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Most leaders aren’t short on talent — they’re short on consistent performance.
In this episode of Authentic Achievements, I’m joined by Jane Allen — serial entrepreneur, talent selection strategist, and the leader behind Smart Work Assessments. With 30+ years helping founders, CEOs and senior leaders solve one of the most expensive workplace problems (“capable people who don’t consistently perform”), Jane breaks down what’s really going on — and what to do about it.
We explore the premise behind her upcoming book, Turning Natural Potential into Performance: Restoring Responsibility and Accountability in the Workplace (co-authored with Dr. John Marshall) and why so many leaders feel the “people don’t want to work” gap — even when individuals genuinely do want to do good work.
You’ll hear why most feel-good assessments miss the mark, what makes predictive assessments different, and the three mindset shifts that help leaders build teams who take ownership — without fear, blame, or constant chasing.
If you’re hiring, leading, or carrying the weight of underperformance — this one’s for you.
In this episode, we cover:
Why “people don’t want to work” is often a misdiagnosis
What responsibility and accountability actually look like in day-to-day behaviour
Why hiring for “experience” can be a trap (and how to hire for potential)
The difference between descriptive personality tools vs predictive assessments
The role of culture — and why in small businesses, culture is often the CEO
The three mindset shifts from Jane’s book:
- You can measure hardwired traits (and use the data to coach)
- Stop carrying responsibility that belongs to others.
- Coach for effort and learning, not just outcomes
Connect with Jane Allen
- Free resource (mentioned in the episodeWebsite: www.smartworkassessments.com
Email: jane@smartworkassessments.com (Subject line: “Authentic Achievements”)
If you’re experiencing what Jane calls “responsibility and accountability challenges” in your company, her book includes access to a free management predictive assessment for readers — a fast way to understand your leadership potential, strengths, and development edges (“know thyself”).
