Episode 40

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Published on:

26th Dec 2025

Ep40: Behaviours Over Labels: Writing Role Definitions AI Can Follow

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Summary

In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss various themes surrounding football recruitment, particularly focusing on the importance of role definitions and behaviours over labels.

They explore how clear role definitions can enhance recruitment processes, reduce noise in discussions, and improve the effectiveness of AI tools in scouting. The conversation also touches on personal topics, such as Christmas dinner traditions, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.

Takeaways

The importance of clear role definitions in recruitment.
Labels can create confusion and recruitment errors.
Behavioral traits should be prioritized over vague labels.
AI tools can enhance recruitment if used correctly.
Understanding trade-offs is crucial in recruitment discussions.
Availability is a key factor in player recruitment.
Christmas dinner traditions can vary widely among families.
Effective communication reduces noise in recruitment meetings.
Behavior-based role definitions can help align recruitment teams.
The podcast aims to provide insights into football recruitment processes.

We hope you had a fantastic and very Merry Christmas!!

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About the Podcast

A.I. In Football

Recruitment Decisions, Done Properly.

AI in Football: Recruitment Decisions, Done Properly is a practical podcast about how football clubs make better recruitment decisions in an AI world — without the hype.

We don’t chase novelty tools. We focus on the thinking and structure that makes any tool useful: clear role briefs, behaviours over labels, constraints and trade-offs, repeatable shortlisting, and decision review that actually improves the process.

Each episode gives you something you can use:

- Role Definition Templates (behaviour-based, not position labels)

- Question sets that lead to better shortlists

- Meeting Structures that stop recruitment becoming a persuasion contest

- Simple Ways to Stress-Test Decisions (“what would make this wrong?”)

- How AI Fits Safely: drafting, checking, standardising outputs — never replacing judgement

If you work in recruitment, scouting, analysis, coaching, or you’re aiming to, this show is for you. Clarity First. Tools Second.

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About your hosts

Thomas Butterfield

I'm a very approachable obsessive learner who is always interested in the stories of others, and how that information and experience can be used to help others move the needle of their life in a positive direction.

As a result of the work I do adults and younger people understand the importance of being an active participant in their own health.

The result of this is we at Elevate Health Chiropractic and Wellbeing are putting better educated individuals into the community who are making better health decisions for themselves and those they care for the most.
They move better, they eat better, they think better.

They Feel Better.

We are always looking to work with and help individuals and organisations who value their own health, that of their family, or their staff high enough to take that next step with Elevate Health, Chiropractic and Wellbeing.

David Bromley

For the last fifteen years I have applied my analytical, systems-evaluation and financial background to the football industry.

As a long-term student of the game I hold coaching badges from the English Football Association and am a certified member of the Professional Football Scouts Association.

I hold distinctions in the Prozone (STATS) Professional Performance Analysis/ Performance Data & Recruitment Certificates Levels 1,2 & 3 in addition to being an F.A. Registered Intermediary.

My experience in football has enabled me to view player recruitment from the 'sharp end' and allows me to tailor my service to meet clients' best interests.