Recruiting Conversations

Richard Milligan
  • 4.7 (45)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Recruiting Conversations

Welcome to the Recruiting Conversations Podcast, a conversation designed to help Recruiting Leaders who manage a team as well as recruit. Richard Milligan is a speaker, author, strategist, and recruiting coach who built 21 teams as a Recruiting Leader.

  1. 4D AGO

    Vision That Resonates: How to Cast a Message That Moves People

    Most leaders are underselling their vision—not because they lack clarity, but because they’ve never taken time to connect it to meaning. In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I walk you through how to create a vision that doesn’t just sound good—it moves people. The kind of vision that sticks in a recruit’s mind, shapes their decisions, and makes them want to follow you before you ever ask them to. This isn’t about metrics or market share. It’s about story, emotion, and alignment. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – Why most vision statements fall flat and what a real, resonant vision actually looks like. [01:00] Make It Personal – Tie your vision to your story. Why are you building this? Why does it matter to you? [02:30] Paint the Picture – Don’t just say it—show it. What would your culture look and feel like if it were a movie? [03:30] Make the Recruit the Hero – Stop casting yourself as the center. Invite recruits to co-create something with you. [04:00] Align to Their Values – Ask the right questions, then tailor your vision to what matters most to them. [05:00] Repeat It Often – Vision isn’t a one-liner. It should show up in every call, huddle, and message. [06:00] Flexible Framing – Anchor your message to one true north, but adapt how you communicate it depending on who you’re talking to. [07:00] Final Challenge – Write and speak your personal vision—not your company’s. Practice until it becomes second nature. Key Takeaways Vision Isn’t a Slide—It’s a Story – If it doesn’t move people emotionally, it won’t move them physically either. Connect It to Your Why – Your personal journey gives your message authenticity and power. Show, Don’t Tell – Use specific, real examples to help others see what you’re building. Speak to What They Value – Great recruiters listen before they cast. Then they connect the dots. Repeat It Relentlessly – Repetition isn’t annoying—it’s what makes vision stick. The vision that resonates is the one that’s honest, heartfelt, and repeated with conviction. When your message is clear, personal, and aligned with others’ desires, you won’t have to convince them. They’ll want in. Want help clarifying and communicating a vision that attracts top talent? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a session at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s build a vision people want to follow.

    7 min

  2. JUN 10

    How to Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning and Growth Within Your Recruiting Team

    Let’s be honest, training can spark short-term results, but if you want long-term recruiting success, you need a team that lives in a growth mindset. In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I break down how to create a learning culture that fuels consistency, creativity, and long-term momentum. This isn’t about more courses or another playbook. It’s about shaping a culture where people chase improvement, not because you make them, but because it’s who they are. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – Why most teams flatline after early wins—and how to fix it with a growth culture. [01:00] Step 1: Model It from the Top – If you're not growing, your team won't either. Share what you're learning and experimenting with. [02:00] Step 2: Build It Into the Rhythm – Weekly skill clinics, role plays, book clubs, and "teach-back" moments create learning momentum. [03:00] Step 3: Celebrate Growth Behaviors – Don’t just recognize hires; reward script tweaks, learning reps, and initiative. [04:00] Step 4: Create Psychological Safety – Give your team permission to fail forward. Growth can't happen if fear dominates the room. [05:00] Step 5: Align Systems to Support Growth – Track and coach development behaviors, not just outputs. Reinforce the right things. [06:00] Final Challenge – Audit your culture. Ask: Are we learning? Sharing? Modeling? If not, start with one small rhythm and build from there. Key Takeaways You Set the Growth Ceiling – If you’re not learning, neither is your team. Model curiosity, not just execution. Make Learning Normal – Growth won’t scale if it’s optional. Systematize it with intentional rhythms. Reward Process, Not Just Production – Celebrate the learner, not just the closer. Fail Forward, Together – Safe teams grow faster. Normalize iteration and experimentation. Track Growth Like You Track Results – If it matters, measure it. Progress becomes culture when it’s visible. The strongest recruiting teams aren’t the ones who have it all figured out—they’re the ones who never stop improving. Build a culture where growth isn’t just encouraged. It’s expected. Want help designing a high-performance recruiting culture that lasts? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a coaching session at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s grow your team from the inside out.

