The #1 Hiring Blind Spot That’s Costing You Time, Money, and Growth

The Cost of Gut-Based Hiring

Have you ever hired someone who seemed like a perfect fit—only to regret it weeks later?

If so, you’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs make the same hiring mistake, trusting their instincts rather than following a structured process. Alec Broadfoot, author of Hiring Your Right Number 2 Leader, calls this the “hiring chasm”—a dangerous gap in judgment that costs businesses dearly.

Visionary leaders tend to move fast and rely on gut instincts. This serves them well in many areas but can be disastrous when hiring. The problem? Gut decisions often lead to costly missteps that drain resources, hinder growth, and disrupt teams.

Hiring Your Right #2 Leader Book

Why Do Many Visionaries Trust Their Gut Instinct in Hiring?

Many visionary entrepreneurs rely on intuition when hiring because:

They are used to making quick decisions – Entrepreneurs operate in fast-paced environments where decisiveness is valued.
They believe in their ability to judge character – Many successful business leaders trust their instincts about people, assuming they can identify the right fit based on a short interaction.
They lack a structured hiring process – Without a data-driven system, entrepreneurs fall back on familiar but flawed methods, such as resumes and first impressions.
They don’t recognize the true cost of a bad hire – Hiring mistakes don’t just cost money; they impact morale, productivity, and business growth.

“Entrepreneurs move fast and trust their instincts—but when it comes to hiring, gut decisions often lead to costly mistakes.”

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The Danger of Hiring Based on Gut Feelings

Hiring decisions based on instinct can be one of the most expensive mistakes a company makes.

Alec Broadfoot, in Hiring Your Right Number 2 Leader, shares his own hard-learned lesson: after ignoring an assessment tool’s red flags, he hired someone purely based on a strong interview performance and gut feeling. Within weeks, it became clear the hire was a poor fit, requiring immediate termination. This experience reinforced a crucial lesson—gut instinct is no substitute for a structured hiring process that evaluates skills, culture fit, and long-term potential.

Many entrepreneurs fall into this trap because they trust their ability to read people. However, gut-driven hiring often results in costly turnover and frustration. Without objective assessments, structured interviews, and clear success metrics, hiring becomes a risky gamble rather than a strategic investment.

Why Gut-Based Hiring Fails

1️⃣ Cognitive Biases – We naturally gravitate toward people who remind us of ourselves, which clouds objective decision-making.

2️⃣ Interview Performance ≠ Job Performance – Many candidates are skilled at presenting themselves well but may lack the ability to execute their responsibilities.

3️⃣ Resumes Can Be Misleading – Research shows that 48% of resumes contain inaccuracies, meaning that hiring decisions based solely on resumes are inherently risky.

“Your gut isn’t a hiring strategy. It’s a shortcut that often leads to bad decisions.”

How to Avoid Gut-Based Hiring & Hire with Confidence

Shifting from gut instinct to a repeatable hiring process can save you time, money, and frustration. Here’s how:

Use data-driven tools – Assessments, structured interviews, and scorecards eliminate bias.
Define success metrics – Establish clear, measurable performance expectations before hiring.
Hire for both culture & capability – A great personality isn’t enough—your hire must deliver results.
Implement a structured process – A proven hiring system reduces costly mistakes and ensures long-term success.
Leverage expert guidance – Work with hiring specialists to refine your strategy and avoid common pitfalls.

“Hiring should be a process, not a gamble. The best hires aren’t made on gut feel—they’re made using proven systems.”

Are you unknowingly relying too much on gut instinct in your hiring decisions? The consequences can be costly.

Discover the truth about your hiring approach with our Hiring Gut Check Scorecard—a powerful resource designed to help you identify blind spots and improve your hiring strategy.

📥 Download the full eBook now to access:

✅ The complete 7-question Hiring Gut Check Quiz

✅ A scoring guide to assess your hiring risks

✅ A mini action plan to build a more strategic hiring process

Don’t leave your hiring success to chance.

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The #1 Hiring Blind Spot That’s Costing You Time, Money, and Growth

Future-Proof Your Business with a Scalable People Plan

Future-Proof Your Business with a Scalable People Plan

The #1 Hiring Blind Spot That’s Costing You Time, Money, and Growth

The Danger of Hiring Based on Gut Feelings

How to Avoid Gut-Based Hiring & Hire with Confidence

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