594
00:43:25.079 --> 00:43:30.239
reading up on you and meeting you. Just being a relentless learner, just
595
00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:36.800
continuing to do things you know that
you can, that that interests you and
596
00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:40.199
give you energy. And I think, you know, most folks, at
597
00:43:40.280 --> 00:43:44.679
least the ones that I kind of
a see complaining about not being able to
598
00:43:44.679 --> 00:43:47.199
find work because they're too old,
I kind of also hear of them just
599
00:43:47.400 --> 00:43:52.599
with very low energy and not very
excited about, you know, what they're
600
00:43:52.599 --> 00:43:55.800
doing. And I'm not saying that
as an overarching comment, but I think
601
00:43:55.840 --> 00:44:01.440
just reinventing yourself and in continuing to
learn doing things you've never done before,
602
00:44:02.119 --> 00:44:06.280
meeting people that you've never met before, because that's another thing I think when
603
00:44:06.280 --> 00:44:09.519
people start to age, their network
starts to get smaller. So continuing to
604
00:44:10.800 --> 00:44:15.320
networking, I think for me personally, and I know this isn't necessarily about
605
00:44:15.320 --> 00:44:20.039
me, I'm committed to hiring people
that are a little bit older, but
606
00:44:20.119 --> 00:44:23.599
I really like them. I think
that there's characteristics that they have that that
607
00:44:23.679 --> 00:44:28.519
some of our young folks don't have, and I think it brings diversity.
608
00:44:28.559 --> 00:44:32.039
And I think we can all agree
that diversity is really good, and I
609
00:44:32.079 --> 00:44:37.480
think you you really can do some
amazing things with diversity. And you know,
610
00:44:37.519 --> 00:44:43.000
I look at age is one of
those diversity factors that I think you
611
00:44:43.119 --> 00:44:50.119
have to have in the workplace to
really continue to thrive. Well, that
612
00:44:50.280 --> 00:44:54.039
was That's both inspirational and encouraging for
for anybody who's listening. And I can
613
00:44:54.039 --> 00:44:58.920
tell you to your point about learning
this. The reason I keep doing this
614
00:44:58.960 --> 00:45:01.880
show, Max is every every single
week I'm engaged with a conversation that keeps
615
00:45:01.920 --> 00:45:07.280
me growing, learning, curious,
and meeting new people. To both of
616
00:45:07.360 --> 00:45:09.639
your points, so I appreciate very
much what you said there. That's and
617
00:45:09.679 --> 00:45:13.519
that helps inform how I do my
consulting, how I do my speaking,
618
00:45:13.519 --> 00:45:16.880
how I create and give out my
programs. It's it's there. So that's
619
00:45:16.960 --> 00:45:21.679
encouraging. Thank you for that,
Max, are you alcome? And finally,
620
00:45:21.760 --> 00:45:22.840
the next thing I want you to
want you to speak to if you
621
00:45:22.840 --> 00:45:25.480
can. And I don't know just
how many, how many if we've got
622
00:45:25.559 --> 00:45:30.159
four or five generations in the workforce
now, but is there a difference in
623
00:45:30.199 --> 00:45:35.199
what these generations find meaningful in their
work? You know, I don't know
624
00:45:35.239 --> 00:45:39.199
if there's a difference in what they
find meaningful. But the best kind of
625
00:45:39.239 --> 00:45:45.039
analogy or that somebody told me,
or example that they gave me as they
626
00:45:45.239 --> 00:45:50.000
raise their hand and they raise their
pinky finger and their points per finger,
627
00:45:50.039 --> 00:45:52.599
and they kind of looked at those
four generations and I said, here's the
628
00:45:52.639 --> 00:45:55.360
baby Boomers, which would be kind
of your pointer finger, and then here's
629
00:45:55.400 --> 00:46:00.760
the Millennials and maybe gen Z where
your pinky is. And I think the
630
00:46:00.480 --> 00:46:04.840
key is, you know, kind
of bridging that gap and getting them to
631
00:46:04.840 --> 00:46:08.239
teach each other because I think,
you know, by nature, you know,
632
00:46:08.519 --> 00:46:14.480
the baby Boomers are more of a
knowledge based you know, in general,
633
00:46:14.800 --> 00:46:19.119
they're more knowledge based, and baby
Boomers are in. Younger folks are
634
00:46:19.320 --> 00:46:23.119
excuse me, millennials and gen z
they're they're better learners. So if you
635
00:46:23.159 --> 00:46:27.239
can just kind of bridge them to, you know, teach one another.
636
00:46:28.480 --> 00:46:32.000
You know, for the folks that
have a lot of good knowledge that you
637
00:46:32.039 --> 00:46:37.000
know, they've they've gained over the
years, to really teach the younger folks,
638
00:46:37.039 --> 00:46:42.079
which usually the younger folks that have
better ways to learn, and they
639
00:46:42.239 --> 00:46:45.159
learn a little bit quicker because they've
they've had kind of the Internet at their
640
00:46:45.159 --> 00:46:47.639
finger tests for a little bit longer. But just just making sure that they
641
00:46:49.199 --> 00:46:52.280
learn to collaborate, and I think
that the generations will take care of themselves.
642
00:46:53.679 --> 00:46:57.519
You're reminding me. A couple of
years ago, I did a show
643
00:46:57.679 --> 00:47:00.519
on reverse mentoring, and it was
a very much that idea. It was
644
00:47:00.559 --> 00:47:04.920
the younger folks come in and teach
the older folks how to use technology,
645
00:47:05.199 --> 00:47:07.880
and some of the more seasoned folks
talk to the young people about learning how
646
00:47:08.639 --> 00:47:13.199
politics work, how does culture work, how does leadership work, how does
647
00:47:13.199 --> 00:47:16.920
strategy work? How do relationships get
developed? It's beautiful. It makes so
648
00:47:16.960 --> 00:47:22.480
much sense to me. Absolutely.
I love that too. We're down to
649
00:47:22.519 --> 00:47:24.400
the end of it already. Max. It just evaporates the time, doesn't
650
00:47:24.440 --> 00:47:28.639
it. So I like to give
my guests the last word. And so
651
00:47:28.679 --> 00:47:31.000
you know, this show is listening
to globally, and it's really designed to
652
00:47:31.000 --> 00:47:36.519
help people more meaningfully and productively connect
with their work and find purpose in meaning
653
00:47:36.519 --> 00:47:39.760
it. What would you like to
leave the listeners with today, Well,
654
00:47:39.760 --> 00:47:45.039
there's so much to say, but
I'll kind of keep it somewhat concise.
655
00:47:45.360 --> 00:47:49.239
I think you know, I'll keep
it. I'll keep the common as it
656
00:47:49.280 --> 00:47:53.480
relates to hiring. I mean this
is it might surprise some listeners coming from
657
00:47:53.480 --> 00:48:00.760
somebody that you know runs a search
firm, but in all the work that
658
00:48:00.800 --> 00:48:05.960
we do, what I would like
to remind everybody is hiring is super hard
659
00:48:05.960 --> 00:48:09.159
and it's a muscle that everyone needs
to continually develop. And I think it's
660
00:48:09.239 --> 00:48:14.360
very much it's very much like developing
yourself as a leader. And I think
661
00:48:14.440 --> 00:48:16.719
if it's not the most important,
it's definitely one of the most important things.
662
00:48:16.760 --> 00:48:22.840
But what you can do is just
continue to develop that your hiring process
663
00:48:22.880 --> 00:48:29.360
and develop yourself as a you know, as a forward thinking and trying thinker
664
00:48:29.360 --> 00:48:34.519
and trying new ways and hiring.
