1% Better Recruitment Podcast

Charlie Kyriakou
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Hello and welcome to the 1% better recruitment podcast, with your host, Charles Kyriakou. The goal of this podcast is to have a wide variety of people all within the recruitment sector that will add tremendous value to those who are either looking to get into recruitment, working within the industry, running their own business, or thinking about setting up their own company. I aim to make sure that after every episode, you leave 1% better off.

  1. 3d ago

    The Best Recruiters Play The Long Game | Luke Pitkin (EP 98)

    What does it actually mean to play the long game in recruitment? Luke shares the reality of building a recruitment technology business from the ground up, from living in a shed to fund the business, overcoming failed partnerships, and learning why playing the long game always wins. We also explore why authentic relationships outperform transactional networking, how personal branding creates opportunities, and why AI should enhance human connection rather than replace it. Topics Discussed: ✅ Why recruiters need to stop thinking short-term ✅ Building authentic relationships that compound over time ✅ Why networking should never feel transactional ✅ The power of personal branding and creating content ✅ Growing a recruitment tech startup from scratch ✅ The lessons learned from living in a shed to build a business ✅ Why resilience matters more than overnight success ✅ Using AI to enhance recruiters, not replace them ✅ How to build trust that leads to long-term business ✅ Why playing the long game always wins in recruitment and business ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & welcome 01:58 – Meet Luke Pitkin & his entrepreneurial journey 09:30 – Why relationships beat transactional networking 13:20 – The best sales strategy is simply being yourself 15:25 – Authentic content vs "Corporate You" 17:40 – Building trust through testimonials and customer stories 19:00 – AI, automation & the future of recruitment technology 22:00 – Why every recruiter should be creating content 26:30 – Playing the long game in business and personal branding 33:00 – Building Gig Hire from the ground up 41:20 – Living in a shed to build the business 43:30 – Getting ripped off on the company's first deal 49:00 – Startup resilience, setbacks & surviving the early years 56:50 – Why spreadsheets hold recruiters back 58:20 – How Gig Hire is simplifying recruitment CRM 01:01:10 – How recruiters can get 1% better 01:02:10 – Closing thoughts 🐋 Podcast Sponsor – SourceWhale This episode is sponsored by SourceWhale, the multi-channel outreach platform I personally use and recommend to recruiters and founders.SourceWhale helps you combine email, LinkedIn, calls, and tasks into one structured, consistent BD workflow, without relying on spray-and-pray automation. 👉 Book a demo here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sourcewhale.com/book-demo/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=&utm_term=charles_kyriakou&utm_content=book_a_demo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mention The 1 Percent Better Recruitment Podcast or my name, Charles Kyriakou, when you book. Connect with Luke: 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-pitkin-79060094/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4E35iAr1JNyVhMtIXSNUBA 🖥️ Free Recruitment CRM: giighire.co/Free-Recruitment-Software-YTO Connect with Me: 💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📲 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Coaching Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inf1nitelearning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎙️ Podcast Website: ⁠https://www.the1percentbetterecruitmentpodcast.com⁠/ 🤖 MILO: ⁠⁠⁠https://ask-milo.com/⁠

    The Best Recruiters Play The Long Game | Luke Pitkin (EP 98)

  2. Jul 14

    Recruiters Using AI Are Like Recruiters on Steroids | Elkie Holland (EP 97)

