Ward: Recruiters are confidence engines, not the ultimate hiring decision-makers
Adam Ward · The playbook for building high talent density teams | Adam Ward, Head of Talent at Cursor · Aug 9, 2026 · at 28:11
Adam Ward (Head of Talent at Cursor) discusses the role of recruiters and hiring manager accountability with Lenny Rachitsky.
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“I think a lot of companies recruiting owns the hiring goal. And I've yet to be in a company where recruiters are making hiring decisions. So these things are in conflict. Hiring managers or leaders or committees are making hiring decisions. And I feel like the recruiter's goal is really about helping provide confidence to that hiring manager to make the right decision. They're a confidence engine. They're not a decision-making engine.”
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