The Art of Due Diligence: Q&A with CIA Officer Phil Houston on Detecting Deceptive Behavior in Business and Finance

When it comes to due diligence, many investors focus on analyzing financial statements and numbers. However, a critical component of due diligence that is often overlooked is the art of questioning and interrogating senior executives and employees to uncover the truth about a company’s business model. In this episode of Odd Lots, we spoke with Phil ‘Dick’ Houston, a seasoned CIA officer with expertise in detecting lies.

Phil has authored a book on the subject and has worked closely with entrepreneur Brad Jacobs, assisting in due diligence processes for senior hires and potential investments. During our conversation with Phil, he shared valuable insights into his approach for identifying deceptive behavior and how this methodology can be applied in the corporate world.

Phil’s extensive experience and unique perspective shed light on the importance of asking the right questions and challenging assumptions during the due diligence process. By learning how to spot lies and uncover hidden truths, investors and business leaders can make more informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

If you want to learn more about Phil Houston’s strategies for detecting deception and how they can be utilized in the world of business and finance, be sure to listen to this episode of Odd Lots on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Odd Lots newsletter for additional insights and updates on future episodes.