Inside the Mind of Hiring with Dr. Mickey Fineberg

I was recently asked to assess a COO for a consumer and business data company. While I typically don’t delve into a candidate’s technical depth, the hiring exec asked me how I might assess the COO’s experience and know-how related to leading AI initiatives. I asked for a little time to think it over and, perhaps, do some research before getting back to him. Between what I know about experientially...

Is USA basketball asleep at the switch, just like the WNBA seemed to be during the All Star game? Team USA  (represented by WNBA players) had a chance to show the world the quality of its team at the FIBA World Cup in Germany. At this juncture, the Us played 3 games against China, Italy, and Chechia. The coach Kara Lawson (coach at Duke) was emphasizing veterans in her starting line-up. While youn...

I’ve had numerous experiences in my career as a business psychologist with multi-generational companies. Not too long ago, I encountered Dan,  a Gen Z, third generation family member who was contributing in a line-leadership job within the fulfillment operation for a regional bricks and mortar retailer who also has a significant on-line business. He currently manages 30 people. He is considered a...

A few of weeks ago we talked about Leaders sabotaging Leaders. Our program revolved around a manufacturing company where a new COO, John, was hired to help the President focus on shaping the business’ future and spend less time with day-to-day operations. The business had just gone through a major space increase, and significant upgrades in equipment and technology to meet customer demand and boos...

As a result of Covid and technology shifts, there are three major changes for executive hiring: 1.      Rise of Hybrid Leadership 2.      Stronger focus on Traits vs Tenure and Experience 3.      Growth in Shorter Term Leadership Models  

This episode is a continuing commentary in our recent series on questionable leadership practices. In some cases, leaders may sleep at the switch so to speak, even when they have a great opportunity to capitalize on strong momentum. A recent example was the WNBA All-Star Week. As many of you know, the arrival of Caitlin Clark in 2024 brought a major increase in fan interest and game attendance, me...

There are plenty of stories on how leadership can sabotage its own leaders. Some of these stories revolve around newly hired leaders who are having difficulty achieving credibility and influence with their new managers, and how a company’s senior execs or owners can make things worse and prompt unnecessary failures. Here is one such story involving yours truly where unintended sabotage will likely...

Blind leaders can create cultures that drive out top performers through bad attitudes and practices, and self-defeating defense mechanisms. They too often compromise trust which is the core factor in engaging people and enabling their talents to flourish and synergize. Blind leaders too often lack the core principles of integrity, accountability and servant leadership we discussed during our last...

  You’re a middle-manager reporting to a senior exec or perhaps a Director. You have four direct reports and several indirect reporting people. And you’ve got your share of peers across the other departments.  

In prior episodes I described “people for all seasons” as the most equipped leaders for 2026 and beyond in a business environment being transformed by AI. In this episode, I’m going to present two AI innovators from different walks of life who merged their unique personal characteristics and skills to develop an AI product that adds key memory utility to current AI platforms.

In our last episode, we discussed the profile of the 2026 Executive as defined by a substantial executive search firm. We didn’t get to the last element of the profile: Purpose Driven Leaders: Those that align business results with a societal purpose: A broader benefit to employees, customers, vendors, communities, and perhaps the environment. As a business psychologist, I do think this leadership...

As a result of Covid and technology shifts, there are three major changes for executive hiring: 1.      Rise of Hybrid Leadership 2.      Stronger focus on Traits vs Tenure and Experience 3.      Growth in Shorter Term Leadership Models  

As a result of Covid and technology shifts, there are three major changes for executive hiring: 1.      Rise of Hybrid Leadership 2.      Stronger focus on Traits vs Tenure and Experience 3.      Growth in Shorter Term Leadership Models  

Do You Think You are Live-Interview-Worthy for the Job of Your Life? Inside the Mind of the Executive Hiring Team!  Getting to the live interview has gotten more challenging for many Manager and Executive applicants. The stack of filters is also higher for managers and executives than individual contributors. But individual professional contributors still have to jump through some hoops to make it...

The hiring team did their job: Ensured qualified candidate sourcing (at least 3); Provided thorough and adept interviews and background reviews; Engaged solid background checks; Incorporated a business psychologist’s perspective; Participated in robust team discussions of candidates individually and comparatively; and made a consensus candidate choice; Yaay!!! Now, the chosen candidate needs to co...

A skills-based organization (SBO) uses a dynamic system, that includes AI, to continuously map and update people’s skill and role requirements.. SBO’s outperform companies that remain focused on job titles because they can achieve better workforce agility, quicker role staffing, faster redeployment in reorganizations or crises, and more fluid internal ability. This is because AI surfaces transferr...

This show will focus on the key characteristics that hiring managers are prioritizing for 2026 and likely a good bit beyond. They are being more selective now and are trying to recruit people for all seasons, or truly well-rounded individuals. So, for hiring managers who want to achieve competitive advantage and job seekers who want to be ahead of the crowd, this episode is for you.  

I recall attending a seminar where the recruiter-presenter was talking about the importance of cultural fit in hiring the right people. When I asked him to define culture, I got a lot of mumbo jumbo, not a clear enough definition. Shortly after this seminar, I saw a culture definition that made sense: Behavior that is tolerated and Rewarded/Behavior that is Frowned upon and Punished. Most of the C...

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

How does one think and act like an owner? Unemployment numbers are creeping up. Job openings are becoming scarcer. Businesses are being more selective. So, when you’re on the job or job hunting, it is very important to think like an owner and act like one (without being presumptuous of course). If you do, you’ll stand out. You’ll weather lay-offs; you’ll come to mind for promotions; and maybe you’...

How does one think and act like an owner? Unemployment numbers are creeping up. Job openings are becoming scarcer. Businesses are being more selective. So, when you’re on the job or job hunting, it is very important to think like an owner and act like one (without being presumptuous of course). If you do, you’ll stand out. You’ll weather lay-offs; you’ll come to mind for promotions; and maybe you’...

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/euJJPaDFXR8   The key to inter...

In my long career of testing people for jobs, I’ve had some key ups and downs in calling whether job candidates will be successful. Fortunately my ups have significantly outweighed my downs, but some of my downs have been pretty bad!

Today, I’m honored to introduce my terrific guest, Kathy Rosati, the Vice President HR of the Philadelphia Contributionship. TPC is a homeowners insurance company based in, you guessed it, Philadelphia, Pa. Kathy and I have been professional colleagues for many years. Planning to retire from her great career next year, Kathy is now engaged in the challenge of selecting her successor and then facil...

This is Dr. Mickey Fineberg, and our show is Inside the Mind of Hiring. Today we’re going to discuss leadership succession with Bob Cohen, the second-generation owner of ACME Corrugated Box Company, a multi-generational manufacturer near Philadelphia, Pa. Bob, thanks for joining our show today. Watch https://www.transformationtalkradio.com/watch.html