    What happens when you combine nearly 40 years of recruitment experience with a genuine passion for AI? In this episode, I'm joined by Elkie Holland, recruitment entrepreneur, tech recruitment specialist, and founder of Prospectus Recruitment. Having been in the industry since the mid-1980s, Elkie has witnessed every major shift in recruitment and is now leading from the front by building her own AI talent partner to help recruiters become more productive without losing the human touch. We explore why AI should be viewed as a performance enhancer rather than a replacement, how recruiters can use technology to eliminate repetitive tasks, and why the future of recruitment still belongs to those who build genuine relationships. Elkie also shares practical examples of how her business is using AI today, the biggest mistakes recruiters make with new technology, and why curiosity will always outperform complacency. Topics Discussed: ✅ Why recruiters using AI are like recruiters on steroids✅ How AI should enhance recruiters, not replace them✅ Keeping the human touch in an AI-driven world✅ Building your own AI recruitment assistant✅ Using AI for sourcing, screening, research and admin✅ Why curiosity is the most valuable skill recruiters can develop✅ The biggest mistakes recruiters make when adopting AI✅ Using AI to create more time for sales and relationship building✅ The future of recruitment and where AI is really heading✅ Practical AI tools and workflows every recruiter should know ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & welcome01:45 – Meet Elkie Holland & her recruitment journey03:30 – Why recruiters must embrace AI to stay ahead07:00 – Sponsor break (SourceWhale)08:05 – Recruiters using AI are like recruiters on steroids13:10 – How recruitment founders should implement AI17:55 – Using AI to eliminate admin and create more selling time23:20 – How AI makes recruiters better, not obsolete26:05 – Why AI will never replace great recruiters30:20 – Communication and trust still win in recruitment33:10 – How recruiters build long-term client trust38:50 – Why relationships will always beat technology48:15 – The conversations that build the strongest client relationships51:10 – Inside TED: Elkie's AI Talent Partner55:10 – The AI tools every recruiter should be using59:35 – The future of AI in recruitment01:00:20 – How recruiters can get 1% better01:01:20 – Closing thoughts 🐋 Podcast Sponsor – SourceWhale This episode is sponsored by SourceWhale, the multi-channel outreach platform I personally use and recommend to recruiters and founders. SourceWhale helps you combine email, LinkedIn, calls, and tasks into one structured, consistent BD workflow, without relying on spray-and-pray automation. 👉 Book a demo here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sourcewhale.com/book-demo/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=&utm_term=charles_kyriakou&utm_content=book_a_demo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mention The 1 Percent Better Recruitment Podcast or my name, Charles Kyriakou, when you book. Connect with Elkie: 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkieholland/ Connect with Me: 💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📲 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Coaching Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inf1nitelearning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎙️ Podcast Website: https://www.the1percentbetterecruitmentpodcast.com 🤖 MILO: ⁠⁠https://ask-milo.com/

    Recruiters Using AI Are Like Recruiters on Steroids | Elkie Holland (EP 97)

  3. Jun 30

    How To Build A Recruitment Business That Runs Without You | Ash Knight (EP 96)

    What does it actually take to build a recruitment business that people never want to leave? In this episode of The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, I’m joined by Ash Knight, Founder at AJ Group, and an investor. Having built and scaled multiple specialist recruitment brands, Ash has created one of the UK's highest-performing recruitment businesses, with a relentless focus on leadership, culture, people development, and long-term growth. Topics Discussed: ✅ How AJ Group achieved 0% staff attrition✅ Building a recruitment business that doesn't depend on the founder✅ Hiring an exceptional Managing Director✅ Why letting go is one of the hardest lessons for founders✅ Building a culture people genuinely want to stay in✅ Hiring for values, behaviours and long-term potential✅ Leadership, trust and empowering your team✅ Succession planning and building for the future✅ Investing, wealth creation and thinking beyond recruitment✅ Avoiding founder burnout while scaling your business✅ Why long-term thinking beats short-term wins✅ Lessons learned from building multiple recruitment businesses✅ Focusing on your strengths as a founder✅ Creating opportunities for people to grow ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & welcome01:18 – Ash's journey into recruitment03:56 – Building a recruitment business for the long term06:42 – Hiring a Managing Director and letting go as a founder10:15 – Why founders struggle to delegate13:48 – Building trust within your leadership team17:02 – Podcast sponsor: SourceWhale17:35 – How AJ Group achieved 0% staff attrition22:04 – Hiring for behaviours rather than experience26:12 – Creating a culture people genuinely want to stay in30:18 – Leadership, progression and developing people34:06 – Building a business that isn't dependent on one person38:11 – Founder mindset and avoiding burnout41:37 – Investing, wealth creation and long-term thinking46:09 – Lessons Ash has learned from building businesses50:24 – Advice for recruitment founders looking to scale54:11 – The future of recruitment leadership57:08 – How recruiters can get 1% better 🐋 Podcast Sponsor – SourceWhale This episode is sponsored by SourceWhale, the multi-channel outreach platform I personally use and recommend to recruiters and founders. SourceWhale helps you combine email, LinkedIn, calls, and tasks into one structured, consistent BD workflow, without relying on spray-and-pray automation. 👉 Book a demo here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sourcewhale.com/book-demo/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=&utm_term=charles_kyriakou&utm_content=book_a_demo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mention The 1 Percent Better Recruitment Podcast or my name, Charles Kyriakou, when you book. Connect with Ash:💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashknightr2r/ 🌐 Website: www.ajgroup.io Connect with Me:💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📲 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-better-recruitment-podcast/id1775201502⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@1PercentBetterRecPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐 Coaching Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inf1nitelearning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Podcast Website: https://www.the1percentbetterecruitmentpodcast.com🤖 MILO: ⁠https://ask-milo.com/

