In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Damian Rhodes, founder of Talent Diagnostic Solutions, about his career journey and insights into leadership and recruitment in Japan. Damian shares his unique background, beginning with a year as a monk, and discusses important lessons from that time. He emphasizes the human-centered approach in recruitment and the significance of understanding cultural nuances, especially when working in Asia. They also delve into the role of AI in recruitment, the characteristics necessary for effective leadership, and the importance of flexibility, purpose, and communication in today's global business environment.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

•  Damien's unique journey from monk to a leading figure in recruitment
• The challenges of bridging cultural gaps in international recruitment
• Key strategies for human-centered recruitment in multicultural settings
• Insights into the evolving role of AI in recruitment and its impacts
• The current trends in recruitment that every leader should be aware of

Damian Rhodes has an unusual background, having spent a year as a monk before working in commercial due diligence with CiL Management Consultants / Ernst & Young. He later embarked on a 24-year recruitment career across the UK and Asia, encompassing executive search, workforce planning, and employee engagement. He has also helped organisations

establish recruitment process outsourcing, run large-scale hiring programs, and helped organisations make sense of artificial intelligence in talent acquisition.

Damian is the founder of Talent Diagnostic Solutions, a consultancy that helps organisations make smarter people decisions across recruitment, engagement, and performance. He is a certified organisational coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching & Leadership, as well as a Maxwell Leadership Certified Trainer and Public Speaker. He partners with leaders across industries to unlock potential, build high-performing teams, and drive sustainable growth.

He lives near Bath with his wife, May, and their four young children. Outside of work, he enjoys coffee, comedy, and Dad jokes. Damian was recently elected President of his local BNI Chapter and as he's not busy enough he is about to start studying for CIPD Level 7 to formalise his HR expertise!

Connect with Damian:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianrhodes/

Damian Rhodes Coaching & Advisory: https://damianrhodes.com/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.