How Google’s Rule of Four Can Streamline and Improve Executive Searches

You’re adding an executive to your leadership team.

 

You’ve done your homework and identified some hopeful candidates. 


Now it’s time to identify a candidate who is a good fit for the role and culture, so it's important that all hopefuls meet with as many people in your organization as possible. 


Right?

 

Well…not necessarily.

 

Considering the historically tight labor market, finding an edge over your competition today means being more thoughtful about the design of your recruiting process. If you want to streamline your interview and selection process while increasing your odds of a successful outcome, keep reading.

 

What follows are interview tips and best practices to help you identify the right candidates, determine the optimal number of interviewers, and ensure a candidate experience that pays off with a timely hire.


The Law of Diminishing Returns: Why Less is More


Most people are familiar with the law of diminishing returns. It’s an economic principle stating that there is a point at which adding additional units of input (such as labor or capital) will no longer result in a proportional increase in output.


The law of diminishing returns reminds us that there is value in moderation and that more doesn't always mean better.


If you're struggling to fill roles with ideal candidates, applying this concept to your current interviewing practices will help spur results. Having too many people from your organization involved in the interview process can lead to indecision based on varying opinions of the interview team and candidates withdrawing due to the extended process.


Improve Search Outcomes with the Google Rule of Four


At some point, Google noticed that when it comes to getting the best talent on board, it’s incredibly important to move quickly and efficiently. That's why Google decided to implement the "Rule of Four" for most of its interviews. 


The rule simply states that a maximum of four people should be involved in the interview process. This rule was based on Google analyzing their historical hiring data showing that the success rate of a hire when having four people on the interview team was almost identical to those with more people in 95% of cases.


The Rule of Four is a simple but effective way to streamline the interview process and make better hiring decisions faster.


If we follow the lead of the interview process at Google, having an efficient interview structure not only maintains the success rate of hires, but can also provide a more positive candidate experience resulting in an improved acceptance rate.


When it comes to executive-level positions, this philosophy takes on even greater importance. The executive hiring and recruiting process is notoriously lengthy and complicated, often taking months or even years to complete — a result of having too many cooks in the kitchen.

 

However, research has shown that adding more people to the interview team lengthens the entire process and does not necessarily result in better hires. A shorter interview process, with a small team, is often more effective in identifying top candidates.


Additional Drawbacks of a Lengthy Hiring Process


Loss of time. The more people you have involved in the hiring process, the more you’ll compete with too many calendars, and it becomes difficult to schedule interviews. This will greatly increase the time it takes to fill a position.


Reduced productivity. For each current employee spending time interviewing, productivity of their regular job duties goes down.

Candidate exhaustion. With a slow hiring process, candidates assume they are not wanted and that their background is not valued. They are most likely to lose interest and look elsewhere.


Other opportunities. Google's head of HR has said that "the best people don't wait." A quicker hiring process means you’re not losing your best candidates to other opportunities.


Executive Hiring Best Practices: Streamline and Simplify


Instead of spending time on countless interviews conducted by too many people, consider these steps to streamline your interview process. With fewer people involved and a solid plan, you’ll eliminate bias, get more accurate feedback post-interview, and decide that everyone on your team can agree with.


Structuring Executive Interviews for an Optimal Outcome


Step 1: Build a Small but Mighty Team


The first step to streamlining your executive interview process is to build a small but mighty interview team. When it comes to interviewing executives, less is more. And no more than four is ideal. You want to make sure that you have a team of people who are qualified to ask tough questions and evaluate candidates objectively. Typically, the interview team is comprised of the hiring manager, a peer to the role, subject matter experts, and human resources. Having too many people involved in the process can often lead to bias and slow down decision-making.


Step 2: Employ Structured Interviews


The second step to streamlining your interview process is to employ structured interviews. This means that interview questions are developed specifically to assess candidates on the skills needed to be successful in the role. In addition, each candidate should be asked the same set of questions in the same order. This will help you to compare candidates more effectively and eliminate bias.


Step 3: Use a Candidate Scorecard


The third step to streamlining your interview process is to clarify the feedback process. You want to make sure that everyone on your team knows how to give feedback and that there is a system in place for collecting it. Utilizing a Candidate Scorecard is an effective and organized tool used for these purposes. Interviewers provide numerical ratings for each candidate over a variety of predetermined skills or traits needed in the role based on the candidate’s interview responses on the Candidate Scorecard. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that you are making decisions based on accurate information.


Step 4: Make a Decision


The fourth and final step to streamlining your interview process is to decide. Once you have collected all the information, it’s time to decide. This can be tricky but trusting the process will pay off in spades.


Apply Google’s Rule of Four to Your Next Candidate Search


A streamlined interviewing process will help you avoid any possibility of diminishing returns during your search for your next executive hire. 

