Inside the Mind of Hiring with Dr. Mickey Fineberg: Business Psychologists Enabling the Selection and Preparation of Great Leaders

I loved the Netflix series Succession. Every time I viewed an episode I had fond memories of my regional, Italian-family-owned supermarket client. I served them for 20 years. The business was started by a produce street vendor (G1) in Norristown, Pa, some 20 miles west of Philadelphia. He eventually opened a superette, a relatively small-sized market in the same town. He had five sons (G2). Each b...

In the summer of 2017, a warehouse and distribution center design/build company came to us with the objective of creating a predictive test program to help them hire successful Project Managers with greater consistency. Project management has been a very important leadership role for various businesses and industries over last 25-plus years. For this construction company, it is clearly a mission c...

I recently tested two women for a Corporate Accounting Manager job for a private equity firm that owns several companies. Both were soundly qualified and made a credible interview impression. However, when I asked each one about their weaknesses and how they deal with them, they both cited experiences of not being taken seriously because of being women, particularly in male dominated industries. O...

Dr. Mickey opens with a bold premise: the President is essentially the CEO of the United States. With that in mind, would he "hire" Donald Trump to run one of his client companies? His answer: “No.” While acknowledging Trump’s charisma, energy, and strategic edge, Mickey finds his leadership style too divisive for the kind of unified culture most businesses need. “Half the...

Dr. Pat shares a red-flag experience where a candidate texted her demanding updates without context or professionalism. “If you’re abrupt with the CEO, how are you going to treat clients?” she asks. It was a deal-breaker. Dr. Mickey reinforces the importance of setting clear expectations for each team member’s role in hiring. He encourages leaders to not only bring people t...

Recently, I had the opportunity to assess a VP of Operations candidate for a media company navigating the complex terrain of AI integration. This wasn’t a routine placement—this was about identifying someone who could lead organization-wide AI implementation while navigating a matrix leadership environment, where influence matters more than formal authority. So how do we determine if so...

From C-suite executives to solo entrepreneurs, no one can ignore its impact. As Dr. Pat pointed out, even top personal development leaders are rebuilding their platforms with AI at the core. So, how do you adapt? How do you evolve? And most importantly, how do you change in a way that is authentic and lasting? Watch https://youtu.be/TvrykAWK4-E

Hiring for leadership isn’t just about resumes or even impressive interviews. It’s about deeply understanding human behavior—and sometimes betting on the potential for transformation. As a psychologist specializing in leadership selection, I’ve spent decades inside the minds of candidates and the decision-makers who hire them. In a recent assessment I conducted, I found mys...

  Every hiring decision is a calculated risk—especially when it comes to roles that demand complex problem-solving, like sales engineers. So how do you really know if a candidate can not only learn the ropes, but also navigate the game once they're in it? In our latest episode of Inside the Mind of Hiring, we dug into what makes thinking skills a make-or-break factor—and how even...

Every hiring decision is a pivotal choice—one that can make or break not just a team, but an entire organization. When it comes to selecting top-tier talent, especially at the executive level, the stakes are higher than ever. The right hire isn't just about ticking off boxes for skills and experience—it's about understanding the whole person: their strengths, blind spots, motivations,...

We’ve got a fascinating—and yes, entertaining—episode to share this week from Inside the Mind of Hiring. If you caught our last episode, you know we’re deep in the process of hiring a Vice President of Operations and AI for a manufacturing company that designs and installs glass façades on commercial buildings across the U.S. This is no ordinary company, and it&rsquo...

In our latest episode of Inside the Mind of Hiring, we tackled a fascinating question: What makes an ideal hiring team for a high-stakes role like Vice President of Operations—especially when the role demands expertise in emerging tech like AI and the leadership chops to drive culture change in a traditional manufacturing company? It’s not just about job specs and résumés...

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how businesses operate. Yet, as organizations race to incorporate AI into their strategic plans, a critical question emerges: who will lead these transformative initiatives? Dr. Mickey Fineberg recently joined Dr. Pat on her show to discuss what it means to select the right executive to helm AI-driven...

Hiring for C-suite positions is one of the most critical decisions a company makes. These executives shape the direction of the business, impact morale, and influence financial performance. Yet, industry statistics reveal that C-suite hiring success rates typically range from just 40% to 60%. That means up to 60% of hires at this level are unsuccessful, leading to major financial losses, productivity...

In today’s fast-paced business environment, hiring the right candidate is more critical than ever. But too often, companies rely on a single decision-maker or gut instincts rather than a structured, team-based approach. In a recent episode of Inside the Mind of Hiring, Dr. Mickey Fineberg and Dr. Pat dove into the power of hiring teams, highlighting their role in ensuring the right fit and ul...

  Hiring the right people is one of the most critical challenges for any business. Traditional hiring methods—interviews, reference checks, and background analysis—provide valuable insights, but they still leave a significant margin for error. In fact, even with these measures, the success rate of hiring the right candidate is often between 40% and 60%. However, when a well-designe...

The job interview is often the defining moment in the hiring process. It is your opportunity to make a strong first impression, communicate your achievements, and demonstrate how you fit within the organization’s culture. Dr. Mickey Fineberg shares valuable insights on how to navigate interviews successfully, from preparation to execution.    Watch here:  https://youtu.be/euJJPaD...

Hiring the right talent is both a science and an art. It’s about more than just finding a qualified candidate—it’s about identifying the perfect match between a person’s skills, motivations, and personality, and the unique needs of a company. In a recent discussion on The Leadership Insider Podcast with host Dr. Pat, renowned expert Dr. Mickey Fineberg shared his insider pers...

In today’s competitive job market, standing out as a candidate is more crucial than ever. While job openings remain plentiful in certain industries, employers have become increasingly selective. Dr. Mickey Fineberg, a trusted expert in career development and organizational dynamics, offers invaluable insights into how job seekers can navigate these challenges and secure the coveted job offer...