Episode Details
Back to EpisodesTime-Box Your Patience
Description
In Episode 73 of the Talent Sherpa podcast, tackles a common but costly myth: that performance management can fix an executive mis-hire.
Host Jackson O. Lynch and co-host Scott Morris outline a pragmatic decision flow for CHROs under pressure: confirm the selection, clarify expectations, test whether the role is actually doable, and time-box sprints for role clarification or redesign. If those moves fail, values or judgment gaps call for a fast exit.
They dig into why CEOs delay tough calls, how CHROs can stay ahead of issues, and the difference between coaching moments and decision problems.
The conversation gets specific on what “good” looks like for new executives, how to pace 30-60-90-180 expectations, and when “moving too slow” is really a misalignment of how work gets done.
Jackson shares a candid story about learning alignment in a new culture, and the duo separates healthy egg-breaking from harmful “dead bodies” behavior.
The takeaway: CHROs must act as the CEO’s navigator, show the board a disciplined process, and protect A-players by avoiding long goodbyes once the decision is clear.
Referenced in this episode: Harvard Business Review notes that a failed executive hire can cost ~10x salary. Read: “The Biggest Mistakes New Executives Make.” Harvard Business Review
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Coaching is where it closes fastest — Jackson has developed CHROs from both sides of the table, as their leader and as their coach. The CHRO Ascent Academy, CHRO Chronicles, and the best-selling Substack are there too.
All at mytalentsherpa.com.
In private equity: Propulsion AI surfaces workforce risk before the close and translates strategy into individual accountability after it. Before AI automation - drive outcome clarity with digital teammates to do the work fast and at scale.
All at getpropulsion.ai.