The Subtle Energetics of Hiring: How Words and Approach Shape Workplace Culture
Many businesses today are struggling to find the right people. Despite offering meaningful roles and competitive pay, they find themselves sifting through candidates who don’t seem aligned, dealing with high turnover, or wondering why the best applicants seem to slip away.
What if the challenge isn’t just about finding the right people—but about how they’re being invited in?
Hiring isn’t just about skill-matching; it’s an energetic exchange. The way businesses communicate their roles, expectations, and values directly shapes who they attract. Even the smallest details—such as the phrasing of a job post or the tone of an interview—can unconsciously create resistance or trust.
As someone who has worked in caregiving and support roles, I recently had an experience that highlighted this dynamic. The opportunity itself seemed like a good fit, but the way the hiring process was framed left me feeling uneasy. Instead of an invitation, the initial communication felt like a test—an unspoken “prove yourself” energy rather than a genuine exploration of mutual alignment.
This moment led me to a deeper realisation: Many organisations unknowingly create barriers for the very people they want to attract.
Fear-Based Hiring vs. Trust-Based Hiring
Of course, businesses need to be diligent—especially in fields like caregiving, where safety and integrity are paramount. However, there is a fine line between thoroughness and an underlying tone of distrust.
A hiring process built on skepticism can send the wrong signal to high-quality candidates. When job seekers feel they must constantly prove themselves before even stepping into a role, it creates an energetic mismatch—especially for professionals who are deeply values-driven.
A simple but powerful shift is moving from a mindset of filtering out unfit candidates to attracting in the right ones. Instead of asking, “Can you prove that you’re good enough?”, businesses can shift toward “How can we co-create a work environment where the right people naturally thrive?”
How Language and Energy Shape Hiring
The way a job opportunity is framed influences the type of candidate it attracts. Small but intentional language shifts can create a more welcoming and aligned hiring process.
From skepticism to curiosity → Instead of “What is your motivation for applying?”, try “What excites you about this opportunity?”
From proving to aligning → Instead of “Tell us why you’re qualified”, try “Let’s explore how your skills and values align with this role.”
From separation to collaboration → Instead of “We need to assess if you’re a fit”, try “Let’s have a conversation about how we can work well together.”
These may seem like subtle shifts, but they change the entire energy of the hiring process. They communicate, “We see you as a potential asset, not a potential problem.”
Creating a Culture That Attracts the Right People
Businesses that struggle to find the right employees often unknowingly push them away through rigid hiring processes, overly cautious wording, or an energy of distrust. Shifting toward a trust-based approach doesn’t mean lowering standards—it means creating a culture where the right people feel seen, valued, and naturally drawn in.
Instead of filtering out candidates based on fear, businesses can:
✅ Use language that reflects openness, collaboration, and shared purpose.
✅ Ensure that the hiring process mirrors the work culture they want to build.
✅ Recognise that the best employees are not just looking for a paycheck—they are looking for a place where they feel respected and inspired to contribute.
The most successful teams aren’t built solely on credentials and background checks. They are built through alignment, trust, and shared vision. When businesses understand this, they don’t just hire better people—they attract them.
Are you rethinking how you approach hiring in your business? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your insights or experiences in the comments below, or reach out to explore how trust-based hiring can transform your workplace.