180one is Portland’s trusted partner for executive recruitment. We go beyond traditional headhunters simplifying how you hire leaders with a complete range of services — including developing candidate success profiles and scorecards and designing structured interviews and candidate success profiles. We have the tools and resources to help you find the perfect candidate for your next role. We'd be happy to chat. Book a call HERE

By Effie Zimmerman February 23, 2026
Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer ABOUT THE COMPANY With roots dating back to 1938, The Papé Group is the West’s leading supplier of capital equipment solutions. Today, Papé operates across nine states with over 4,000 team members, proudly representing premier brands including John Deere, Kenworth, Hyster, Ditch Witch, and more. What sets Papé apart is its commitment to long-term relationships, both with customers and employees. As a fourth-generation, family-led business, Papé believes in the value of a handshake, the importance of service, and the impact of leadership that stays close to the work. ABOUT THE POSITION Reporting to the CEO of the Papé Group and residing in Eugene, Oregon, the VP & Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) serves as the organization’s senior leader responsible for developing and executing a people strategy that supports business performance, operational excellence, and a strong employee experience across a geographically dispersed, multi-site workforce. This leader will bring exceptional integrity, discretion, loyalty, and sound judgment, while building trust and credibility at every level of the organization—from frontline employees to executive leadership. The VP & CHRO will balance the operational needs of the business with employee engagement and workforce stability, ensuring the organization remains compliant, competitive, and well-positioned for growth. This role leads all HR functions, including labor relations, safety, recruiting, benefits, payroll, HRIS, onboarding, training, and performance management, while also serving as a key strategic partner in mergers and acquisitions Essential Duties and Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Culture Lead the development and execution of the company’s enterprise-wide HR strategy in alignment with business objectives, operational needs, and long-term growth plans. Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team on workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and employee relations. Champion a culture of integrity, accountability, respect, and performance while ensuring employees feel heard, supported, and engaged. Establish and maintain consistent HR practices across multiple locations and states while allowing for local operational needs. Compliance, Risk Management & Employment Law Ensure legal compliance across all employment-related areas, including wage and hour laws, payroll practices, employee classification, leaves of absence, and workplace policies. Partner with legal counsel and internal stakeholders to mitigate risk and ensure consistent application of employment law across 17 states. Oversee safety program alignment and compliance, ensuring workplace safety expectations are embedded into operational leadership and accountability. Lead investigations and resolution of complex employee relations matters with professionalism, confidentiality, and fairness. Total Rewards, Benefits & Retirement Plans Oversee benefits strategy and administration, including medical, dental, vision, disability, leave programs, and wellness offerings. Lead negotiation and management of benefits contracts and vendor relationships to ensure competitive offerings and cost effectiveness. Provide executive oversight for the company’s 401(k) plan, including vendor relationships, fiduciary compliance, plan governance, and employee communication. Partner with finance and executive leadership to manage labor and benefit costs while supporting retention and workforce stability. HRIS & HR Operations Own HR technology strategy and HRIS vendor relationship, including selection, contract negotiation, implementation, optimization, and performance management. Ensure HR processes are efficient, scalable, compliant, and aligned across recruiting, onboarding, payroll, performance management, and reporting. Use metrics and workforce analytics to guide decision-making and improve outcomes. Talent Acquisition, Onboarding & Workforce Planning Oversee recruiting strategy and execution for hourly, salaried, leadership, and specialized roles across a multi-state footprint. Ensure onboarding processes are consistent, high-quality, and designed to improve early retention and productivity. Build workforce planning processes that support operational demands, business growth, and succession planning. Training, Leadership Development & Performance Management Recommend, select, and implement training programs for supervisors and managers, including: compliance training (harassment prevention, wage/hour, safety, union-related training) leadership and soft skills training (communication, coaching, accountability, conflict resolution) Establish leadership development practices that strengthen frontline leadership capability and reinforce company standards. Ensure performance management processes are practical, consistently applied, and drive accountability and employee development. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Lead HR due diligence and integration planning for mergers, acquisitions, and organizational growth initiatives. Evaluate workforce risks, compensation and benefits alignment, union implications, compliance exposure, and retention strategies. Drive integration of HR policies, culture, systems, and talent while maintaining business continuity and employee trust. Labor Relations & Union Negotiations Lead union strategy, labor relations, and negotiations, including preparation, bargaining, grievance management, and contract administration for approximately 100 employees. Maintain productive relationships with union representatives while protecting business continuity and operational flexibility. Provide guidance and coaching to leaders on union-related issues, discipline, and compliance with collective bargaining agreements. Team Leadership & Department Management Lead and develop a high-performing HR organization with functional responsibility for: Safety Recruiting Payroll Benefits HRIS Onboarding Performance Management Employee Relations Establish clear expectations, accountability, and development pathways for HR team members. Manage departmental budget, vendor performance, and service-level expectations. CANDIDATE PROFILE The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of executive leadership, strategic decision-making, and operational excellence within complex, growth-oriented organizations. Key qualifications include: Executive-level HR leadership experience in a multi-location, multi-state organization. Demonstrated success in building credibility