I see far too many leaders trying to
665
00:48:34.559 --> 00:48:37.079
outsource their hiring and get it off
their plate, and I think that's the
666
00:48:37.079 --> 00:48:42.360
opposite direction to go. So if
you do outsource it, just make sure
667
00:48:42.400 --> 00:48:46.000
that whoever you outsource it is also
providing you the insight to learn how to
668
00:48:46.079 --> 00:48:50.079
hire better on your own, because
I think at the end of the day,
669
00:48:50.440 --> 00:48:53.199
you have to make that hiring decision, and you have to be well
670
00:48:53.360 --> 00:48:57.599
versed or at least confident enough to
make the right decision when it comes to
671
00:48:57.679 --> 00:49:00.400
hiring your leaders. In particular,
A great way to finish the show,
672
00:49:00.400 --> 00:49:04.039
Max, and thank you again for
taking time out to talk with us.
673
00:49:04.039 --> 00:49:07.559
It's been really terrific to have you
on the show and sharing all of those
674
00:49:07.639 --> 00:49:09.639
years of expertise and just how you
got into the purpose space. So thank
675
00:49:09.679 --> 00:49:13.800
you for coming in and sharing your
heart and soul. Oh it's my pleasure.
676
00:49:13.800 --> 00:49:15.840
Thanks a lot for having of it. You're welcome. If you want
677
00:49:15.840 --> 00:49:19.400
to learn more about Max Hans in
the work he and his team do what
678
00:49:19.480 --> 00:49:22.000
Why Scouts? I visit their websites. It's simply why scouts dot Com.
679
00:49:22.039 --> 00:49:27.480
So the letter Why Scouts dot Com
last week. If you missed the show
680
00:49:27.519 --> 00:49:30.000
live, you can always catch it
be recorded podcast. We were on the
681
00:49:30.360 --> 00:49:35.199
Paul Ratoff. He's certified management consultant
and president of Strategy Development Group. We
682
00:49:35.280 --> 00:49:37.440
talked about how he discovered the need
to address and develop purpose in the workplace
683
00:49:37.559 --> 00:49:42.719
some eighteen years ago, and also
his book Thriving in a New Stakeholder World
684
00:49:42.880 --> 00:49:45.480
Purposes the New competitive Advantage. He's
clearly passionate about the work that he does
685
00:49:45.519 --> 00:49:47.719
and you will see that and hear
it when you listen to his show.
686
00:49:49.440 --> 00:49:51.800
And then next week we'll be on
the air with Nick Craig. He's the
687
00:49:51.840 --> 00:49:55.119
founder and CEO of Core Leadership and
the author of Leading from Purpose, Clarity
688
00:49:55.119 --> 00:49:59.159
and the Confidence to Act when it
matters most. We'll be digging into his
689
00:49:59.159 --> 00:50:01.280
books, which you can take with
some gems to put intermediate practice. See
690
00:50:01.280 --> 00:50:04.280
you then, remember that work is
at least one third of our life,
691
00:50:04.320 --> 00:50:13.239
so let's work on purpose. We
hope you've enjoyed this week's program. Be
692
00:50:13.400 --> 00:50:17.800
sure to tune in to Working on
Purpose featuring your host Alice Cortez each week
693
00:50:17.920 --> 00:50:23.559
on the Voice America Empowerment Channel.
This week, find your life's purpose at work
1
00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:09.039
There are some people that make their
work just another thing they have to do,
2
00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:12.640
and there are those that make their
work something that they want to do.
3
00:00:13.359 --> 00:00:18.879
Welcome to Working on Purpose with your
host Elise Cortez. In our program,
4
00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:23.679
we provide guidance and inspiration from those
people who have found deeper meaning and
5
00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:28.879
personal connection to their work life.
It's beyond nine to five. It's working
6
00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:39.320
on Purpose. Now Here is your
host, Elise Cortez. Welcome back to
7
00:00:39.359 --> 00:00:42.039
Working on Purpose Show. Thanks for
tuning in again this week. I'm your
8
00:00:42.039 --> 00:00:45.200
host, Elise Cortez, joining you
live from Dallas, Texas, which is
9
00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:47.960
home base for me. If you've
been tuning in for a while, you
10
00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:51.560
know this program is all about how
people create more meaningful and productive personal and
11
00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:56.719
work lives, and equipping leaders inside
organizations to cultivate meaning and purpose and elicits
12
00:00:56.759 --> 00:01:00.679
passion inspired contribution, innovation and persevering
formans. I talk with my guest to
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00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:06.319
draw on their expertise and share my
own experience consulting, speaking and developing workforces
14
00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:08.120
across the globe. Every week.
In these conversations, I hope you walk
15
00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:11.079
away with something you can immediately put
to use in your life and that you
16
00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:15.680
come alive with a possibility of living
with passion, working on purpose, and
17
00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:19.840
are inspired to discover for yourself just
how big and fulfilling your life, work
18
00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:23.799
and leadership can be. And if
you do catch fire from anything you hear,
19
00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:26.920
reach out and tell me about it. Email me at Elise at Elise
20
00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:30.359
Cortez dot com or use the contact
me feature on my website to message me.
21
00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:34.599
Tell me how I can help.
Whether you want to join the distribution
22
00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:38.200
list to stay informed of these radio
show topics, you want to see about
23
00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:42.519
joining a catch fire online inspiration,
accountability or a mastermind community. You want
24
00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:46.959
information on my purpose driven leadership programs
for individuals or companies, or you want
25
00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:49.280
to see about having me speak for
your company or conference and an your rate.
26
00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:53.319
I'm glad we're connected and thanks for
listening. Now onto this week's program
27
00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:57.280
with us this week is Max Hanson. He's the CEO and co founder of
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y Scouts, the first ever based
executive search firm. We'll be talking about
29
00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:06.280
how he entered the purpose movement and
why he thinks it's critical to business success
30
00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:09.000
today. The approached he in his
team at white Scouts takes to join with
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00:02:09.080 --> 00:02:13.639
their with their client companies and candidates, and where he sees the future of
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00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:16.680
the workforce. He joins us today
from Phoenix, Arizona. Max, Welcome
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to Working on Purpose. Oh thanks, Eliza, it's great to be on
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00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:24.479
your show. Well. I always
like to tell our listeners where it is
35
00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:29.520
that I find my guests, and
so here I was minding my very own
36
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business, Max, when I smacked
up in next to you at a Purpose
37
00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:39.120
conference that you helped sponsor in Phoenix, Arizona last October, and I just
38
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want to I want to just give
a shout out to you supporting a conference
39
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like that, that's just amazing.
It was a phenomenal experience. And we'll
40
00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:52.240
also shout out Imperative and Aaron Hurston
team who put on the conference. Pretty
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phenomenal. Yeah, oh yeah,
I agree. I was really honored to
42
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be a part of it, and
I was really really proud of Imperative to
43
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take the first step and put on
a conference like that for the first time.
44
00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:07.439
So it was just great to be
a part of it. And it
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really felt like, I will say, our tribe because I know that you
46
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think similarly to me, So it
was wonderful to be a partment of that
47
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conference. Well, I'll tell you
a little secret that nobody else will know,
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including anybody who might be listening.
I actually had it on my program
49
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my calendar to host my own first
ever purpose conference of some sort. The
50
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week after that, Aaron Hurston team
had had theirs on. And once I
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found out about Aaron's I'm like,
heck, I'm going to just join this
52
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bandwagon. This sounds really amazing and
I'm glad I did so. I was
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on my radar too. There's something
something in the water here, Max,
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Well, we're glad. We're glad
you did as well. Les. Yeah,
55
00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:49.840
well, thank you, thank you. I love meeting your team,
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And shout out to Priscilla by the
way for her help and help and getting
57
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you on the show. Thank you, Priscilla. So let's talk about you
58
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in this amazing career, and we
do have a little something in common.
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And then I started my human capital
career twenty years ago in recruiting. But
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you've made a career out of helping
companies find key talent they need to drive
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and grow their businesses. But you'd
say that somewhere in twenty eleven you began
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to notice that traditional contingent hiring model
wasn't allowing you to help your organizations solve
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the deeper witted issues they were facing
in their hiring practices. And then as
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a recruiting leader, with decades of
all those experiences, I'd like to understand,
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what did you see? What did
you notice? Well, I'd like
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to say it was linear that I
was in the recruiting business and helping companies
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hire people, and just one day
I woke up and said I wanted to
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align people on purpose, you know, in the workplace. But it wasn't
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It wasn't quite that linear. Were
tidy, I suppose or tity? Right?
