--- title: "Topgrading: A Proven Method for Hiring High Performers with Scott Clawson" description: "Listen, Subscribe, and Leave a Review on: https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=27941751                    Scott Clawson is the Chairman and CEO of Cull" image: https://blog.topgrading.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Copy-of-Topgrading-LinkedIn-Talent-Wins-Podcast-Template-1-3.png --- [Go Back Up](https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast/resources/blog/topgrading-a-proven-method-for-hiring-high-performers-with-scott-clawson#top) [Skip to Content](https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast/resources/blog/topgrading-a-proven-method-for-hiring-high-performers-with-scott-clawson#body) [![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Logo%20-%20homepage.webp?width=339&height=68&name=Logo%20-%20homepage.webp)](https://www.topgrading.com) Toggle Menu - [Human Capital Governance](https://topgrading.com/human-capital-governance) - [Solutions](https://topgrading.com/solutions) Toggle children for Solutions Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Solutions - [Hiring](https://topgrading.com/hiring) - [Leadership](https://topgrading.com/leadership) - [Organization Design](https://topgrading.com/organization) - [Private Equity](https://topgrading.com/private-equity) - [Workshop](https://topgrading.com/topgradingworkshop) - [Our Firm](https://topgrading.com/our-firm) - Insights Toggle children for Insights Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Insights - [Blog](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog) - [Case Studies](https://blog.topgrading.com/case-studies) - [Podcast](https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast) - [Books](https://topgrading.com/books) - [eGuide](https://topgrading.com/eguide) - [Schedule a Call](https://topgrading.com/meetings/andywilliams-topgrading/30-minute-meeting) # Topgrading: A Proven Method for Hiring High Performers with Scott Clawson Sep 6, 2023, 12:00:00 AM [Topgrading Team](https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast/author/topgrading-team) 4 min read ![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Copy-of-Topgrading-LinkedIn-Talent-Wins-Podcast-Template-1-3.png?width=1000&name=Copy-of-Topgrading-LinkedIn-Talent-Wins-Podcast-Template-1-3.png) [mailto:?subject=Topgrading%3A%20A%20Proven%20Method%20for%20Hiring%20High%20Performers%20with%20Scott%20Clawson&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.topgrading.com%2Fpodcast%2Fresources%2Fblog%2Ftopgrading-a-proven-method-for-hiring-high-performers-with-scott-clawson](mailto:?subject=Topgrading%3A%20A%20Proven%20Method%20for%20Hiring%20High%20Performers%20with%20Scott%20Clawson&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.topgrading.com%2Fpodcast%2Fresources%2Fblog%2Ftopgrading-a-proven-method-for-hiring-high-performers-with-scott-clawson) [![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Copy-of-Topgrading-LinkedIn-Talent-Wins-Podcast-Template-1-300x157-3.png?width=367&height=192&name=Copy-of-Topgrading-LinkedIn-Talent-Wins-Podcast-Template-1-300x157-3.png)](https://blog.topgrading.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Copy-of-Topgrading-LinkedIn-Talent-Wins-Podcast-Template-1-3.png) Listen, Subscribe, and Leave a Review on: https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item\_id=27941751 [![amazon music logo](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/amazon-music-1-Nov-26-2024-03-48-50-0605-AM.jpeg?width=202&height=50&name=amazon-music-1-Nov-26-2024-03-48-50-0605-AM.jpeg)](https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Wins/dp/B08K55H81J/)  [![apple podcasts logo](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/apple-podcasts-1-Nov-26-2024-03-48-48-1689-AM.jpeg?width=196&height=66&name=apple-podcasts-1-Nov-26-2024-03-48-48-1689-AM.jpeg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talent-wins/id1554290474?ls=1) ![google podcasts logo](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/google-podcasts-1024x144-Nov-26-2024-03-48-49-7564-AM.png?width=228&height=32&name=google-podcasts-1024x144-Nov-26-2024-03-48-49-7564-AM.png) [![iheart radio logo](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iheart-radio-1-Nov-26-2024-03-48-48-9349-AM.jpg?width=177&height=55&name=iheart-radio-1-Nov-26-2024-03-48-48-9349-AM.jpg)](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-talent-wins-79670354/)      [![playerfm logo](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/player-fm-1-Nov-26-2024-03-48-49-1620-AM.jpeg?width=192&height=54&name=player-fm-1-Nov-26-2024-03-48-49-1620-AM.jpeg)](https://player.fm/series/talent-wins)  [![spotify logo](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/spotify-1024x307-Nov-26-2024-03-48-48-6814-AM.png?width=188&height=56&name=spotify-1024x307-Nov-26-2024-03-48-48-6814-AM.