    How To Build A Recruitment Business That Runs Without You | Ash Knight (EP 96)

  4. Jun 23

    How To Build A High Performance Recruitment Culture | Dale Williams (EP 95)

    What does it actually take to build a high-performance recruitment business that scales? In this episode, I’m joined by Dale Williams, CEO of The Recolution Group, a multi-brand recruitment business operating across professional services, SAP, aerospace, defence, space, and executive search. With over 18 years in recruitment and more than 15 years as a business owner, Dale shares the lessons he's learned from building multiple recruitment brands, hiring and developing recruiters, creating a high-performance culture, and navigating the challenges of leadership in a changing industry. Topics Discussed: ✅ Building a multi-brand recruitment group✅ When to launch a new recruitment brand vs a new division✅ The pros and cons of niche recruitment businesses✅ Creating a high-performance recruitment culture✅ Hiring recruiters and spotting future top performers✅ Why sales experience often beats recruitment experience✅ Developing recruiters from trainee to leader✅ Learning by osmosis and why office culture still matters✅ Work from home vs office-based recruitment✅ Has recruitment created a lost generation of recruiters?✅ Recruitment progression structures and career development✅ Why standards matter more than micromanagement✅ KPIs, accountability and recruiter performance✅ Scaling recruitment teams sustainably✅ Leadership lessons from 15+ years of agency ownership ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & welcome00:15 – Dale's recruitment journey and The Recolution Group02:00 – Building a multi-brand recruitment business04:51 – Why Dale expanded into multiple recruitment brands06:34 – Launching brands around niche market opportunities07:09 – Challenges of managing multiple brands10:51 – Creating alignment across different recruitment businesses13:05 – Internal competition, culture and collaboration15:18 – Recruitment hiring mistakes founders make17:12 – Why recruitment is difficult to hire for19:36 – The sweet spot for hiring recruiters20:46 – Why good recruiters leave the industry too early23:23 – Alternative recruitment interview processes25:12 – Developing recruiters from zero to hero28:06 – Building onboarding, L&D and progression structures30:29 – Transparent promotion frameworks33:10 – High-performance culture and business infrastructure36:09 – Why constantly changing policies creates chaos38:35 – Work from home vs office culture40:12 – Learning by osmosis and recruiter development43:31 – Has recruitment created a lost generation of recruiters?45:27 – Managing performance in a hybrid world47:45 – KPIs, accountability and trust51:03 – Common work-from-home leadership mistakes53:42 – Why remote management is a different skill55:06 – The hidden cost of remote recruitment56:46 – How recruiters can get 1% better 🐋 Podcast Sponsor – SourceWhale This episode is sponsored by SourceWhale, the multi-channel outreach platform I personally use and recommend to recruiters and founders. SourceWhale helps you combine email, LinkedIn, calls, and tasks into one structured, consistent BD workflow, without relying on spray-and-pray automation. 👉 Book a demo here:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sourcewhale.com/book-demo/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=&utm_term=charles_kyriakou&utm_content=book_a_demo⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mention The 1 Percent Better Recruitment Podcast or my name, Charles Kyriakou, when you book. Connect with Dale:💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalewilliamsrecruitment/ Connect with Me:💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/⁠⁠⁠⁠📲 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-better-recruitment-podcast/id1775201502⁠⁠⁠⁠📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@1PercentBetterRecPod⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inf1nitelearning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠🤖 MILO: https://ask-milo.com/

    How To Build A High Performance Recruitment Culture | Dale Williams (EP 95)

  5. Jun 16

    Recruiters Using AI Will Beat Recruiters Who Don't | Rob Saltrese (EP 94)