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We had? In January two thousand
and two, I started my first
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company called job Brokers, which is
kind of ironic because the word job and
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the word brokers, you know,
ten years later both were kind considered four
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letter words in a way. So
we rebranded to a company called True Path,
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and both those companies were still around
today. I sold my interest in
75
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those companies and took one hundred percent
of the shares to White Scouts. But
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how we ended up with why Scouts
is we did. When I first started
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in the recruiting business, I started
at Narotech, which is a most people
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probably know who Aerotech is their owned
by the Allegious Group, and they taught
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me a lot. I was really
honored to start there and see how a
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company with very sophisticated processes and uh
you know had been built and how they
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were training their folks. So I
started there and then I moved on to
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a smaller company based out of Tempee, and it really made me realize how
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much I learned from Aarotech. So
by the time I started my own company,
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I really had the experience of a
really sophisticated, scaled company to over
85
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three hundred and fifty os when I
left to a to When I quit,
86
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I went to a single office that
was, you know, pretty much the
87
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opposite of that. So I kind
of saw the best of both worlds.
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I saw very entrepreneurial company in the
company that I moved to, and then
89
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where I came from was obviously a
well well structured companies. So we set
90
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out and we did a lot of
contract to hire, which a lot of
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uh you know, firms do,
and I'm not here to bad talk contract
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to hire by any means, but
once we had done that for calling about
93
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ten years we had we had hired. I'm just going to guess probably twenty
94
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five thousand people at that point,
and I started to kind of lose my
95
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interest in the contract to higher model. I think we were effective in helping
96
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some companies, and I won't name
some of the bigger companies because I don't
97
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think it's relevant. But what I
started to see as I started to see
98
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it was kind of a revolving door
and we're really refilling the same roles over
99
00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:12.360
and over, and it was beneficial
for companies, but it became it became
100
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more I didn't see it as I
didn't see it as meaningful. I saw
101
00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:21.680
it as sometimes that we were maybe
even kind of kicking the can down the
102
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road and perpetuating the problem of of
really addressing the root of the hiring challenges
103
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with our client companies. So at
about two thousand and eleven, I started
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it kind of asked myself, you
know, what do I really It's just
105
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what I want to do for the
rest of my life. And to be
106
00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:44.680
honest when I say it wasn't linear, I really felt like I kind of
107
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lost my way, and I'd say, you know, kind kind of figured
108
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out that I didn't know what my
purpose was. And it took me a
109
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little soul searching to find it at
that point. And ironically, at that
110
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point in twenty eleven, I was
making and well into the Seven Figures and
111
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everything in theory should have been great, but there was something missing and it
112
00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:11.079
took me a It took me a
while to figure that out. And there
113
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was actually one There was one kind
of conversation I had with my son,
114
00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:20.600
who's almost fourteen years old now,
so he was of my mass right.
115
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He was about four years old at
the time. Him and my nephew walked
116
00:08:24.279 --> 00:08:28.240
up to me and they asked me
what I did, what I did for
117
00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:31.200
work? And these are you know, four and a five year old asked
118
00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:35.799
me this. But I had been
kind of wrestling with it whether this is
119
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something that I want to do,
and whether it's something that's really solving,
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you know, really deep rooted problems. And I was already kind of in
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question about it. So when they
asked me what I did, I told
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them proudly that I get people jobs
and I find people work and they kind
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of shook me off and they said, no, what is it that you
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really do? And I was kind
of confused with their question, and I
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thought about it. They wanted to
know what I actually did. So what
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I actually did is I just met
people and talk with them on the phone
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and met them in person, and
they looked at me and they said,
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that's all you do, and they
ran off and laughed. And that was
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kind of the uh, you know, kind of the straw that broke the
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camel's back and made me really start
searching for applying what I had learned and
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making, you know, figuring out
how to use it and make it a
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lot more meaningful. Oh my gosh, Max, A couple of things.
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That's so great when I really appreciate
where you come from, and I myself
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will also fit into that bucket of
getting to a place where you're going really
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is all there is and there must
be more. That is part of I
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think from has been also my launch
to look for and discover my purpose.
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So I really appreciate it. We
maybe have to get there sometimes to be
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able to be motivated to go looking
for it. Wow, that's thank you
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for sharing on that level. First, the second thing I want to I
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want to just sort of bring up
to what I heard you hint at.
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And I've been wondered about this too, having come from them from the recruiting
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space. I do find it perplexing
how much money companies can spend on search
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when they would be better served to
find a way, I think sometimes to
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make the employees that they have want
to stay. And that might be through
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helping them discover and align their purpose
through the organization, or it might be,
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you know, just better leadership and
management. But I've really been amazed.
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I mean, really it's a real
pain point. But it sounds like
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you started to notice something similar.
Yeah, you know, and even before
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that, at least, I think
one of the first things that really drove
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Brian Moore and I'd come up with
what at the time was the first ever
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purpose based leadership recruiting model or first
purpose based recruiting model. What we really
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saw was, and I know this
maybe it sound a little brass, but
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we saw people that were flat out
lying in interviews, and then we saw
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companies and hiring managers, which I
kind of bucketed ourselves in that bucket as
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we were kind of setting people up
to light in interviews. I mean,
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we were basically posting jobs, people
were rewriting their resumes, we were using
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you know, computers, the keyword
match, and then we were basically taking,
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you know, the best matches,
and we were starting with those and
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so that drive that drove us kind
of crazy that we were that we were
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doing this. To me, it
wasn't so much that I was blaming the
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interviewees that they were lying. I
looked at it like, hey, we're
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stewards of the interview process and we're
setting up a process that doesn't work in
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bating people in to lie on interviews. So, even backing up a little
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bit further, I think that's the
thing that drove us crazy. So the
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first thing we did when we started
Wi Scouts, and this is still what
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we do today, is we don't
believe in posting jobs. And it's not
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that we think that people that do
they're bad people that hire us, they
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just don't hire us to post their
jobs. And we'll get into too why
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that is, but the main reason
is we like authenticity and we believe the
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best way to get authenticity is to
ask somebody and interview somebody before they know
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the specifics about the job and the
role. So the first kind of tenet
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of starting White Scouts, and the
first thing that we toyed around with in
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reinventing the hiring process was not posting
jobs and doing going through a covert discovery
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process, which I'm sure we'll talk
more about. But yeah, so sorry,
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I skipped that kind of in my
first answer, and I wanted to
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make sure to share that with you
and thank you for that teaser, Max,
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because you're right after we get into
the second segment. That's really what
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I want to focus that segment on
is just really how you distinguish your approach
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now at White Scouts. But before
we get into that, because that will
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be after the break, I want
to understand. I mean, you can't
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really turn anywhere today, Max,
I don't think without discovering the word purpose
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somewhere. I mean, I've seen
you know, purpose, purpose food,
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purpose breakfast, purpose tires. You
know, it's everywhere. So what do
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you think is going on in the
world that is so contributing to this whole
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purpose movement? You know? I
think I think everybody, uh you know,
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if you look at it kind of
worldwide or globally, I think everybody
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is so much more connected through technology
and just the globalization of business on so
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many levels. I think, uh, you know, people can now really
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associate themselves with you know, people
all over the world that are feeling the
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same things, going through the same
tragic events, you know. So I
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think that there's you know, there's
there's there's that where people are just able
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to really associate themselves, uh,
you know, on on a global level.
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And then we've always talked about when
we started White Scoutson and this is
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just kind of coming now to me, But when we started to talk about
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White Purpose matters, when we started
White Scouts and called twenty eleven twelve,
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we always said it was because of
three main things that we saw at the
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time. And we said the first
one was when night nine to eleven.
