The Tech Leader's Playbook

Welcome to your weekly playbook for tech leadership - where founders, executives, and innovators share real strategies for scaling smarter and leading stronger. Hosted by Avetis Antaplyan, Founder and CEO of HIRECLOUT, a top tech and go-to-market recruitment agency.

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Why Tech Leaders Should Hire Great People or Leave the Seat Empty
147
Sept. 9, 2026

Why Tech Leaders Should Hire Great People or Leave the Seat Empty

In this solo episode of the Tech Leaders Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan shares how HIRECLOUT navigated rapid growth, a tightening technology market, organizational complexity, and the consequences of settling for “good enough.” He breaks down why great people create momentum, how poor hiring decisions compound across an organization, and why leaders must take responsibility for the standards they tolerate. The conversation also explores client selection, onboarding, operational focus, simplifying co
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How Scaling Companies Should Hire for the Next Stage, Not Today’s Vacancy
148
Aug. 28, 2026

How Scaling Companies Should Hire for the Next Stage, Not Today’s Vacancy

In this solo episode of the Tech Leaders Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan explains why the right person in the wrong environment can still become the wrong hire. Avetis breaks down how leaders can evaluate candidates based on the problems they have actually solved, the environments where they perform best, and the stage of growth they have helped companies navigate. He explores common hiring mistakes, better executive interview questions, how to assess recruiting and executive search partners, and whe
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How AI Agents Are Forcing a Rethink of Enterprise Identity Security
146
Aug. 20, 2026

How AI Agents Are Forcing a Rethink of Enterprise Identity Security

In this episode of The Tech Leader’s Playbook, Jason Martin shares the founder decisions behind building Permiso, from interviewing 100 enterprise security leaders before writing code to creating a new cybersecurity market before most buyers understood the problem. He breaks down product-market fit, go-to-market challenges, fundraising pressure, co-CEO leadership, startup resilience, and the realities of selling a company. The conversation also explores AI agents, non-human identities, identity
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Why Founders Regret Selling Within the First Year | Peter Goldstein
146
Aug. 14, 2026

Why Founders Regret Selling Within the First Year | Peter Goldstein

In this episode of The Tech Leader’s Playbook, Peter Goldstein, entrepreneur, investor, CEO, and founder of Integrated CEO, shares lessons from nearly four decades of building, exiting, and advising companies. He explains why transferability matters more than short-term performance, how founders can prepare early for an exit without committing to sell, and what buyers actually evaluate when pricing risk. The conversation also explores SPACs, M&A integration, company culture, founder dependency,
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If AI Replaces the Career Ladder, How Will Leaders Be Developed?
145
Aug. 5, 2026

If AI Replaces the Career Ladder, How Will Leaders Be Developed?

In this solo episode of The Tech Leader’s Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan examines how artificial intelligence, workforce efficiency, and headcount reduction affect talent development and succession planning. He explains why repetitive work can be automated without eliminating career pathways, how middle managers translate strategy into execution, and why companies cannot rely exclusively on external executive hiring. This episode is essential for CEOs, CTOs, technology leaders, HR executives, invest
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Why Most Executives Are Implementing AI All Wrong | Harry Glorikian
144
July 22, 2026

Why Most Executives Are Implementing AI All Wrong | Harry Glorikian

In this episode of The Tech Leader’s Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan speaks with technology executive, investor, author, and MIT Media Lab affiliate researcher Harry Glorikian about how AI is changing business at the operating-model level. Drawing from his book The Invisible Interface, Harry explains why domain experts may outperform pure technologists, how AI agents could enable billion-dollar companies with remarkably small teams, and why traditional software businesses face growing disruption. The
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About the Hosts

Avetis Antaplyan Profile Photo
Avetis Antaplyan

Founder & CEO, HIRECLOUT

Avetis is a dynamic CEO, visionary leader, and a Go-Giver with an undeniable track record in the Technology Recruiting and Consulting space. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, advisor, and investor and as the driving force behind HIRECLOUT, a premier Global Tech Recruiting and Consulting company and an Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing company, Avetis continues to shape the future with innovation and generosity. His relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to giving back make him a true inspiration to all. Join him on a journey of growth and success that leaves a positive impact on businesses worldwide.

Nickolas Natali Profile Photo
Nickolas Natali

Podcast Producer

Meet Nickolas Natali, the podcast influencer and network building expert, as featured on Business Insider. With a top 1% podcast, The Nickolas Natali Show, boasting over 160 episodes and a global listenership across 30 countries, he has created a platform that attracts celebrity guests and A-list influencers alike. Beyond his successful show, Nickolas takes pride in producing The Tech Leader's Playbook, making a profound impact in the world of podcasts and leadership.