Michele Mickelson, Head of People at Lakera, joins the DexFactor Podcast to share her journey from cheese factory tour guide to Silicon Valley operator. She reveals what makes a truly great hire, how to spot red flags even in top performers, and why high EQ, humility, and agency matter more than pedigree. Michele unpacks her G.R.E.A.T. framework, shares hard truths about hiring mistakes, and offers advice for candidates on how to go deep not wide in their job search.

Beth Nevins, founder of Developer and former People leader at CloudNC and Tarabut Gateway, joins the DexFactor Podcast to break down what separates good hires from great ones.

Ben Newsome, Talent & Operating Partner at Octopus Ventures, shares his perspective on hiring, from aligning stakeholders upfront to avoid missteps, to spotting force multipliers who elevate teams beyond their remit and why understanding the ‘why’ behind a hire is the key to getting it right.

Jess Boss, the first talent hire at Neko Health, shares her insights on recruitment, the qualities that differentiate good hires from great ones, and the challenges faced in hiring for regulatory roles.

In this engaging conversation, Sim Lamb, founder and CEO of Mazi People, shares her unique career journey from her first job in a post room to leading a boutique search firm. She discusses pivotal moments in her career, memorable hires, and the characteristics that differentiate good hires from great ones.

Lida Manukyan shares her insights on the hiring process, discussing her experiences with great hires, the challenges of recruiting across cultures, and the importance of engagement from hiring managers.