This season on Build Mode, we’re breaking down what it really takes to build a world-class team — and that starts with hiring the right people the first time.
This week, we’re joined by Sarah Lucena, founder and CEO of Mappa, a behavioral intelligence platform that uses voice AI to decode human behavior in under 60 seconds. After rebuilding teams over and over again early in her career, Sarah set out to answer the question, Why do “great on paper” candidates fail to flourish after they’re hired?
In this episode, she explains how Mappa analyzes thousands of voice biomarkers, from speech patterns to linguistic signals, to build behavioral profiles and match candidates based on compatibility, not just the on-paper credentials. They help their clients make the right hire the first time, saving crucial time and money.
She breaks down:
- Why most hiring decisions are still a gamble.
- Compatibility vs. similarity (and why it matters).
- How voice biomarkers reveal behavioral traits.
- How to reduce bias without lowering the bar.
- How founders should think about building aligned teams.
Whether you’re hiring your first employee or scaling a fast-growing startup, this episode will change the way you think about talent, team dynamics, and what it really means to be a “fit.”
New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Hosted by Isabelle Johannessen. Produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience development led by Morgan Little. Special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.