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So when I when nine to eleven
happened, I think everybody it took everybody
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back, at least in the US, but I think, you know,
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most of the world was paying attention
to nine eleven, but it you know,
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the funny part is is the younger
generations now, they are too young
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sometimes to remember where they were where
nine to eleven was. So that makes
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me feel really ill. But from
a you know, from when we look
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back, we looked at nine to
eleven is a big event where it really
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caught everybody, you know, off
guard, and it made them think,
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wow, anything this could end at
any moment, and we need to make
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the most of it, and we
need to make sure we maximize and really
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enjoy our time outside of work and
inside of work. And then I think
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the crash of two thousand and eight
was another big event that really helped people,
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uh, you know, especially especially
folks that were kids of parents who
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had basically worked their entire lives.
And I don't want to exaggerate too much,
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but a lot of them worked watch
their parents miserable in a job,
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working you know, eight to five
or more hours, and then they saved
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up all their money, and then
that one single day they lost a good
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portion of their savings or their life
savings. And then the last piece that
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kind of covers and circles back to
your question is technology in the internet.
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I think, you know, those
three combined, and really in that time
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when we started White Scouts, we
started to identify that those three things were
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really driving people to really yearn for
purpose more than ever. That was so
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crisp, and I completely agree with
this assessment. I've done enough research,
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including the stuff that are in Hearst
puts out, which I think is brilliant,
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and I've come to a very similar
conclusions, but that was extremely Chris
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for our listeners. And on that
note, Max, let's grab our first
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break. I'm your host, Elisa
Cortez. We've were on the air with
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Max Hanson, who is the CEO
and co founder of White Scouts, the
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first ever purpose based executive search for
him. He's unched today from Phoenix,
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Arizona. We've been talking a bit
about how it was that he found him
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so thrust into the purpose movement.
After the break, Bruna talk about his
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model and what he sees people really
crave and want in the work lives today.
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Stay with us, We'll be right
back. Alise Cortez is a speaker
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and engagement and development catalyst. She
designs and delivers professional development, leadership and
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engagement workshops and can bring her expertise
to your organization. She will help ignite
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meaningful development within your workforce that will
increase employee engagement, performance and retention.
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To learn more or to invite a
last to speak to your organization, please
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00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:52.200
visit her at www dot Elise Cortez
dot com. She would welcome the opportunity
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to help get your employees working on
purpose. This is working on purpose with
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00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:10.200
Elise Cortez to reach our program today, send an email to Elise ali se
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at Elise Cortez dot com. Now
back to working on purpose. Thanks for
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00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:22.880
staying with us, and welcome back
to working on purpose if you're just joining
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us. My guest is Max Hanson. He's the CEO and co founder of
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why Scouts. His desire to help
organizations with the root of their challenges in
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hiring, along with the lack of
meaning in his own work, pushed him
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to create his first ever purpose based
leadership search firm. In twenty fifteen,
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he sold all his interest in three
traditional recruiting companies to more aggressively pursue building
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Why Scouts and purpose Based Leadership Search. I'm your host, Elise Cortez.
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So Max, so much great information
coming from you, and I really think
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that you've got a unique vantage point
to the world of talent. And I
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once upon a time had a similar
kind of role when I was in recruiting,
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and that we get to drink deeply
at the wealth of people's innermost connection
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to go work when we when we're
in the recruiting role, and they let
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usten to every sacred place into our
into their lives. So I want to
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understand what is it that you think
you've learned from people about? What do
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they crave in work today? What
are they looking for? Well, you
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know, and kind of listening to
some of your stuff as well. I
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think you're gonna really relate to this. But I you know, I think
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people now more than ever, they
crave being part of something bigger than themselves
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at all levels. I mean,
I think we used to see that more,
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you know, in the leadership level
years ago, but I think it's
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in a good way become table stakes. I think we always have historically talked
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about uh, you know, when
we grew up. The question used to
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be, you know, what do
you what do you want to do when
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you grow up? And I think
the more appropriate question now is we've talked
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about this h since we started WI
Scouts, But the more appropriate question now
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is what do you want to be
a part of? And I think that
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resonates with people they really want to
uh you know, not only feel apart
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and feel welcome at home where they
where they work, feel included. And
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then they also I think, you
know, we see people when they're able
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to contribute towards you know, a
company's purpose or cause or you know,
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efficiencies or production in a way that
utilizes their strengths. I think, you
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know, those things are are very
important, and that's you know, kind
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of the we're still seeing that trend
so are gone or the days max when
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people used to say, well,
let's see what skills can I go out
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there and learn so I can make
the biggest paycheck? Or is that still
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out there? Oh? I don't
think it's completely gone. I think,
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you know, people people just look
at it a little bit different. I
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don't think they I believe that there
are some people that still you know,
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kind of work for a paycheck and
exchange time for my and in some cases,
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you know, that's that's the way
they'll they might remain. My hope
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is that they don't, that they
you know, wake up and they see
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that there's a better way and they
can actually enjoy themselves and not look at
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it as a kind of a meaningless
exchange. But I don't think it's completely
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gone. I think the what what
I what I have seen since we started
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why Scouts is we focus. When
we first started the company, we were
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really dead set on not specializing in
any industry because we didn't see any one
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industry uh, that was concentrated with
purpose and values driven companies, you know,
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and I think there's a lot of
research from Imperative that supports that.
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So, you know, we we
really uh stayed disciplined and didn't specialize,
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and I think that's changed. So
I think that's that that it's kind of
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more table stakes to provide a more
meaningful workplace, which is really nice to
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see. I think that's kind of
the we give credit to the purpose movement
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and everybody a part of it that
has really raised the bar for really all
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companies to you know, just to
provide a more meaningful workplace where they are
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developing, you know, all the
folks that are working for them, both
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personally and professionally. Very interesting observations. I have to agree with you absolutely
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on all that. It's always great
to hear somebody's perspective, though that's so
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deeply in the trench as you are, Max. And then the other side
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of that, the question that I
wanted to find out was you make mention.
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I forget where I saw this,
it was on your website or what,
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but you talk about your observation that
we today were so deeply entrenched in
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the techeological world and yet there seems
to be such an increasing demand for strong
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leaders and talent. And so what
I was wondering is if you've seen and
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maybe you just answered that in your
last statement, if there's any general coalescence
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around what companies are seeking in terms
of leadership, Is there something in particular
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perspect active away a lens. Yeah, you know, I actually think there
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is. I'll say, you know, for companies that have really returned the
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page, and I think that there's
a little variance from company to the company.
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And that variance is if the company
has adopted some sort of leadership model,
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like some way that they are developing
leaders that is unique to their company.
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And so we see that when we
do business with some of our clients
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that have really good cultures, like
they have their own I'll call it a
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leadership model. And then but we
have the way we look at all companies.
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Unless a company asks us specifically to
use a different leadership model, we
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use the White Scouts has developed a
leadership model with a neuroscientist about five years
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ago. And so where I think
all companies where they don't vary unless they
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have their own leadership models. I
believe and we believe that one of the
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we look at we look at the
White Scouts leadership model. It has three
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elevated behaviors of for exceptional leadership,
and three elevated behaviors that we see that
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are the same amongst companies or amongst
leaders is are they a relentless learner,
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how they've developed other people, and
how do they drive results? Almost like
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a three legged stool. And I
think I have seen very little variants when
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I look at all of companies.
When I look at leadership, what constitutes
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a good leader? Leaders that can
show proofpoints in those three areas generally can
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lead well in almost any business.
So it's kind of a two part answers.
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So companies that have developed beyond you
know, with their own leadership model,
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I do believe there's variants and companies
that haven't. We apply that leadership
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model and it seems to work amongst
all the companies who work with That's so
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yummy. I love that, Max. Love that something again that that our
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listeners can just immediately take away and
start to consider for their own companies have
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so great. Okay, I want
to talk about White Scouts right now.
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This is the this is where we
get to really talk about your unique approach
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to the marketplace. And let's start
with the name why Scouts. I love
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it, Max, It's so it's
so smart, it's so clever. So
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the letter why and then Scouts.