    What happens when recruitment founders know they need to embrace AI, but have no idea where to start? In this episode, I’m joined by Rob Saltrese, AI strategist, recruitment technology specialist, and founder of Lyra Labs. Rob has spent years helping businesses understand, adopt, and implement AI properly. Rather than focusing on the fearmongering headlines, we discuss what recruitment founders and leaders should actually be doing right now to stay competitive. Topics Discussed: ✅ The biggest misconceptions about AI in recruitment✅ Why recruiters who ignore AI risk getting left behind✅ AI adoption vs shiny object syndrome✅ How recruitment founders should approach AI strategy✅ AI-native tools vs legacy recruitment technology✅ AI note takers and recruiter productivity✅ Market mapping and business development with AI✅ The future of recruitment training and coaching✅ AI agents and workflow automation✅ How AI can augment, not replace, recruiters✅ Building an AI-native culture within your business✅ Practical ways recruitment leaders can start using AI today✅ Why curiosity and experimentation matter more than expertise✅ The role of human connection in an AI-driven world✅ How recruitment businesses can future-proof themselves ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & welcome02:02 – What Rob has been building in AI03:49 – The biggest misconceptions about AI08:04 – How recruitment businesses should approach AI adoption09:13 – AI in candidate attraction and recruitment processes13:25 – Why founders need to embrace AI now15:13 – Building an AI strategy before buying tools17:54 – AI-native tools vs legacy recruitment technology20:21 – Curiosity, learning & staying ahead21:10 – Using AI for business development & market mapping24:31 – Predictive intelligence and spotting opportunities early26:20 – AI tools every recruitment business should be using29:20 – Email automation & keeping the human touch33:15 – Why recruiters must continuously adapt37:53 – AI and training the next generation of recruiters43:12 – Will AI replace trainers and coaches?49:38 – AI as an augmentation tool, not a replacement53:08 – How founders can learn more about AI57:04 – AI agents, automation & building your own workflows01:03:27 – Creating an AI-native culture01:07:48 – How recruiters can get 1% better 🐋 Podcast Sponsor – SourceWhale This episode is sponsored by SourceWhale, the multi-channel outreach platform I personally use and recommend to recruiters and founders. SourceWhale helps you combine email, LinkedIn, calls, and tasks into one structured, consistent BD workflow, without relying on spray-and-pray automation. 👉 Book a demo here:⁠⁠⁠https://sourcewhale.com/book-demo/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=&utm_term=charles_kyriakou&utm_content=book_a_demo⁠⁠⁠ Mention The 1 Percent Better Recruitment Podcast or my name, Charles Kyriakou, when you book. Connect with Rob:💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-saltrese-17263a2/ Connect with Me:💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/⁠⁠⁠📲 TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-better-recruitment-podcast/id1775201502⁠⁠⁠📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@1PercentBetterRecPod⁠⁠⁠🌐 Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.inf1nitelearning.com/⁠⁠⁠ 🤖 MILO: https://www.linkedin.com/company/m-i-l-o/

    Recruiters Using AI Will Beat Recruiters Who Don't | Rob Saltrese (EP 94)

  6. Jun 9

    Building A Recruitment Business With An Exit In Mind | Tara Ricks (EP 93)

    What does it really take to build a recruitment business that someone actually wants to buy? In this episode, I'm joined by Tara Ricks, a highly respected advisor, chair, non-executive director, and former recruitment business owner who successfully built and sold her own company before going on to advise recruitment businesses across EMEA on growth, scale, acquisitions, investment, and exits. Tara shares what founders need to be doing long before they ever think about selling, why most recruitment businesses aren't as prepared as they think they are, and the common mistakes that reduce the value of a company. Topics Discussed: ✅ Building a recruitment business with an exit in mind ✅ The biggest mistakes founders make before a sale ✅ Why most recruitment firms underuse their CRM ✅ Data-driven recruitment leadership ✅ Creating a high-performance culture ✅ Scaling through systems and infrastructure ✅ Choosing the right advisors and NEDs ✅ How to increase the value of your recruitment business ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Tara Ricks01:31 – Tara's background and building Joss & Roe03:54 – What a Chair, NED and advisor actually does04:21 – Why founders should seek external advice early10:30 – How to choose the right advisor for your business13:00 – Values, chemistry and cultural fit16:03 – The biggest impact an advisor can have on a business19:40 – Fundraising, preparation and due diligence21:45 – Collaboration in recruitment and industry networks24:03 – Why due diligence is more forensic than founders expect26:08 – What separates good recruitment businesses from great ones26:45 – The importance of data-driven decision making28:05 – Using data to drive growth and client penetration31:50 – KPIs, performance culture and accountability37:48 – CRM adoption and business visibility40:14 – Culture, leadership and creating high-performance environments42:22 – Vision, communication and coaching cultures46:16 – Why continuous learning matters49:25 – What founders should do today if they want to sell in the future52:45 – Building scalable systems and operating models57:24 – How recruitment leaders can get 1% better 🐋 Podcast Sponsor – SourceWhale This episode is sponsored by SourceWhale, the multi-channel outreach platform I personally use and recommend to recruiters and founders. SourceWhale helps you combine email, LinkedIn, calls, and tasks into one structured, consistent BD workflow, without relying on spray-and-pray automation. 👉 Book a demo here: https://sourcewhale.com/book-demo/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=&utm_term=charles_kyriakou&utm_content=book_a_demo Mention The 1 Percent Better Recruitment Podcast or my name, Charles Kyriakou, when you book. Connect with Tara: 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-ricks-4b17112/ Connect with me: 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/📲 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-better-recruitment-podcast/id1775201502📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1PercentBetterRecPod🌐 Website: https://www.inf1nitelearning.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with another recruiter or founder who wants to build a better business. Small improvements daily lead to big results over time. Let's get 1% better. 🚀

