Forget Job Boards: The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon Approach to Finding Great People

Yesterday, a potential client asked me a question that got me thinking:

How do you know if you have the right people to get the job done?

It’s a fair question. In a world where recruitment is often a numbers game, where hiring platforms flood inboxes with resumes, and AI-driven assessments attempt to gauge fit, our approach is different.

At REO, we don’t recruit - we work with industry experts who are introduced to REO exclusively based on referrals.

The Kevin Bacon rule – but for on-demand specialists.

We’ve all heard of the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon – the idea that any actor in Hollywood can be linked to Kevin Bacon in six steps or less. Well, in REO world, we don’t work with six degrees of separation – we look for two.

Here’s what that means:

1. Our specialists come recommended. Someone in my trusted network has worked with them, collaborated with them, and vouches for their skills, reliability, and integrity.

2. We've seen their work or experienced their impact. Whether directly or indirectly, we know the quality they bring and the standards they uphold.

If a specialist meets both of these criteria, we know we can trust them. And in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment where clients rely on us to deliver excellence, trust is everything.

Referrals beat recruitment.

Recruitment relies on polished resumes, well-rehearsed interviews, and algorithmic keyword matches. But none of those things tell you the full story. They don’t reveal:

• How someone works under pressure.

• Whether they take ownership or pass the buck.

• If they can collaborate seamlessly within a team.

• Whether they elevate those around them.

Referrals, on the other hand, come with context. When someone from our networks tells us, "You need to work with this person", We're not just getting skills – We're getting trust, reliability, and a proven track record.

The qualities that matter most.

At REO, we are a collective of specialists, not a roster of hires. That distinction matters. REOites (as we call our team) share a set of key traits:

• Expertise – They don’t just do the work; they excel at it.

• Integrity – They take ownership, deliver on their promises, and don’t cut corners.

• Collaboration – They thrive in a team setting, knowing that collective success is the goal.

• Adaptability – They’re not just specialists; they’re problem solvers who navigate change with ease.

• Reputation – They are known and respected in their field.

The power of a trusted collective.

Building a business is about more than just scaling – it’s about scaling smart. When every person in our collective is someone we’d stake our reputation on, it creates a ripple effect. Clients feel it. Projects flow more seamlessly. Trust is embedded at every level.

When someone asks me, “How do you know if you have good people to get the job done?

REO has a simple answer.

If they come recommended by someone we trust and we know their work, then we know they’re good.

Because in REO world, talent isn’t just about skills – it’s about trust, reputation, and the strength of your network.