Hiring For Skills Alone Isn't Enough: How to Humanize Hiring (and get it right) in a Tech-Driven World with David S. Cohen
We’re excited to welcome back David Cohen—globally recognized thought leader, executive coach, and author of Selecting the Best: Fostering a Workforce Driven by Values for Lasting Success. With over 30 years of experience advising leaders and organizations on five continents, David brings a clear message: skills may get you hired, but values determine whether you (and your organization) thrive.
From his early consulting days to his latest book, David explains why authentic values alignment—not just technical expertise—is the key to building resilient, high-performing teams.
🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss:
03:00 — Relationships Drive Everything
David shares how a single relationship—built over 30 years ago—opened doors, sustained his career, and underscores why lasting success is built on trust, respect, and connection.
David shares how a single relationship—built over 30 years ago—opened doors, sustained his career, and underscores why lasting success is built on trust, respect, and connection.
08:00 — Hire for Values, Not Just Skills
Knowledge and skills are teachable, but values-driven behavior determines whether someone will fit, flourish, and stay. Hiring without considering values is one of the fastest paths to disengagement and turnover.
Knowledge and skills are teachable, but values-driven behavior determines whether someone will fit, flourish, and stay. Hiring without considering values is one of the fastest paths to disengagement and turnover.
12:00 — The Integrity Trap
Why “integrity” isn’t really a value—it’s the sum total of living your values. When organizations plaster it on walls but don’t live it, cynicism and distrust follow.
Why “integrity” isn’t really a value—it’s the sum total of living your values. When organizations plaster it on walls but don’t live it, cynicism and distrust follow.
17:00 — How to Ask Better Interview Questions
David explains why ambiguous, behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time…”) reveal far more than canned Q&A—and how silence can be a powerful tool in uncovering authentic stories.
David explains why ambiguous, behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time…”) reveal far more than canned Q&A—and how silence can be a powerful tool in uncovering authentic stories.
💡 This Episode Is for:
Leaders, recruiters, HR professionals, and job seekers who want to understand how values shape hiring, retention, and long-term success.
Leaders, recruiters, HR professionals, and job seekers who want to understand how values shape hiring, retention, and long-term success.
🔗 Where to Learn More:
- Selecting the Best — Available now on Amazon
- SAGltd.com
— David’s consulting firm - Connect with David Cohen (David S. Cohen) on LinkedIn