{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Hiring Fast Without Lowering the Bar","description":"How do you scale fast without lowering the hiring bar? In this episode, Mallory Plank, Head of Talent Acquisition at Guidewheel, joins The Talent Tango to break down how she navigates the constant push and pull between quality and speed. With a background in both agency and in-house recruiting, Mallory brings a clear, operator-level view of stakeholder alignment, prioritization, and TA strategy\u2014especially in scrappy, fast-paced startup environments. Key Takeaways: TA leaders must shift from service center to strategic partner. That means aligning hiring plans to business outcomes\u2014and saying \u201cno\u201d when needed. A strong intake process isn\u2019t a checkbox; it\u2019s the foundation for speed and quality. Mallory distills it down to three clear non-negotiables. When stakeholders ask for the impossible, data becomes your ally. Mallory shares how she uses a 2\u20133 day sprint model to gather evidence and reset expectations. Process improvement starts with communication\u2014especially when your \u201cproduct\u201d is people. Your recruiters need more than reqs. Investing in their development keeps morale high during inevitable pivots. Timestamped Highlights: [01:52] \u2014 Why stakeholder management was Mallory\u2019s reason for leaving agency recruiting [04:49] \u2014 How she frames her team as strategic partners, not \u201corder takers\u201d [07:24] \u2014 The real key to balancing speed and quality in startup hiring [11:47] \u2014 Why TA has a harder time saying \u201cno\u201d to impossible reqs\u2014and how to change that [17:18] \u2014 Using sprints and goals to push back on unrealistic roles [21:31] \u2014 You can't hide in the background\u2014early-stage TA demands visibility and advocacy Quote of the Episode: \u201cRecruiting is riddled with gray area. You have to love the chaos a little bit to be good at this work.\u201d Call to Action: If you\u2019re a TA leader balancing speed and quality\u2014or trying to shift your team into a true partner function\u2014this episode is for you. Listen now and follow The Talent Tango for more unfiltered conversations with operators in the people space. ","author_name":"The Talent Tango","author_url":"http:\/\/www.elevano.com","html":"