EP339: Building a High-Performance Culture That Works - Max Learmonth, Founder of Forge Talent

The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast returns with Lysha Holmes joined by Max Learmonth, Founder of Forge Talent, for a candid conversation about recruitment, authenticity, culture and what it really takes to build a high-performing team.

Max is known for his unapologetically honest presence on LinkedIn, so Lysha starts by exploring the thinking behind his content, why authenticity matters, and why recruiters and founders should focus on being themselves rather than copying what everyone else is doing.

The conversation then moves into the foundations of Forge Talent’s growth, including Max’s relationship-led approach to business development and why face-to-face meetings remain such a powerful tool for understanding clients, their businesses and their cultures. Max shares why Forge Talent expects its team to meet 8–12 people every week and how getting out into the market accelerates industry knowledge, credibility and relationships.

A major focus of the episode is high performance. What does it actually mean? How do you recognise high-potential recruiters? And how do you create a culture where ambitious people can challenge the status quo and grow together?

Max discusses the qualities he looks for, including high energy, enthusiasm, curiosity, accountability, continuous learning and collaboration — while also sharing advice for people looking to break into recruitment and find the right company culture for them.

The episode also looks ahead to Forge Talent’s plans for growth, including its new 30-person office, expanding team and ambition to become a dominant recruitment business in the North West.

🔗 Connect with the guest

Max Learmonth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-learmonth-17913782/

Forge Talent: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forge-talent-rec/

🔗 Connect with the host

Lysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/

Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/

The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast is proud to be part of the Recruitment Podcast Network: https://recruitmentpodcastnetwork.com

Follow the podcast on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpod

https://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/

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The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger and Atlas, and partnered with Bristow & Hardy and Keybridge IT Solutions.

Our sponsors:

Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.

Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/

Atlas - Imagine a recruitment platform that was built from the ground up using the latest in generative AI technology. A platform that combines your favourite 10 tools into one simple UI with perfect integration out of the box. Imagine all your mundane tasks automated. The result? You'll generate 50% more revenue.

Find out more about Atlas: https://recruitwithatlas.com/

Our partners:

Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.

https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/

Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.

https://www.keybridgeit.com/

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