    Building A Recruitment Business With An Exit In Mind | Tara Ricks (EP 93)

  7. Jun 2

    The Science Of Energy, ADHD, Burnout & Peak Performance | Debbie Bosworth (EP 92)

    What if burnout, ADHD symptoms, energy crashes, and poor performance weren’t just mindset problems… but biological ones? Debbie Bosworth is a strategic genomist with 30 years of experience, and founder of Ideal Edge, where she works with founders, CEOs, leaders, and recruiters to understand what is really going on beneath the surface by testing and interpreting genetics, DNA, bloods, cells, energy levels, and biological markers. Topics Discussed:✅ Debbie's Burnout Story ✅ Understanding ADHD through genetics, DNA, and biology✅ Why burnout is often cellular debt, not just stress✅ How recruiters and high performers build up energy debt✅ Genetics, DNA, cells and biological bottlenecks✅ Why energy crashes happen in high-pressure careers✅ The role of dopamine, adrenaline and cortisol✅ Why recruiters often run on stress, caffeine and poor food✅ How nutrition impacts performance, focus and energy✅ Supplements, blood markers and why guessing can be risky✅ Morning routines, hydration and delaying caffeine✅ Gluten, folic acid, methylation and ADHD traits✅ Why health should be treated like business performance ⏱ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro & episode context01:10 – Introducing Debbie Bosworth02:08 – Debbie’s background in healthcare, nursing and medical sales04:26 – Ideal Edge, genetics, bloods and energy levels04:46 – Debbie’s experience with severe burnout06:38 – ADHD, hyperfocus and energy crashes08:39 – Burnout, dopamine and high-performance biology10:30 – Podcast sponsor: SourceWhale11:54 – ADHD, trauma and nervous system dysregulation15:17 – Stress, B12, folate, D3 and cellular debt17:36 – Burnout as cellular debt18:11 – Recognising burnout before it goes too far20:09 – Why recruiters need to be honest about energy levels21:42 – Blood tests, DNA and biological bottlenecks23:59 – Nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle26:34 – Why you need to know your biological data27:05 – Diet, performance and Mediterranean-style nutrition29:40 – Food, inflammation and recruiter energy levels31:55 – Recruitment culture, burnout and mental health34:17 – What employers should provide for better health and performance35:51 – Supplementation, ADHD and nutrition37:32 – Dopamine, ADHD and addiction patterns39:11 – Folic acid, D3, B12 and omega profiles40:30 – Supplements, curcumin and inflammation42:59 – Cortisol, testosterone, coffee and hormone crashes48:22 – Creatine, ADHD and brain clarity50:58 – Being proactive with health before problems hit52:12 – ADHD strategies, whiteboards and working with your brain53:51 – Gluten, methylfolate and the 14-day experiment59:04 – Key blood markers to look at59:57 – Debbie’s energy routine: hydration, sunlight, protein and delayed coffee01:02:00 – Alcohol, tracking and over-optimisation01:08:20 – Cortisol, caffeine and avoiding the 3pm crash01:11:22 – How recruiters can get 1% better01:12:35 – Who Debbie works with and how to connect 🐋 Podcast Sponsor – SourceWhale This episode is sponsored by SourceWhale, the multi-channel outreach platform I personally use and recommend to recruiters and founders. SourceWhale helps you combine email, LinkedIn, calls, and tasks into one structured, consistent BD workflow, without relying on spray-and-pray automation. 👉 Book a demo here:⁠https://sourcewhale.com/book-demo/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=&utm_term=charles_kyriakou&utm_content=book_a_demo⁠ Mention The 1 Percent Better Recruitment Podcast or my name, Charles Kyriakou, when you book. Connect with Debbie:💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-bosworth-0163aa287/🌐 Website: https://www.idealedge.co Connect with Me:💻 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/⁠📲 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-better-recruitment-podcast/id1775201502⁠📺 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@1PercentBetterRecPod⁠🌐 Website: ⁠https://www.inf1nitelearning.com/⁠

