Why Technical Skills Aren’t Enough (And What We Built Instead)
Sometimes the best HR solutions aren’t found in a playbook. They’re invented on the spot. When a client had multiple mis-hires in a row, Senior HR Consultant Deanna didn’t reach for a standard assessment tool or recommend standard training. Instead, she asked a better question: What if we could design something that didn’t exist yet? What emerged was a custom AI-powered solution that transformed not just their hiring outcomes, but how their entire leadership team thinks about building great teams.
The Challenge: Beyond Technical Skills
One of our clients was experiencing a troubling pattern: new hires who looked perfect on paper were leaving within two to three months. The technical qualifications were there, but something crucial was missing. These employees weren’t adding to the company’s culture or helping drive strategic objectives forward.
The root cause became clear through analysis: interview processes were heavily weighted toward technical skills while overlooking critical “power skills” like adaptability, collaboration, critical thinking, and change management. With transformative forces like AI reshaping how we work, these capabilities are no longer nice-to-haves.
The Solution: The Interview Igniter
Rather than recommending a standard training program or off-the-shelf assessment tool, our HR consultant saw an opportunity to create something truly customized. Leveraging emerging AI technology, she built a custom GPT designed specifically around the client’s unique needs.
Here’s how it works:
Intelligent Data Collection – The tool begins by gathering critical information from hiring managers:
- The complete job description
- Current team strengths, weaknesses, and skill gaps
- Strategic hiring objectives
Strategic Framework Integration – Our consultant embedded the client’s core organizational elements directly into the tool:
- Strategic objectives
- Company core values and purpose statement
- Balance between technical and power skills assessment
Customized Interview Guide Generation – Using all these inputs, the Interview Igniter produces comprehensive interview guides that include:
- Multiple focus areas aligned with strategic priorities
- Two to three tailored questions per focus area
- Separate question sets for hiring managers and interview team members
- Questions that assess both technical capabilities and cultural fit
The Impact: Measurable Improvements
The results have been compelling. One VP reported the tool enhanced her strategic preparation, helping her think more critically about existing team gaps and identify exactly what skills would drive the business forward. She felt she had a much clearer picture of the ideal candidate profile.
Beyond these hiring manager benefits, the tool has created positive ripple effects throughout the interview process. Interview team members now receive distinct focus areas, which has eliminated the redundant questioning that often frustrated both interviewers and candidates. Every interview now systematically assesses whether candidates will be “culture adds” rather than just culture fits, ensuring new hires don’t just blend in but actively strengthen the organization’s values and capabilities.
Your Challenges Deserve Custom Solutions
Every organization faces unique challenges that demand more than generic approaches. Our consultants bring this same innovative mindset to every engagement, asking not just “what’s the standard solution?” but “what’s the right solution for this specific situation?”
Whether you’re struggling with hiring, retention, culture transformation, or organizational development, we’re ready to create the tools and strategies you need to succeed.
Ready to experience innovative HR consulting that’s tailored to your unique needs? Let’s talk about the challenges you’re facing and the creative solutions we can build together.