I'm going to make a big assumption,
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but before I do, tell us
how the name came up. Yeah,
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it's actually pretty interesting. Once Bran
and I realized what we were creating,
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we obviously wanted the name and the
branding to reflect, you know, what
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we're building as much as possible,
And obviously say, the letter why stands
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for you know what people ask themselves
when they really are trying to find their
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purpose and really figure out what it
is they were, you know, kind
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of put on earth to do,
And so it stands for for the you
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know, kind of world why.
And then if you look at the letter
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why, it's a fork in the
road, and we believe that at least
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historically. I think maybe it's more
normal now, but there was a point
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in time, and there's probably a
point in time for a lot of people
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were they have to make a decision
on which way they're going to go,
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are they're going to go down and
kind of follow the direction that you know,
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they had been going just because that's
what they've done. Are they going
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to take the you know, they're
going to take the turn to something that
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you know has been that's driving them, or they have more purpose and meaning
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for and then you know, the
words scouts. It was interesting. We
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actually took we took our ten where
we believe our biggest competitor back then and
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that's probably changed a little bit,
but we took their websites. We made
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a word cloud out of their websites, and the words scouts was not in
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any of their websites anywhere. And
I'm kind of a sports guy and I
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think most people can relate to what
a scout does in sports. So we
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really liked, uh, you know
why in the different various meetings for why.
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The other thing is that you're familiar
with you know, X theory and
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Y theory. It's that was kind
of part of it as well. We
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thought that fit just perfect X theory
as people will only work for the exchange
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of money and pay, and then
why theory. Obviously people are looking for
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much more meeting in their work,
so it had various meetings. It made
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a lot of sense, and you
know, we've been kind of proud of
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the name, and it's uh,
you know, it's it's been good.
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You've we've enjoyed the name and meaning
and I appreciate you asking about it.
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Well, that was a far richer
response. I only got the why as
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in the y h y, the
why question part of it and the scout
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part. All the rest I didn't
get. I loved how you filled that
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in, Max, And there's so
much in a name, especially for what
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you're up to, and I love
how you've taken such thought to create a
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meaningful name that stands for what you're
up to. It's great. Oh,
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thank you. Yeah. Yeah,
Well, let's talk about another lofty thing
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00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:55.000
about show that I already loved.
It's smacked right across the home page of
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your website, but it says that
you're out to connect ten million people to
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work that matters. I think that
is off the charts wonderful. I like
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it. So where did that come
from? Ten million people? It's a
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00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:11.759
great question, and it was a
big step and a big transition. You
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know, since we started out doing
leadership search, you know, one can
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obviously assume that we're not going ever
get to ten million people, likely with
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just doing leadership search as a professional
service. So when we came up with
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00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:33.240
that, it was probably three or
four years ago. That was really committing
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00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:37.839
to just making as big impact as
possible and doing it in a way that's
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more than just professional services. So
what we do is we have a process
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that we continually prove out, we
continue to continue to evolve it, but
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we want to productize it. We
want to We're about to publish a book
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called Hiring on Purpose, so we
want to touch as many lives as we
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00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:59.680
can. We want to share how
we do what we do, and really
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00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:03.480
we're we have our our goal set
on ten million because we know the only
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00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:08.720
way to get there is through products
and books and other ways to really educate
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people and teach them a better way
of hiring and aligning people on purpose.
390
00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:18.440
No, I am oh, I'm
going to screen this from the rooftops.
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00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:22.119
Max, this is great. Happy
to share this anywhere I can. Well,
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00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:23.160
I want to talk a little bit
about that. I know we can't
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00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:26.759
really go into a whole lot of
detail just given the time constraints, but
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00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:30.039
shared with us Max, your approach
to working with client companies who want to
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00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:34.279
engage your services, How is the
way that you engage them today? Different
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00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:38.759
than what you did before and the
more traditional contingent search. Yeah. Sure,
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00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:45.640
Well we always talk about in this
will probably lend well to listeners,
398
00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:48.920
so I don't get into much detail
that will lose them. But we talk
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00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:52.440
about our three uniques at wise Scouts
and the three uniques that we have.
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00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:59.039
The first one is our role visioning
exercise, so we are able to take
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00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:06.559
companies through a process. We're individuals
leaders, and then people throughout the organization
402
00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:14.400
they give us information that helps us
define clarity about the role, really define
403
00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:18.319
what success looks like in the role. And then there's a company DNA assessment
404
00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:22.440
which really helps us understand the purpose, the values and the culture of the
405
00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:26.960
organization. So right up front,
and this comes from you know, the
406
00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:30.000
tens of thousands of roles that I
work before. When somebody hands you a
407
00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:36.039
job description, most most of the
time that job description, it doesn't necessarily
408
00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.799
mean it's accurate because you know,
and I'm sure you know this at least
409
00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:42.799
being in the recruiting world. Most
of the time job descriptions are written by
410
00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:48.200
one person in you know, possibly
HR by one person who's really copy and
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00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:51.720
pasting a similar job from another company. And what tends to happen when you
412
00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:55.559
do that as you copy and paste
a bunch of extra things and you pass
413
00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.880
it around and you say, this
is this right, and then you just
414
00:29:56.920 --> 00:30:00.920
add stuff to it. So our
proces us really simplifies that, and really
415
00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:06.359
we always end up with three to
five success outcomes and no more and key
416
00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:11.599
responsibilities with those, and it's through
a collaborative We call it the multi stakeholder
417
00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:15.920
process. So that's kind of the
first differentiator. And then the second one
418
00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:22.559
is that covert search process that I
referred to before. Anytime we reach out
419
00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:29.680
to a potential leader, we don't
ever disclose who the company we're working for,
420
00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:33.319
what the role is. We just
let them know we're retaining exclusive obviously,
421
00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:36.000
we don't have any job postings out, you know, out on the
422
00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:38.799
internet, and we let them know
that the company we're working on the behalf
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00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:45.599
of care so much about the complete
alignment of purpose, values, culture,
424
00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:48.440
and professional competencies that they want to
take. They want us to take them
425
00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:52.720
through a discovery process similarly to the
one that we took them through, and
426
00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:56.680
then we asked the candidate, are
you good with that? And it's absolutely
427
00:30:56.720 --> 00:31:07.079
amazing how people are really pleasantly surprised
that we really care about them first before
428
00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:11.759
we start getting into the professional competencies
piece. And then the last piece is
429
00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:17.160
that that leadership model. We're really
the whole time we're talking to candidates,
430
00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:19.759
and sometimes we sneak some questions in
on the on the front end before they
431
00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:23.279
know who the company in the role
is, but we're really looking to see
432
00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:29.279
how they've set themselves up as a
relentless learner, where their proofpoints are,
433
00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:33.119
how they've developed other people, and
how they've driven results. So I'd say
434
00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:37.640
that combination of those three really kind
of set us apart and differentiate what we
435
00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:41.079
do in the marketplace. Hold launch
to sect, Max, are you telling
436
00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:45.680
me that you're you do not let
yourself get into a situation with your clients
437
00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:49.440
when they take their requisition and you
ask them about all these things and what
438
00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:53.079
they're looking for and then they reply
back, I'll know it when I see
439
00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:56.119
it, Max, just send me
candidates. Yeah, no, we don't
440
00:31:56.240 --> 00:32:00.920
yet. It's amazing, And you
know it's the the most amazing. What
441
00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:02.480
I'm most proud of, and I
think everybody I shouldn't say me, but
442
00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:08.519
our entire team's most proud of is
when our clients tell us what the candidates
443
00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:10.880
they end up hiring, or even
the ones that they don't end up hiring,
444
00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:14.559
we always ask, you know,
what did they think, and they
445
00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:19.720
they just give us accodes that we've
never been approached like that, and that
446
00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:23.519
was the best feeling. Because most
people are just thrown job descriptions and just
447
00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:27.039
saying hey, or you enter,
you out, you know, we call
448
00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:29.440
and actually ask, you know,
what do you most care about and tell
449
00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:32.160
them that we want to take them
through a discovery process before we spend time
450
00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:36.880
talking about the specifics of the job. So we spend thirty minutes on the
451
00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:39.119
front and just getting to know them
and really asking the open ended questions and
452
00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:45.319
letting them really dictate what they want
to talk about, what work they really
453
00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:47.960
they're good at, what work they
like to do, what work they don't
454
00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:52.680
like to do. So it's pretty
amazing. It's when we first started,
455
00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:55.440
it was a little awkward. People
didn't know what to do. They didn't
456
00:32:58.000 --> 00:33:01.119
they were a little shocked by it. Now people respond really really well,
457
00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:06.440
especially very talented people that get hit
by recruiters all the time. When they're
458
00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:10.160
hit with this different, differentiated approach, they really they really enjoy it,
459
00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:15.720
and they really they really get sucked
in through it. I really get how
460
00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:19.279
that would then stop the whole process
of just speaking to him and Cannada's just
461
00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:22.279
speak to whatever their requisition says they
have to do, and more to where's
462
00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:25.400
their heartworks or soul. I so
get that, Max, It's brilliant.