with frontline employees and leaders at all levels. Strong working knowledge of employment law, wage and hour compliance, payroll practices, and workplace safety standards. Proven experience negotiating and managing vendor contracts, including HRIS, benefits providers, and retirement plan partners. Strong leadership training and development experience for supervisors and managers (compliance and soft skills). Robust M&A experience, including HR due diligence, integration, and organizational change management. High degree of integrity, discretion, loyalty, and sound judgment. Excellent communication, relationship-building, and conflict resolution skills. Preferred SPHR, SHRM-SCP, or similar credentials. Labor relations experience, including union contract negotiation and administration. Experience in distributed operations such as manufacturing, construction, industrial services, transportation, equipment, logistics, or other field-based environments. Demonstrated success scaling HR operations in a high-growth or acquisition-driven environment. Interested in Learning More? 180one is an executive search firm and is assisting Papé Group in this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Tom Haley / 503-334-1350 /  tom@180one.com  .
By Effie Zimmerman February 17, 2026
Sales Leader ABOUT THE COMPANY Organically Grown Company (“OGC” or the “Company”) is a leading organic produce distributor in the Pacific Northwest, committed to connecting growers, retailers, and consumers through a transparent, sustainable supply chain. As a mission-driven organization, OGC has built its reputation on deep grower partnerships, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to organic integrity. The Sales Leader will play a critical role in driving revenue growth, strengthening customer relationships, and leading a high-performing sales organization aligned with OGC’s values, strategic priorities, and long-term vision. ABOUT THE POSITION Reporting to the VP of Sales & Sourcing, this Sales Leader is responsible for and focused on ensuring the highest service levels for our customers. They are focused on leadership of the sales team, ensuring development, performance, morale, and retention. They provide primary leadership over product, pricing, actionable analytics, and promotions as main strategies to manage inventory and drive sales and profit. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Leading & Supervisory: Promote the development of flexible, adaptive, and innovative processes for use in new business growth by supporting and enabling an effective and efficient team approach. Provide leadership of the day-to-day operations of the sales department, while maintaining focus on the Company’s strategic goals. Promote safety, development, training, and evaluation of all sales team members. Collaborate organization-wide to support or lead projects and initiatives, facilitate process change, manage organizational change, and ensure success. Ensure proactive and effective collaboration and communication with all other departments for greater efficiency in support of service goals. Ensure proper levels of people growth and succession planning are in place and actively updated and refreshed. Foster a culture of belonging where people feel engaged and inspired. Support OGC sustainability goals and actively work to reduce environmental impact. Nurture, support, and promote the Company Mission, Values & Vision, and Brand. Exemplify OGC values: Cultivate Connection, Win on Service, Build Trust, and Move with Intention. Sales & Service: Develop and implement sales strategies, using analytics to set sales targets and provide guidance on associated sales actions, and forecast sales volume for both existing and new products. Develop and maintain a historical perspective on the marketplace to analyze and predict future trends and needs. Maintain familiarity with competitors’ products and services. Recommend changes in products, services, and sales policies by evaluating results and competitive developments. Stay current with new products and services offered by competitors, and with other trends in the organic produce industry. Develop and implement account management objectives, including key service metrics. Manage the negotiation of products with customers based on margin goals, which may include providing volume discounts or other agreements. Partner with the business development team to create onboarding plans for new business/new partnerships and grow existing accounts. Develop and sustain a sales culture of service & customer value creation. Develop and coordinate programs and processes for industry-leading customer service and sales to increase customer satisfaction, as measured with a trade survey annually. Work closely with Sourcing leadership to align demand planning and inventory strategies with sales growth. Responsible for developing and maintaining customer, grower, and vendor relationships. Travel as needed to meet with customers, attend and host at industry events, and nurture relationships. Analyze lead quality and sales trends to continually refine outreach strategies. Planning and Budgeting: Own budgeting, forecasting, and sales planning for the team. Manage the operational budget through a collaborative approach. Measure sales activities by developing key sales metrics, and ensure that these metrics are analyzed, reported on a regular basis, and adjusted accordingly to achieve OGC sales goals and objectives. Set departmental objectives and goals to align with OGC’s strategic plan, annual goals, and company initiatives. Provide strategic leadership for the future direction of the OGC Sales team in support of the OGC strategic plan and growth initiatives. QUALIFICATIONS 10+ years of progressive & successful sales experience, with at least 5+ years managing and coaching sales teams to meet and exceed sales goals. Preference for a deep understanding of the produce industry, including supply chain logistics, product characteristics, and quality control. Strategic planning and pricing experience. Strong knowledge of the channels of distribution of perishable products or related industries. Exceptional presentation, written and oral communication skills. Experience in fiscal management, including P&L’s, budgets, projections, cost control skills, and a proven track record of revenue generation and strong customer relationships. Excellent management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects concurrently. Interested in Learning More? 180one has been retained by OGC to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Lisa Heffernan / 971.256.3076/ lisa@180one.com .
By Effie Zimmerman February 11, 2026
Each year, 180one presents our Year in Review, sharing our insights into the overall executive talent market and recapping the work we performed on behalf of our clients throughout the year. To explore what we saw in years’ past, check out the Year in Review section of The Water Cooler.
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