In this Culture Over Quota episode, Anthony “AJ” Vaughan calls out the outdated hiring playbook still running inside too many $50M–$200M organizations — the one obsessed with pedigree, past wins, and Rolodexes.

AJ argues that in an AI-driven world where tactical knowledge can be learned in hours, what separates true leaders from legacy players isn’t who they know or where they’ve been — it’s their human capacity: adaptability, emotional resilience, and relentless curiosity.

He unpacks why companies keep flatlining despite “star hires,” how emotional fatigue is the silent killer of innovation, and what it means to design recruiting systems that detect bite down energy — the grit to evolve, not just the resume to impress.

If you’re still hiring for yesterday’s connections instead of tomorrow’s capability, this episode is your wake-up call.