We discuss the importance of character in the hiring process, exploring the challenges of assessing character and the impact of hiring the wrong person. We highlight the role of references, the need for candid peer reviews, and the significance of character in building successful teams while avoiding costly hiring mistakes. In this episode, we look at character, hiring process, challenges, wrong hire, references, peer reviews, successful teams, hiring mistakes, transparency. Discover how character assessments and transparency can revolutionize hiring, leading to better decision-making and alignment between candidates and employers. Key Takeaways Character is a crucial factor in the hiring process, significantly impacting team dynamics and performance. Assessing a candidate's character is challenging, as the entire hiring process is curated by the candidate, making it difficult to get authentic information. References are often not reliable indicators of character, as candidates typically provide references who will speak positively about them. Candid peer reviews can provide valuable insights into a candidate's character, as peers have firsthand experience working with them. Hiring the wrong person can have significant financial and operational consequences, including lost clients, damaged team morale, and wasted resources. Integrating character assessments into the hiring process can provide valuable information for employers and candidates, leading to better hiring decisions and long-term success. Chapters 00:00 Who is Sean Vassilaros 02:54 The Importance of Character in the Hiring Process 08:55 Challenges in Assessing a Candidate's Character 13:08 The Impact of Hiring the Wrong Person 16:02 The Limitations of References in Evaluating Character 22:54 Avoiding Costly Hiring Mistakes 24:02 The Uncomfortable Truth About Character 25:30 Understanding Your Character Spider Graph 29:25 The Potential Impact of Character Data in Hiring 36:42 Challenges and Opportunities of Integrating Character Assessments 45:11 The Future of Character Assessments and Transparency in Hiring Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices