507. Write This Before You Make Your First Hire with David Hoyt

David Hoyt spent nineteen years working alongside John Maxwell before landing at The Table Group, Patrick Lencioni's consulting firm, where he now helps leaders master the disciplines of organizational health. In this conversation he breaks down why politics, confusion, and misalignment show up in every organization whether you invite them or not — and what small-team owners can actually do about it. We also get into hiring for behavior instead of skill, why your first leadership move is admitting you've been getting it wrong, and the question David asked me that I couldn't answer about my own team.

Key Takeaways

• You have to be smart and healthy. Being world-class at the craft is table stakes. The moment you're running an organization — even a two-person one — leadership becomes the job.
• Ask people what they want. PPF conversations (personal, professional, financial) surface the fact that your people almost certainly want something different than you do.
• Vulnerability starts at the top. If you've been leading badly, saying so out loud is the first real step. Then baby steps, not a total overhaul.
• Interview for behavior, not just skill. Humble, hungry, and people smart is the floor. Editing chops won't save a bad culture fit.

About David Hoyt

David Hoyt brings over 25 years of experience in leading people and organizations. He is driven to see organizations create healthy cultures and teams where individuals can thrive. Prior to partnering with The Table Group, David had the privilege of serving as an executive leader with John Maxwell for 19 years. As part of Maxwell's inner circle, he ran a significant portion of John's business interests and served as President of The John

Maxwell Company. David works with CEOs and executive teams to help them master the disciplines of Organizational Health to consistently and effectively apply the concepts captured in all of Patrick Lencioni's books.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Welcome to the show!

• [03:18] Meet David Hoyt

• [07:59] Abundance Mindset

• [10:30] Coaching

• [22:36] Leadership

• [26:59] Vulnerability

• [28:24] Time Blocking

• [30:25] Discipline

• [35:48] Becoming A Healthy Leader

• [37:09] Hiring The Right Person

• [39:45] Connect with David

• [40:42] Outro

 

Quotes

"We naturally assume people want what we want. And until we slow down and ask them what they actually want, we'll lead them that way." — David Hoyt

"Politics, confusion, misalignment. Those happen naturally. So as a leader, big or small team doesn't matter, a big part of the job is going to battle against those things." — David Hoyt

"Everybody wants to interview for the smart side, like the editing skills. What too many people don't interview for is the behavioral piece." — David Hoyt

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