    The Science Of Energy, ADHD, Burnout & Peak Performance | Debbie Bosworth (EP 92)

  8. May 26

    How An Introvert Became A Top Billing Recruiter | Craig Lewis (EP 91)

    What happens when a naturally introverted recruiter, who struggles with confidence, rejects traditional recruitment stereotypes and still becomes a top performer? In this episode, I’m joined by Craig Lewis, a recruiter with over a decade of experience who has built a highly successful desk by doing things differently. Craig opens up about confidence struggles, ADHD, personality profiling, niche specialisation, and why leaning into authenticity completely changed his career trajectory. We discuss business development without cold calling, building a recruitment desk around your strengths, market mapping, KPIs, and why some recruiters become incredibly successful simply by stopping trying to fit in. Topics Discussed: ✅ How an introvert became a successful recruiter & top biller✅ Why authenticity changed Craig’s career trajectory✅ The reality of confidence struggles in recruitment✅ Building a recruitment desk around your personality✅ Why niche specialisation compounds over time✅ How Craig wins business without traditional cold calling✅ Recruitment KPIs, performance & measuring success properly✅ Why badly implemented KPIs can damage performance✅ ADHD, mindset & finding ways of working that suit you✅ Market mapping strategies for niche recruitment desks✅ Why consistency matters more than trying to fit in✅ The dangers of copying other recruiters instead of being yourself✅ Building credibility, trust & long-term client relationships✅ Rejection sensitivity, identity & confidence in recruitment✅ Why asking better questions creates stronger client relationships✅ Working with your brain instead of against it ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & welcome01:37 – Why Craig is an atypical top performer02:29 – Craig’s recruitment journey & boutique agency background04:23 – Billing £200K+ in the UK market & dominating a niche05:00 – Podcast sponsor: SourceWhale06:41 – Why pretending to be someone else doesn’t work in recruitment06:49 – Authenticity, introversion & finding what works for you07:51 – How Craig started building a new market09:00 – “Fish with bait”, Craig’s approach to gentle BD10:31 – Tripling down on your strengths12:58 – Why Craig doesn’t do things just for the sake of KPIs14:02 – The problem with badly implemented KPIs19:38 – Client value, fees & why speed can be misunderstood24:12 – Podcast CTA break25:13 – Craig’s wobble, personality profiles & self-doubt31:00 – Mapping markets through candidates and adjacent niches36:00 – Spotting gaps where other recruiters don’t understand the role01:05:10 – Name dropping, credibility & proving market knowledge01:12:57 – Why asking questions shows genuine interest01:17:25 – Recapping client calls & asking what you missed01:27:42 – ADHD, time blindness & changing your identity01:28:46 – Rejection sensitivity & why cold calling can feel harder01:29:15 – Working with your brain instead of against it 🐋 Podcast Sponsor – SourceWhale This episode is sponsored by SourceWhale, the multi-channel outreach platform I personally use and recommend to recruiters and founders. SourceWhale helps you combine email, LinkedIn, calls, and tasks into one structured, consistent BD workflow, without relying on spray-and-pray automation. 👉 Book a demo here:⁠⁠https://sourcewhale.com/book-demo/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=&utm_term=charles_kyriakou&utm_content=book_a_demo⁠⁠ Mention The 1 Percent Better Recruitment Podcast or my name, Charles Kyriakou, when you book. Connect with Craig:💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-lewis-marketing-recruitment/⁠⁠ Connect with Me:💻 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/⁠⁠📲 TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-better-recruitment-podcast/id1775201502⁠⁠📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@1PercentBetterRecPod⁠⁠🌐 Website: ⁠⁠https://www.inf1nitelearning.com/⁠⁠

    How An Introvert Became A Top Billing Recruiter | Craig Lewis (EP 91)
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Hello and welcome to the 1% better recruitment podcast, with your host, Charles Kyriakou. The goal of this podcast is to have a wide variety of people all within the recruitment sector that will add tremendous value to those who are either looking to get into recruitment, working within the industry, running their own business, or thinking about setting up their own company. I aim to make sure that after every episode, you leave 1% better off.

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