Ever wonder why that "perfect on paper" hire turned out to be a complete disaster? Dr. Reece Akhtar might just have the answer.

In this episode, we dive deep with the CEO of Deeper Signals who's spent his career figuring out the science behind personality and how it affects workplace performance. "Cut me off if I go too far down the pointy head rabbit hole," Reece jokes, but his passion for personality assessment is exactly what makes this conversation so fascinating.

From explaining why traditional hiring methods only account for about 15% of what makes someone successful to breaking down how the best personality tests actually work, Reece brings academic rigor to real-world hiring challenges. Plus, he and Cam explore that intriguing gap between theoretical models and practical application—that human element that data alone can never quite capture.

Whether you're building a team, looking to improve your hiring process, or just curious about the science behind what makes people tick at work, this episode offers both the theoretical foundation and practical tools to make better talent decisions in an increasingly AI-driven world.

More About Reece:
Dr. Reece Akhtar is the CEO and co-founder of Deeper Signals, a company transforming talent assessment through scientific assessments and AI. As an organizational psychologist and data scientist, he specializes in leveraging behavioral science and technology to help organizations make smarter, data-driven talent decisions. With expertise in applied personality assessment and computational psychometrics, he has held academic positions at New York University (NYU) and University College London (UCL) and led product innovation at Hogan Assessment Systems and RHR International. A recognized thought leader, Reece contributes to scientific journals, HBR and Forbes, sharing insights on talent, technology, and the future of work. He also published, The Future of Recruitment: Using the New Science of Talent Analytics to Get Your Hiring Right. Under his leadership, Deeper Signals delivers enterprise-ready assessment solutions that are fast, scalable, and designed to help enterprises find and grow their top talent needed for success in the AI age. His work focuses on empowering leaders with real-time, data-driven soft skill insights to unlock individual and team potential, helping businesses thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

#10xYourTeam #FutureOfWork #TalentAnalytics #PersonalityScience #SmarterHiring #WorkplacePsychology #DeeperSignals #OrganizationalPsychology #DataDrivenDecisions #HiringBetter #AIInHR #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamPerformance #BehavioralScience #TalentStrategy #HiringInsights #SoftSkillsMatter #WorkplaceSuccess #Psychometrics #RecruitmentReimagined #PeopleScience

Chapter Times and Titles:

Meet Dr. Reece: The Personality Science Guy [00:00 - 03:00]
Introduction to Reece and his background
"This is my bread and butter for you listeners"
Setting up the conversation about personality assessment

The Problem with Traditional Hiring [03:00 - 10:00]
Why interviews alone aren't enough
The 15% variance problem in predicting performance
Building a more complete picture of candidates

Not All Tests Are Created Equal [10:00 - 20:00]
Breaking down different personality models
What makes a good assessment tool
The science behind reliable insights

Personality Flexibility vs. Fixed Traits [20:00 - 35:00]
"Mood elasticity" and adaptability
How people can "turn up" certain traits
The balance between nature and nurture

Bridging Theory and Application [35:00 - 45:00]
The gap between academic models and real-world use
Why there's always a human element that data can't capture
Practical ways to use personality insights

AI and the Future of Talent Assessment [45:00 - 51:00]
How AI is changing the hiring landscape
The im