Leadership in recruitment goes beyond hitting targets. 

It involves building strong, connected teams that thrive in tough times. 

In the final episode of The Recruitment Podcast, Desiree Goldey, Director of Marketing, Embedded Recruiting & Interim Solutions at ZRG Partners, reveals the secret sauce to effective leadership. 

These traits not only transform recruitment teams but also drive lasting success. 

Ready to rethink your leadership approach? Here’s how you can lead with heart and strategy.

5 unpopular tricks to lead in recruitment 

1. Make empathy your strategy 

Empathy is a powerful tool in leadership. 

It’s about understanding how your team feels and what they need. 

Desiree believes that great leaders blend strategy with empathy. 

“Empathy is a strategy.”

Without empathy, you miss the heart of leadership. A leader’s role is to support the team, listen to their struggles, and help them grow. When empathy is part of your leadership, your team thrives.

2. Become a leader before a manager

Top billers don’t always make the best leaders. Leadership requires a different skill set.

Desiree suggests taking a step back before becoming a manager. 

Reflect on whether leadership is right for you. It’s about supporting your team and understanding their needs, not just hitting numbers.

Leadership isn’t easy. It requires dedication to your team’s well-being. Without it, recruitment can become a tough environment.

3. Shift your focus from control to collaboration

Leadership is evolving. 

Instead of control, the focus is on collaboration. Leaders who listen, empower their teams, and foster open communication create more inclusive, innovative environments. 

“Inclusive leadership leads to better productivity.”

The key is psychological safety. Team members should feel comfortable sharing their ideas without fear of judgment. This approach helps create a supportive and creative space for everyone.

4. Align goals with empathy

Performance goals are important, but they must be balanced with empathy. 

Leaders should ensure their teams understand the why and the how behind their goals. 

Desiree says, “When goals align with actionable steps, teams run smoothly.”

Empathy ensures that team members aren’t doing smart work more than hard work.

5. Be adaptable

Desiree emphasizes the importance of adaptability. The recruitment landscape is always changing. 

If leaders can’t adjust, they won’t succeed. 

“Leadership requires flexibility.”

Being adaptable means leaders can guide their teams through uncertainty and change, helping them stay on track no matter what happens.

Watch: Desiree Goldey on leading with purpose | The Recruitment Podcast Finale Episode