Hiring For Potential vs Hiring For Experience: What Actually Works

Hiring For Potential vs Hiring For Experience: What Actually Works

Author: Jacob Stone and Maria Williams February 28, 2026 Duration: 11:20

Hiring for potential works—when you do it on purpose.

In this episode of The Intentional Workplace, Jacob Stone and Maria Williams unpack the real difference between betting on potential and hoping it works out. We explore when hiring for potential fuels growth, how to spot the soft skills that actually predict success, and why performance benchmarks still matter—especially for scaling teams.

Founders and business leaders will learn how to evaluate capability, coachability, and trajectory without sacrificing accountability or speed, and how to avoid the common trap of confusing optimism with strategy.

If you’re building for the long term and want to hire people who can grow and deliver, this 15-minute conversation will help you make smarter, more intentional talent decisions.


Every week, Maria Williams of SaleSmart HR Solutions and Jacob Stone from WorqTap get together for a live conversation that cuts through the noise. Their The Intentional Workplace podcast is built on a simple idea: scaling a company shouldn't mean your culture or your sanity falls apart. Instead of abstract theories, they focus on the tangible, often messy problems that leaders encounter as their teams grow. You’ll hear direct discussions on everything from reshaping talent strategy to implementing HR practices that actually stick, all framed by the latest workplace trends. This isn't about adding more complexity to your day; it's about finding practical clarity. Designed for founders, executives, and HR leaders in the thick of building something, each episode feels like a candid strategy session. Tuning into this podcast means getting actionable insights from two hosts who’ve been in the trenches, helping you build a workplace that works on purpose.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 13

The Intentional Workplace
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