When it comes to hiring executives, the stakes couldn’t be higher. One wrong move at the top can ripple across the entire organization, impacting culture, strategy, and results. That’s why more and more Boards, recruiters, and HR leaders are turning to executive assessments to help them make smarter, data-informed decisions backed by science. But what should these assessments really reveal—and how do you use them effectively?
My special guest today is Brandon Jordan of ForPsyte Talent Assessments and he’s simplifying how to use executive assessments to hire smarter. Drawing on deep expertise in leadership selection and succession planning, Brandon helps organizations focus on the insights that truly matter when evaluating top executive talent.
Here’s how.
My special guest today is Brandon Jordan and he’s simplifying how to use executive assessments to hire smarter.
We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:
- What an executive assessment should actually tell you—beyond the basics of behavioral traits, situational judgment, and cognitive ability.
- Which tools and frameworks he trusts most at this level, zooming in on the “3 C’s” of content, construct, and criteria.
- How to separate “potential” from “performance” when evaluating leaders.
- When Boards and recruiters should use assessments—Is it better before or after interviews?
- …and ultimately, how HR can explain the assessment process clearly so every stakeholder understands the value.
Q: Are you ready to learn how to use executive assessments to hire smarter? If yes, this one is for you.
It’s time to #DoTheThing!
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<What’s catching my eye this week>
- 3 hours of (free) focus music for deep concentration - Quiet Quest - Study Music
- Hire Mary Baird to teach your senior leaders about creating a better employee experience - The Simplifiers
- 50 powerful questions to help you reflect - The Institute of You
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My challenge for you this week:
How are you going to take what you’ve learned in today’s episode and take action by using executive assessments to hire smarter this week? What’s one thing you’ll do differently? Share it with me, privately or publicly. Snap a photo of you doing the thing, and send me a DM over on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesimplifiers) for added accountability and support!
Links, books and apps mentioned:
Resource: Find Brandon Jordan on LinkedIn - click here
Book: Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion - Robert B. Cialdini, Ph.D.
Resource: Catch Brandon speaking at The HRSouthwest Conference 2025 - Using Behavioral Science to Predict Performance - HRSW
Resource: Catch Mary speaking at The HRSouthwest Conference 2025 - Create Workplace Belonging, the Right Way - HRSW
Podcast: How to turn high-potentials into leaders, featuring Shawn Storer - The Simplifiers Podcast
Podcast: How to be a better leader (guided visualization) - The Simplifiers Podcast
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About Brandon Jordan:
Brandon Jordan - He is an organizational psychologist and the founder of ForPsyte Talent Assessments, bringing nearly 20 years of expertise in applied research, people analytics, and psychometrics to the world of talent management and employee engagement.
He leverages data-driven strategies to help organizations hire smarter, develop their workforce, and build high-performing cultures.
Where Brandon hangs out online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjordantalent
Facebook: @ForPsyte
Instagram: @ForPsyte
X: @ForPsyte
Website: https://www.forpsyte.com
Brandon’s vote for the perfect guest on The Simplifiers Podcast:
Jeff Labrador, Ph.D. - He is the Director of Talent Solutions at Humancore, elevating manager performance with an AI-powered advisor solution. Humancore is an AI-powered platform that elevates the performance of your team with on-the-job, professional advice in real-time. Humancore combines cutting-edge behavioral science, AI innovation, and the highest level of security to deliver advice that is personalized, contextualized, expert, and secure.