    7 min

  3. JUN 3

    High-Touch at Scale: How to Guide Your Team to Personalize Value Adds Without Burning Out

    If you're serious about building a high-trust, high-retention culture, personalization matters. But how do you scale those handwritten notes, thoughtful gifts, and one-on-one moments without burning yourself—or your team—out? In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I walk through a step-by-step framework to institutionalize care inside your culture. I’ll show you how to move from random acts of kindness to intentional rhythms of significance that don’t just look good—they build loyalty and attract better talent. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The leadership challenge: how to personalize value adds without burning out. [01:00] Personalization vs. Automation – Why automated systems can’t replace intentional human touchpoints. [01:30] Step 1: Shift the Mindset – From occasional gestures to systemized care moments. [02:00] Step 2: Create a Shared Playbook – Give your team a menu of high-touch actions to draw from: Handwritten notes Milestone cards Book gifts Welcome kits Video shoutouts [03:00] Step 3: Assign Ownership – Build a “care team” and give them freedom, budget, and responsibility to lead the rhythm. [03:30] Step 4: Tie It to Culture – Reinforce your values through the touchpoints. Show people what “living the mission” looks like. [04:30] Step 5: Track It – Use a Google Sheet, Trello board, or CRM tab to log every gesture, who received it, and why. [05:30] Final Shift – You’re not scaling volume. You’re scaling intentionality—doing the right thing for the right people at the right time. [06:00] Final Challenge – Define your five core touchpoints. Then pick one way to systematize them this week. Key Takeaways Systemize the Heartbeat – Make personalized leadership part of your culture’s rhythm, not an afterthought. Give the Team a Menu – Most people want to care—they just need ideas and structure. Build a Culture of Care – Highlight moments that align with your values. Make it part of the identity. Track It to Scale It – Thoughtful doesn't mean chaotic. Structure creates sustainability. Lead with Intentionality – You don’t need more volume. You need more moments that actually matter. In a world full of automation and shortcuts, the leaders who lead with care always stand out—and they build teams that last. Want help creating a high-touch leadership rhythm inside your team? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a session at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s scale your leadership without losing your personal touch.

    7 min

  4. MAY 27

    Shifting From Producer to Recruiter: How to Flip Your Social Brand and Attract Top Talent

    If you’re still posting like a top producer but expecting people to follow you like a top leader, it’s time for a shift. In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I break down how to reframe your social media presence to attract talent, not just clients. Your digital brand is your recruiting reputation. I’ll walk you through a proven framework to flip your message from “I close deals” to “I build leaders.” Because if you want top talent to follow you, you need to show up like someone worth following.   Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The disconnect between producer-style social posts and recruiting outcomes. [01:00] Why Your Brand Isn’t Working – Your profile says top producer when it needs to say top leader. [01:30] Step 1: Define What You Want to Be Known For – Focus on your vision, your value, and your voice. [02:30] Step 2: Elevate the Conversation – Talk less about volume. Talk more about growth, mentorship, and development. [03:30] Step 3: Document Your Leadership – Share real moments, coaching sessions, growth wins, behind-the-scenes leadership insights. [04:30] Step 4: Build a Consistent Posting Rhythm – Use a weekly content cadence that includes vision, wins, insights, values, and gratitude. [05:30] Step 5: Remove Distractions – Market updates and closings? Move those to stories or separate accounts to avoid confusing your audience. [06:00] Coaching Case Study – How one leader went from “Superman” producer to team-building recruiter in just six weeks, and started getting inbound interest fast. [07:00] Final Challenge – Audit your social media today. If your last 10 posts don’t reflect leadership, change the message.   Key Takeaways People Follow Leaders, Not Closers – If your feed looks like a producer’s, it’s time to evolve your message. Vision, Value, Voice – Define and share what you stand for and who you're building with. Make It About the Team – Highlight others. Show development. Move from “look at me” to “look at us.” Be Consistent – Social branding works when you show up frequently and with clarity. Your Brand Is Either Attracting or Repelling – Be intentional. Start speaking directly to the people you want to lead. Your next recruit is already watching. Now it’s time to give them a reason to reach out. Shift your message, step into your leadership, and let your brand do the recruiting for you. Want help building a social presence that actually brings talent to you? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a strategy session at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s flip the script together.