463
00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:30.400
Yeah. Yeah. We once had
a gentleman, just kind of remembering this
464
00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:35.160
off the top of our head,
but we were working on a role for
465
00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:38.799
a very high end drug treatment center. It was a CEO role, if
466
00:33:38.839 --> 00:33:43.960
I remember right. And so during
the covert process, we asked one of
467
00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:47.359
the questions. There's there's a we
have a whole discovery library of questions,
468
00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:52.039
and we asked the you know,
if you could do anything. One of
469
00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:55.640
the questions was if you could do
anything regardless of the pay, or if
470
00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:59.240
you could do anything and make the
same pay that you're making now, but
471
00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:01.480
do anything, what would you do? And this gentleman, as we were
472
00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:06.440
working for this drug treatment center,
said he would love to run a drug
473
00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:12.760
treatment center because his brother got addicted
to drugs after a baseball injury, and
474
00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:16.199
and basically, you know, he
lost his brother to drug addiction and so
475
00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:20.199
I was part of I was training
a person during this. This was years
476
00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:22.559
ago, and I was My eyes
were just wide open. It couldn't believe
477
00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:27.960
that, you know, it was
that direct of a hit on what his
478
00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:30.599
kind of true purpose in life is. So so that's a you know,
479
00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:35.119
it's a fun story to tell.
Oh, I'm usually things don't align that
480
00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:37.239
perfect, but it really gives you
a flavor of what it's all about.
481
00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:43.840
Talk about meaningful connection, something we
all crave. And with that, Max,
482
00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:46.000
let's take our last short break.
I'm Elise Cortez, your host Women
483
00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:49.599
in the Air with Max Hanson,
who is the CEO and co founder of
484
00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:52.760
White Scouts, the first ever purpose
based executive search firm. He joined today
485
00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:57.000
from Phoenix, Arizona. We've been
talking a bit about how he works with
486
00:34:57.039 --> 00:35:00.519
clients and the unique things he's been
seeing in a marketplace in leadership. After
487
00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:02.199
the week, we're going to talk
about the future of the workforce. Stay
488
00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:27.119
with us, we'll be right back. Alise Cortez is a speaker and engagement
489
00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:32.119
and development catalyst. She designs and
delivers professional development, leadership and engagement workshops
490
00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:37.960
and can bring her expertise to your
organization. She will help ignite meaningful development
491
00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:43.119
within your workforce that will increase employee
engagement, performance and retention. To learn
492
00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:46.000
more or to invite Elise to speak
to your organization, please visit her at
493
00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:52.519
www dot Elise Cortez dot com.
She would welcome the opportunity to help get
494
00:35:52.559 --> 00:36:02.920
your employees working on purpose. This
is working on Purpose with Elise Cortez.
495
00:36:04.400 --> 00:36:08.920
To reach our program today, send
an email to Elise ali Se at Elise
496
00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:27.000
Cortez dot com. Now back to
working on purpose. Thanks for staying with
497
00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:29.920
us, and welcome back to working
on purpose. If you're just tuning in.
498
00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:31.760
My guest is Max Hanson. He's
the CEO and co founder of why
499
00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:36.840
Scouts. His desire to help organizations
with the rid of their problems in hiring,
500
00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:38.519
along with the lack of meaning in
his own work, push him to
501
00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:44.119
create this first ever purpose based leadership
search firm, and in twenty fifteen he
502
00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:47.199
sold all his interest in three traditional
recruiting companies to more aggressively pursue building Why
503
00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:52.119
Scouts and purpose based leadership search.
I'm your host, Elise Cortez, so
504
00:36:52.199 --> 00:36:55.000
Max, for this last segment here, I really thought it would be interesting
505
00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:59.719
to pick your brain on the future
of the workforce. Again, you're in
506
00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:02.280
a very unique vantage point having been
in a space for more than a couple
507
00:37:02.280 --> 00:37:07.599
of decades, and I think you
your your your strategic thinker. So where
508
00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:10.719
do you think the world of work
is headed? What will companies need to
509
00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:15.320
do to find and retain that core
talent? You know, I think where
510
00:37:15.320 --> 00:37:22.000
the where things are headed? You
know, obviously our different jobs will change.
511
00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:25.119
I think there'll be new, uh, newly created jobs, I think
512
00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:30.360
for companies. And this is kind
of why our model is the way it
513
00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:34.199
is with that role visioning, uh, you know kind of exercise on the
514
00:37:34.199 --> 00:37:37.760
front end is I think companies are
going to have to, uh, they're
515
00:37:37.800 --> 00:37:40.400
going to have to know how to
define those new roles. They're going to
516
00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:45.679
have to know how to define roles
that don't even exist right now in order
517
00:37:45.719 --> 00:37:51.119
to take take advantage of opportunities that
don't exist currently in the marketplace. So,
518
00:37:52.199 --> 00:37:55.199
and I read a lot about you
know, you know, technology and
519
00:37:57.119 --> 00:38:00.559
automation taken over you know job.
Do I think that will happen? Yes,
520
00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:04.239
I think that will happen. I
think it's been happening. I think
521
00:38:05.239 --> 00:38:10.880
the companies that adapt best to it
are going to win and so so I
522
00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:16.400
pay a close attention to it fascinates
me. You know, we see a
523
00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:22.199
lot of new titles, uh you
know, I mean now from chief innovation
524
00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:27.320
officers to you know, more forward
thinking uh, you know titles. But
525
00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:31.079
I think I think what people have
to from our advantage point is companys just
526
00:38:31.199 --> 00:38:35.639
have to know how to define those
roles and keep going with the paunches and
527
00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:39.599
adapt. Okay, so that means
we can't go on autopilot anymore, which
528
00:38:39.639 --> 00:38:44.320
is what I do see a lot
of companies doing in their hiring practice.
529
00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:50.079
That's exactly right. I would say
that would be the opposite direction to go.
530
00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:53.199
If there's one thing that fascinates me. As you know, all this
531
00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:58.320
new technology comes out and AI and
all these new things that you know,
532
00:38:58.360 --> 00:39:02.320
people talk about taking over hiring,
the one thing I still see. I
533
00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:07.639
haven't seen any change. I still
see then, aid to make sure you
534
00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:13.280
hire the best leaders. I actually
see that the demand to hire the best
535
00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:19.280
leaders increasing and not decreasing. So
I think we're safe for a while here.
536
00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:22.119
That's that's great, that's so great. Well, and to that end,
537
00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:24.920
I next thing I wanted to talk
about was this whole notion of the
538
00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:30.000
more mature or experienced person in the
workplace, Max. I mean, I
539
00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:34.639
know, just in my own immediate
network, many many people who are gosh,
540
00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:38.159
probably maybe past the mid fifties,
and when they maybe they've been pushed
541
00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:43.840
out of an organization and it might
take months or longer a year plus to
542
00:39:44.400 --> 00:39:47.239
land another role. And so I
don't know if that's just the company I
543
00:39:47.320 --> 00:39:52.320
keep, Max, And from what
I can read out there and the literature,
544
00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:54.719
it seems like there is more of
this thing where these the older folks,
545
00:39:55.079 --> 00:40:00.280
the more senior folks are getting squeezed
out of the marketplace. You have
546
00:40:00.320 --> 00:40:02.719
a perspective on that, Roney Dad, on that, Yeah, you know,
547
00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:07.559
I do. We actually just wrote
an article on ages and Tasha and
548
00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:10.239
my office did a really nice job
on it. She actually is fifty one
549
00:40:10.280 --> 00:40:15.400
herself, and so she had a
lot of uh you know, just a
550
00:40:15.440 --> 00:40:20.920
lot of fire behind the article.