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/7oOXzww4XZowySAh0g4G9W) [![stitcher logo](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/stitcher-1024x425-Nov-26-2024-03-48-50-2560-AM.png?width=163&height=68&name=stitcher-1024x425-Nov-26-2024-03-48-50-2560-AM.png)](https://www.stitcher.com/show/talent-wins)        [![tune in logo](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/tunein-1024x451-Nov-26-2024-03-48-50-5982-AM.png?width=137&height=60&name=tunein-1024x451-Nov-26-2024-03-48-50-5982-AM.png)](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Talent-Wins-p1401931/) Scott Clawson is the Chairman and CEO of Culligan International, an 80-year-old global brand leader in water services and solutions, serving over 140 million consumers. Under his leadership, he spearheaded the acquisition of Culligan by BDT Capital Partners for $6 billion. Scott began his career at Alcoa, and since then, he’s led The GSI Group — a $700+ million global manufacturer — and RYKO Enterprises — the largest North American vehicle wash provider — as President and CEO. Scott also served as President of Danaher, an international science and technology corporation. ## In this episode… A vacant position has negative consequences for a company, especially if it remains unfilled for an extended period. Perhaps it’s one of the reasons why organizations fill jobs hastily. So, how can hiring managers ensure they make the ideal acquisitions? Business leader and veteran CEO Scott Clawson was introduced to the Topgrading methodology several years ago during his first tenure as an executive leader. Since then, he’s adopted the hiring process as the gold standard. Scott recommends that hiring teams mandate processes such as assessments, tandem and competency interviews, scorecards, and work history references. These procedures evaluate candidates' abilities, observe body language, verify achievements, and eliminate red flags. Additionally, if candidates advance to the next stage of the hiring process, recruiters should arrange a lunch or dinner interview to gauge an aspirant's cultural compatibility with the company. The Topgrading approach aims to be a foolproof interview practice that guarantees attracting, hiring, and retaining top performers. In this episode of the *Talent Wins* podcast *,* Chris Mursau chats with Scott Clawson , Chairman and CEO of Culligan International, about the significance of acquiring A Players, common hiring mistakes, and why it’s vital for a CEO to have a partnership with the CHRO. ## Resources Mentioned in this episode - [Chris Mursau on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mursau-037708/)  - [Topgrading on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/topgrading-inc-) - [Topgrading](https://topgrading.com/) - [*Topgrading (How to Hire, Coach and Keep a Players)* by Brad Smart](https://www.amazon.com/Topgrading-Hire-Coach-Keep-Players/dp/094400234X) - [Brad Smart on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradsmart/) - [Scott Clawson on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-clawson-a1086ab/) - [Culligan Water](https://www.culligan.com/)  ## Topgrading Team ## Ready to Transform your Business with Little Effort Using Brightlane? [Register Now](https://www.example.com) You May Like These ## Related Articles ![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Chad%20Franzen.png?width=700&name=Chad%20Franzen.png) ### [Foolproof Hiring: A Guide for Building High-Achieving Teams with Topgrading's President, Chris Mursau](https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast/resources/blog/foolproof-hiring-a-guide-for-building-high-achieving-teams-with-topgradings-president-chris-mursau) ![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Chris%20Mursau%20Headshot.jpg?width=700&name=Chris%20Mursau%20Headshot.jpg) ### [How To Hire Employees That Fit Your Company’s Culture with Todd Perlman](https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast/resources/blog/how-to-hire-employees-that-fit-your-companys-culture-with-todd-perlman) ![](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2022-10-19-at-11_13_16-AM-2.png?width=700&name=Screen-Shot-2022-10-19-at-11_13_16-AM-2.png) ### [Why the Interview is Key to Develop an Outstanding Business with Chuck Cohen](https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast/resources/blog/why-the-interview-is-key-to-develop-an-outstanding-business-with-chuck-cohen) [![logo-footer](https://blog.topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/white%20logo-1.png?width=244&height=50&name=white%20logo-1.png "logo-footer")](https://topgrading.com/) - 100 S Saunders Rd Ste 150 Lake Forest, IL 60045 - (847) 244-5544 - [info@topgrading.com](mailto:info@topgrading.com) [Contact Us](https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-mursau/privateequity) #### Subscribe to Our Newsletter ##### Quick Links - [Human Capital Governance](https://topgrading.com/human-capital-governance) - [Solutions](https://topgrading.com/solutions) - [Private Equity](https://topgrading.com/private-equity) - [Our Firm](https://topgrading.com/our-firm) - [Leadership](https://topgrading.com/leadership) - [Hiring](https://topgrading.com/hiring) - [Organizational Design](https://topgrading.com/organization) - [Topgrading in the AI Era Workshop](https://topgrading.com/foolproof-hiring) - [Case Studies](https://blog.topgrading.com/case-studies) ##### Website Policy ##### [Client Portal](https://client.topgrading.com/membership-login/) © 2026 Topgrading. All Right Reserved. - - ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Topgrading Team", "url" : "https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast/author/topgrading-team" }, "dateModified" : "2024-11-26T03:49:08.495Z", "datePublished" : "2023-09-06T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Topgrading: A Proven Method for Hiring High Performers with Scott Clawson", "image" : [ "https://blog.topgrading.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Copy-of-Topgrading-LinkedIn-Talent-Wins-Podcast-Template-1-3.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast/resources/blog/topgrading-a-proven-method-for-hiring-high-performers-with-scott-clawson", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.topgrading.com/hubfs/Logos/Logo%20-%20homepage.webp" }, "name" : "Topgrading, Inc." } } ```