    7 min

  5. MAY 20

    Navigating Non-Competes and Sensitive Transitions Without Losing the Recruit or Your Integrity

    What do you do when a recruit suddenly brings up a non-compete, emotional loyalty, or fear around leaving their current role? This is one of the trickiest moments in recruiting, and how you handle it will either build trust or break it. In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I walk through the posture, language, and mindset shifts that will help you navigate sensitive transitions with professionalism and integrity. This isn’t about pushing people over the line, it’s about becoming the kind of leader people feel safe following. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – Why most leaders freeze when a recruit mentions a non-compete or emotional hesitation. [01:00] Acknowledge the Weight – Before anything else, validate what they’re feeling. Don’t dismiss it. [01:30] Lead With Empathy – A simple phrase: “Let’s slow down and walk through this the right way.” [02:00] Stay in Your Lane – Don’t give legal advice. Offer to connect them with a trusted attorney. [02:30] The Professional Position – Show maturity by prioritizing their well-being over your urgency. [03:30] Emotional Loyalty Is Real – Sometimes it’s not legal, it’s personal. Help them reframe it without shame. [04:00] Long-Term Perspective – Ask: “Ten years from now, what do you want to be proud of?” [05:00] Go Slow to Go Deep – Allow them the time they need. No pressure. Just partnership. [05:30] Build the Right Reputation – Integrity attracts. Your brand is built in moments like this. Key Takeaways Validate Their Fear – Just because you think it’s minor doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel major to them. Offer Support, Not Solutions – Be a guide, not a legal expert. Connect them to the right help. Honor Their Loyalty – Don’t fight it. Use it as a mirror of their values and a reason to lead them well. Ask Bigger Questions – Help them think long-term. Align the next move with their vision, not their fear. Integrity Is Your Advantage – Leaders who slow down and protect the recruit build brands that attract. You don’t need to push to win. You just need to walk with people in the moments that matter. Handle transitions with care, and you won’t just close more recruits, you’ll become a leader worth following. Want help building a recruiting process that balances strategy and integrity? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a session at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s build your brand the right way.

    7 min

  6. MAY 13

    How to Pre-Frame Follow-Ups With Value and Stop Feeling Like a Nuisance

    We’ve all been there: the first meeting goes great, the recruit leans in, there’s chemistry... then silence. Suddenly, every follow-up feels like you’re annoying them. In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I break down how to pre-frame your follow-ups with value, so you stop chasing and start leading. When done right, follow-up isn’t a disruption, it’s a service. I’ll show you how to turn that awkward “just checking in” into a trusted leadership moment that builds momentum and creates future hires. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The recruiting tension we’ve all felt: great meeting, then ghosted. [01:00] Why Follow-Ups Fall Flat – You didn’t set the stage. No frame = no permission. [01:30] Pre-Framing the Follow-Up – Plant the seed during the first conversation. Ask if you can share something valuable in the weeks ahead. [02:30] Asset #1: Books – Send a thoughtful book with a handwritten note that matches their challenge. [03:30] Asset #2: Event Invites – Pre-frame exclusive invites to leadership calls, masterminds, or town halls. [04:00] Asset #3: Custom Content – Send a podcast, quote, or framework tied to their specific pain point. [04:30] Asset #4: Pure Gratitude – A thank-you note that affirms their leadership plants powerful seeds. [05:00] Build a Value Library – Create a system to store and deploy assets: books, podcasts, events, insights. [06:00] Final Challenge – Stop winging follow-up. Lead with intentionality, and watch your pipeline warm up fast. Key Takeaways Pre-Frame the Next Touchpoint – Get permission early so follow-up feels like service, not pursuit. Lead With Value – Use books, events, and content that reinforce your leadership and build trust. Customize Your Follow-Up – Reference real pain points from the conversation. Show them you listened. Systematize It – Keep a library of resources so you’re never scrambling for the next move. You’re Not a Nuisance – When your follow-up is relevant and intentional, it becomes a leadership moment. The best recruiters aren’t chasing. They’re investing. Start pre-framing your follow-ups, and you’ll stop feeling like a salesperson and start being seen as a trusted guide. Want help building your follow-up rhythm? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a strategy session at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s turn your follow-ups into future hires.