But I'm a really I'm a really tough
551
00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:24.400
one to talk about it with.
You know. I think if I remember
552
00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:30.960
rights, maybe it's eighteen point eight
percent of people over sixty five are still
553
00:40:30.960 --> 00:40:32.880
working today, versus I think it
was twelve and a half or a little
554
00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:37.079
over twelve and a half in the
year two thousand, So clearly we're living
555
00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:43.000
longer, which is resulting in us, you know, having a older work
556
00:40:43.559 --> 00:40:46.440
workforce. But you know, for
me, I really, I know it's
557
00:40:46.440 --> 00:40:52.320
gonna sound really funny. I really
love older folks in the workplace. I
558
00:40:52.360 --> 00:40:55.840
love the uh, I love the
diversity that they bring. You know,
559
00:40:55.880 --> 00:41:00.559
I know what the challenges what people
say the challenges are that you know,
560
00:41:00.559 --> 00:41:05.920
there's there's companies. I think people, you know, they talk about Google
561
00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:13.239
really discriminating and hiring younger folks.
I kind of tend to think that it's
562
00:41:13.320 --> 00:41:15.679
kind of perspective and it's kind of
sometimes uh, you know, it's kind
563
00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:19.599
of something that kind of comes to
them because they think of it that way.
564
00:41:19.679 --> 00:41:24.440
I think we just have to continue
to develop and update ourselves as much
565
00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:30.400
as possible and you know, provide
ourselves, make ourselves efficient in the workforce.
566
00:41:30.480 --> 00:41:32.840
And I think there's advantages to being
older, and I think older folks
567
00:41:32.920 --> 00:41:38.880
really have to just be aggressive about
being forward about those advantages of, you
568
00:41:38.920 --> 00:41:43.760
know, of being older. I
think Tasha and the article sheet jokes around
569
00:41:43.800 --> 00:41:45.639
that, you know, nobody nobody
gets tired right out of school to be
570
00:41:45.679 --> 00:41:50.800
a CEO. It's always going to
be somebody that has the experience under their
571
00:41:50.840 --> 00:41:53.880
belt. So yes, I think
it's happening. But I think I think
572
00:41:53.880 --> 00:42:00.039
it's I think it's uh, you
know something that old folks just have to
573
00:42:00.079 --> 00:42:07.280
continue to learn and overcome. Well, And to that end, you've already
574
00:42:07.480 --> 00:42:12.519
you already mentioned this thing about maybe
staying in the workforce longer. I remember
575
00:42:12.519 --> 00:42:14.920
a few years ago, Max,
I was sitting in a leadership workshop,
576
00:42:14.960 --> 00:42:19.119
myself on the receiving end versus giving
it, and the woman that was speaking
577
00:42:19.159 --> 00:42:22.400
was a futurist, and she said, if you in the room, and
578
00:42:22.400 --> 00:42:25.239
there were most of us were women, are fifty years old and in pretty
579
00:42:25.239 --> 00:42:28.840
good shape, there's a pretty good
chance you'll make it too close to your
580
00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:31.039
hundred years of age. And immediately
had two thoughts, Great, I've got
581
00:42:31.039 --> 00:42:36.719
more time to go after my goals
fantastic and work longer and make my contribution.
582
00:42:37.199 --> 00:42:38.920
And two, oh my gosh,
I better take better care of this
583
00:42:39.039 --> 00:42:44.199
carcass that's going to get me there. Oh no. But but there is
584
00:42:44.239 --> 00:42:47.599
this notion of staying longer in the
workforce just because we'll need more money for
585
00:42:47.800 --> 00:42:51.320
the longer years that we're sticking around, which I think is great. I
586
00:42:51.320 --> 00:42:54.119
mean tomorrow, if I'll just tell
you, I'll be fifty four, and
587
00:42:54.199 --> 00:42:59.880
so i'd love to hear what your
what your thoughts are about what people can
588
00:43:00.079 --> 00:43:04.960
you to continue meaningful work longer in
the work in the workforce. Yeah.
589
00:43:05.079 --> 00:43:08.480
Sure, I actually turned forty four
on Thursday, So happy birthday. Don't
590
00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:12.159
make me think happy birthday too,
I'll do it. No, And likewise,
591
00:43:12.239 --> 00:43:15.400
happy birthday. You know what people
have to do. I think they
592
00:43:15.440 --> 00:43:21.280
just have to keep reinventing themselves.
I think, you know, keep keep
593
00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:25.039
learning. Uh you don't have that
that mentality which I know just kind of
594
00:43:25.079 --> 00:43:30.239
reading up on you and meeting you. Just being a relentless learner, just
595
00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:36.800
continuing to do things you know that
you can, that that interests you and
596
00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:40.199
give you energy. And I think, you know, most folks, at
597
00:43:40.280 --> 00:43:44.679
least the ones that I kind of
a see complaining about not being able to
598
00:43:44.679 --> 00:43:47.199
find work because they're too old,
I kind of also hear of them just
599
00:43:47.400 --> 00:43:52.599
with very low energy and not very
excited about, you know, what they're
600
00:43:52.599 --> 00:43:55.800
doing. And I'm not saying that
as an overarching comment, but I think
601
00:43:55.840 --> 00:44:01.440
just reinventing yourself and in continuing to
learn doing things you've never done before,
602
00:44:02.119 --> 00:44:06.280
meeting people that you've never met before, because that's another thing I think when
603
00:44:06.280 --> 00:44:09.519
people start to age, their network
starts to get smaller. So continuing to
604
00:44:10.800 --> 00:44:15.320
networking, I think for me personally, and I know this isn't necessarily about
605
00:44:15.320 --> 00:44:20.039
me, I'm committed to hiring people
that are a little bit older, but
606
00:44:20.119 --> 00:44:23.599
I really like them. I think
that there's characteristics that they have that that
607
00:44:23.679 --> 00:44:28.519
some of our young folks don't have, and I think it brings diversity.
608
00:44:28.559 --> 00:44:32.039
And I think we can all agree
that diversity is really good, and I
609
00:44:32.079 --> 00:44:37.480
think you you really can do some
amazing things with diversity. And you know,
610
00:44:37.519 --> 00:44:43.000
I look at age is one of
those diversity factors that I think you
611
00:44:43.119 --> 00:44:50.119
have to have in the workplace to
really continue to thrive. Well, that
612
00:44:50.280 --> 00:44:54.039
was That's both inspirational and encouraging for
for anybody who's listening. And I can
613
00:44:54.039 --> 00:44:58.920
tell you to your point about learning
this. The reason I keep doing this
614
00:44:58.960 --> 00:45:01.880
show, Max is every every single
week I'm engaged with a conversation that keeps
615
00:45:01.920 --> 00:45:07.280
me growing, learning, curious,
and meeting new people. To both of
616
00:45:07.360 --> 00:45:09.639
your points, so I appreciate very
much what you said there. That's and
617
00:45:09.679 --> 00:45:13.519
that helps inform how I do my
consulting, how I do my speaking,
618
00:45:13.519 --> 00:45:16.880
how I create and give out my
programs. It's it's there. So that's
619
00:45:16.960 --> 00:45:21.679
encouraging. Thank you for that,
Max, are you alcome? And finally,
620
00:45:21.760 --> 00:45:22.840
the next thing I want you to
want you to speak to if you
621
00:45:22.840 --> 00:45:25.480
can. And I don't know just
how many, how many if we've got
622
00:45:25.559 --> 00:45:30.159
four or five generations in the workforce
now, but is there a difference in
623
00:45:30.199 --> 00:45:35.199
what these generations find meaningful in their
work? You know, I don't know
624
00:45:35.239 --> 00:45:39.199
if there's a difference in what they
find meaningful. But the best kind of
625
00:45:39.239 --> 00:45:45.039
analogy or that somebody told me,
or example that they gave me as they
626
00:45:45.239 --> 00:45:50.000
raise their hand and they raise their
pinky finger and their points per finger,
627
00:45:50.039 --> 00:45:52.599
and they kind of looked at those
four generations and I said, here's the
628
00:45:52.639 --> 00:45:55.360
baby Boomers, which would be kind
of your pointer finger, and then here's
629
00:45:55.400 --> 00:46:00.760
the Millennials and maybe gen Z where
your pinky is. And I think the
630
00:46:00.480 --> 00:46:04.840
key is, you know, kind
of bridging that gap and getting them to
631
00:46:04.840 --> 00:46:08.239
teach each other because I think,
you know, by nature, you know,
632
00:46:08.519 --> 00:46:14.480
the baby Boomers are more of a
knowledge based you know, in general,
633
00:46:14.800 --> 00:46:19.119
they're more knowledge based, and baby
Boomers are in. Younger folks are
634
00:46:19.320 --> 00:46:23.119
excuse me, millennials and gen z
they're they're better learners. So if you
635
00:46:23.159 --> 00:46:27.239
can just kind of bridge them to, you know, teach one another.
636
00:46:28.480 --> 00:46:32.000
You know, for the folks that
have a lot of good knowledge that you
637
00:46:32.039 --> 00:46:37.000
know, they've they've gained over the
years, to really teach the younger folks,
638
00:46:37.039 --> 00:46:42.079
which usually the younger folks that have
better ways to learn, and they
639
00:46:42.239 --> 00:46:45.159
learn a little bit quicker because they've
they've had kind of the Internet at their
640
00:46:45.159 --> 00:46:47.639
finger tests for a little bit longer. But just just making sure that they
641
00:46:49.199 --> 00:46:52.280
learn to collaborate, and I think
that the generations will take care of themselves.
642
00:46:53.679 --> 00:46:57.519
You're reminding me. A couple of
years ago, I did a show
643
00:46:57.679 --> 00:47:00.519
on reverse mentoring, and it was
a very much that idea. It was
644
00:47:00.559 --> 00:47:04.920
the younger folks come in and teach
the older folks how to use technology,
645
00:47:05.199 --> 00:47:07.880
and some of the more seasoned folks
talk to the young people about learning how
646
00:47:08.639 --> 00:47:13.199
politics work, how does culture work, how does leadership work, how does
647
00:47:13.199 --> 00:47:16.920
strategy work? How do relationships get
developed? It's beautiful. It makes so
648
00:47:16.960 --> 00:47:22.480
much sense to me. Absolutely.
I love that too. We're down to
649
00:47:22.519 --> 00:47:24.400
the end of it already. Max. It just evaporates the time, doesn't
650
00:47:24.440 --> 00:47:28.639
it. So I like to give
my guests the last word. And so
651
00:47:28.679 --> 00:47:31.000
you know, this show is listening
to globally, and it's really designed to
652
00:47:31.000 --> 00:47:36.519
help people more meaningfully and productively connect
with their work and find purpose in meaning
653
00:47:36.519 --> 00:47:39.760
it. What would you like to
leave the listeners with today, Well,
654
00:47:39.760 --> 00:47:45.039
there's so much to say, but
I'll kind of keep it somewhat concise.
655
00:47:45.360 --> 00:47:49.239
I think you know, I'll keep
it. I'll keep the common as it
656
00:47:49.280 --> 00:47:53.480
relates to hiring. I mean this
is it might surprise some listeners coming from
657
00:47:53.480 --> 00:48:00.760
somebody that you know runs a search
firm, but in all the work that
658
00:48:00.800 --> 00:48:05.960
we do, what I would like
to remind everybody is hiring is super hard
659
00:48:05.960 --> 00:48:09.159
and it's a muscle that everyone needs
to continually develop. And I think it's
660
00:48:09.239 --> 00:48:14.360
very much it's very much like developing
yourself as a leader. And I think
661
00:48:14.440 --> 00:48:16.719
if it's not the most important,
it's definitely one of the most important things.
662
00:48:16.760 --> 00:48:22.840
But what you can do is just
continue to develop that your hiring process
663
00:48:22.880 --> 00:48:29.360
and develop yourself as a you know, as a forward thinking and trying thinker
664
00:48:29.360 --> 00:48:34.519
and trying new ways and hiring.
I see far too many leaders trying to
665
00:48:34.559 --> 00:48:37.079
outsource their hiring and get it off
their plate, and I think that's the
666
00:48:37.079 --> 00:48:42.360
opposite direction to go. So if
you do outsource it, just make sure
667
00:48:42.400 --> 00:48:46.000
that whoever you outsource it is also
providing you the insight to learn how to
668
00:48:46.079 --> 00:48:50.079
hire better on your own, because
I think at the end of the day,
669
00:48:50.440 --> 00:48:53.199
you have to make that hiring decision, and you have to be well
670
00:48:53.360 --> 00:48:57.599
versed or at least confident enough to
make the right decision when it comes to
671
00:48:57.679 --> 00:49:00.400
hiring your leaders. In particular,
A great way to finish the show,
672
00:49:00.400 --> 00:49:04.039
Max, and thank you again for
taking time out to talk with us.
673
00:49:04.039 --> 00:49:07.559
It's been really terrific to have you
on the show and sharing all of those
674
00:49:07.639 --> 00:49:09.639
years of expertise and just how you
got into the purpose space. So thank
675
00:49:09.679 --> 00:49:13.800
you for coming in and sharing your
heart and soul. Oh it's my pleasure.
676
00:49:13.800 --> 00:49:15.840
Thanks a lot for having of it. You're welcome. If you want
677
00:49:15.840 --> 00:49:19.400
to learn more about Max Hans in
the work he and his team do what
678
00:49:19.480 --> 00:49:22.000
Why Scouts? I visit their websites. It's simply why scouts dot Com.
679
00:49:22.039 --> 00:49:27.480
So the letter Why Scouts dot Com
last week. If you missed the show
680
00:49:27.519 --> 00:49:30.000
live, you can always catch it
be recorded podcast. We were on the
681
00:49:30.360 --> 00:49:35.199
Paul Ratoff. He's certified management consultant
and president of Strategy Development Group. We
682
00:49:35.280 --> 00:49:37.440
talked about how he discovered the need
to address and develop purpose in the workplace
683
00:49:37.559 --> 00:49:42.719
some eighteen years ago, and also
his book Thriving in a New Stakeholder World
684
00:49:42.880 --> 00:49:45.480
Purposes the New competitive Advantage. He's
clearly passionate about the work that he does
685
00:49:45.519 --> 00:49:47.719
and you will see that and hear
it when you listen to his show.
686
00:49:49.440 --> 00:49:51.800
And then next week we'll be on
the air with Nick Craig. He's the
687
00:49:51.840 --> 00:49:55.119
founder and CEO of Core Leadership and
the author of Leading from Purpose, Clarity
688
00:49:55.119 --> 00:49:59.159
and the Confidence to Act when it
matters most. We'll be digging into his
689
00:49:59.159 --> 00:50:01.280
books, which you can take with
some gems to put intermediate practice. See
690
00:50:01.280 --> 00:50:04.280
you then, remember that work is
at least one third of our life,
691
00:50:04.320 --> 00:50:13.239
so let's work on purpose. We
hope you've enjoyed this week's program. Be
692
00:50:13.400 --> 00:50:17.800
sure to tune in to Working on
Purpose featuring your host Alice Cortez each week
693
00:50:17.920 --> 00:50:23.559
on the Voice America Empowerment Channel.
This week, find your life's purpose at work





















