    7 min

  7. MAY 6

    Using Masterminds and Events to Attract Top Talent Without Sounding Like a Recruiter

    Let’s talk about one of the most powerful, and most underused, tools in recruiting: events and masterminds. Not the big splashy hotel-ballroom kind. I’m talking about strategic, intimate gatherings that position you as a leader, not a recruiter. In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I walk you through how to host the kind of experience that attracts high-level talent without ever pitching your opportunity. You’ll learn how to move from chasing candidates to curating conversations that build trust, momentum, and long-term recruiting wins. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The overlooked power of events and masterminds in modern recruiting. [01:00] Why Pitches Fall Flat – Top talent doesn’t want another comp plan meeting. They want meaningful conversation. [01:30] Step 1: Solve a Real Problem – Create a topic around what producers actually care about: margin compression, referrals, personal brand, burnout, AI tools. [02:30] Step 2: Invite Strategically – Avoid salesy language. Use this: “No pitch. Just great conversation with people who are growing.” [03:30] Step 3: Facilitate Like a Pro – You don’t need to be the expert. Ask great questions, spotlight others, and guide the room. [04:30] The Follow-Up Strategy – After the event, send a resource or personalized note that connects to what they shared. [05:00] Real Story – How one client hosted a 6-person breakfast that led to a recruit texting her days later asking for a conversation, without ever mentioning her company. [05:30] Final Challenge – Build a mastermind in the next 30 days. Make it meaningful. Let value open the recruiting door. Key Takeaways Stop Pitching. Start Curating. – Recruiting isn’t about features. It’s about creating spaces where people want to belong. Solve Real Problems – When you focus on what producers are struggling with, they’ll lean in. Be the Host, Not the Hero – Great facilitators create rooms others want to return to. Recruit Without Recruiting – Share resources. Follow up with intention. Lead the relationship. Events Build Trust at Scale – You’re not chasing people. You’re inviting them into a conversation worth joining. If you want to win the top 20%, stop sounding like every other recruiter. Lead something real. Build something valuable. And create rooms where leaders want to sit. Want help building your first mastermind or recruiting event? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a session at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s build something people want to be part of.

    6 min

  8. APR 29

    Boutique and Proud: How to Win Top Talent Without a Big Brand Behind You

    Let’s flip the script. If you’re building a team inside a local or regional brand without the flashy pitch deck or name recognition, you’re not at a disadvantage—you’re in a position of power. In this episode of Recruiting Conversations, I break down how to position yourself not in spite of your size, but because of it. Top producers today aren’t just looking for big names—they’re looking for trust, access, authenticity, and vision. This is your blueprint for turning “small” into elite and building a boutique recruiting brand that wins. Episode Breakdown [00:00] Introduction – The big question for small shops: How do I compete with the big brands for top talent? [01:00] The False Belief – Why “smaller” doesn’t mean “weaker”—it means you have a unique recruiting edge. [01:30] Own Your Positioning – Don’t apologize for being boutique—embrace it with posture and pride. [02:00] Shift the Frame – You’re not small, you’re selective. Not under-resourced, but customized and high-touch. [02:30] Lead with Vision, Not Features – Features don’t move people—vision, identity, and belief do. [03:30] Sell the Why – Be the leader who shows up with clarity and conviction, not a generic pitch. [04:00] Agility and Access – Big companies move slow. You move fast. Talk about your speed, flexibility, and personal touch. [04:30] Customization Is King – You’re not templated. You co-create support and systems around each individual. [05:00] The Greatest Asset: You – Your leadership, coaching, and mentorship are what sets you apart. Own it. [06:00] Final Challenge – Audit your language. Are you playing underdog, or owning the boutique high-performance brand you are? Key Takeaways Posture Matters – Stop competing on features. Compete with belief, vision, and leadership. You’re Not Small, You’re Specialized – Top talent wants voice, trust, and agility—not red tape. Build Around the Individual – Your advantage is flexibility. Co-create solutions, don’t cookie-cut them. Lead with Identity – Share your why. Share your leadership philosophy. That’s what people follow. Stay in Your Lane – Don’t try to out-tech or out-brand. Win with intimacy, access, and personal connection. You don’t need a national name or a big checkbook to attract elite talent. You just need clarity on who you are, confidence in what you bring, and the courage to lead with conviction. Want help crafting your boutique recruiting message? Subscribe to my weekly email at 4crecruiting.com or book a session with me at bookrichardnow.com. Let’s build something real—and worth following.

    7 min
See All (100)

4.7
out of 5
45 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Recruiting Conversations Podcast, a conversation designed to help Recruiting Leaders who manage a team as well as recruit. Richard Milligan is a speaker, author, strategist, and recruiting coach who built 21 teams as a Recruiting Leader.

Information

  • Creator
    Richard Milligan
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 4C Recruiting 2019
  • Show Website
    Recruiting Conversations

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada