Check out Cole’s new website colenapper.com!

Join Cole and Scott on this episode of Directionally Correct as they dive into the world of workforce planning with their guest, Ross Sparkman, Head of Workforce Planning at Nutrien and Author of Strategic Workforce Planning. Discover how the military's logistical prowess served as a foundational experience for Ross in mapping out effective workforce strategies.

Listen in as Ross shares insights from his time at prestigious companies like Nike and Walmart, and how those experiences shaped his views on strategic workforce planning. The discussion navigates through the integration of AI in workforce strategies and how Nutrien is at the forefront of this transformation.

Tune in as they explore the evolution of workforce planning, the lessons learned from past corporate experiences, and the role of AI in reshaping the future of work. If you’re intrigued by the intersections of technology and workforce strategy, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Check out Cole’s new website colenapper.com!

This engaging episode of the people analytics podcast "Directionally Correct" features Cole and special guest Dr. Gina Thoebes, VP of Organizational Performance at the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team. Gina shares insightful strategies on leadership development within high-stakes environments, drawing from her extensive experience in the NFL and her previous roles at the Cleveland Clinic and Macy's. She highlights the importance of self-awareness, capabilities, and versatility in leaders and how sports and business office leaders share this focus on continuous improvement.

The conversation uncovers the role of science and data in leadership coaching, emphasizing staying grounded in evidence-based practices and mindful approaches. Gina also explains her unique position within the Cardinals as a pioneering VP role and the significant demand for effective leadership development programs. They delve into the role of people analytics in modern HR, exploring the potential shift towards generative AI and its transformation in HR functions.

Besides professional insights, the episode offers personal anecdotes and humorous accounts from Gina’s diverse career journey, making for an informative yet entertaining discussion. This episode is a comprehensive mix of leadership lessons, practical applications, and forward-thinking strategies for professionals eager to advance in analytics and organizational performance roles.

You can find Gina's website: stellapolarisexecdev.com here

Check out Cole’s new website colenapper.com!

Welcome to 'Directionally Correct' with Cole and Scott, a podcast dedicated to educating and entertaining listeners on the nuances of people analytics. In this enlightening episode, they are joined by renowned guests Kristin Cullen-Lester and Greg Pryor, editors of the influential book, 'The Social Capital Imperative.'

Delve into the fascinating world of social network analysis and organizational network analysis as the guests share insightful distinctions between social and human capital. Listen as they explore the critical role social capital plays in organizational success, drawing from real-world examples and case studies presented in their extensive book. Discover how a focus on networks can aid organizational strategy, enhance team dynamics, and unlock hidden potential within your professional connections.

Whether you are an academic, a practitioner, or simply curious about the pulse of organizations, this episode offers rich perspectives and invaluable knowledge. Don't miss the discussion on how social capital strategies can determine the success of tasks like managing a merger or fostering innovation within an organization.

Craig Starbuck, the Founder and CEO of OrgAcuity, joins the Directionally Correct podcast for our latest HR Tech Voices episode of 2025. If you like what you hear in this episode, check out OrgAcuity here: https://www.orgacuity.com/

Join us on this episode of Directionally Correct, hosted by Cole and Scott, where we sit down with Craig Starbuck, the insightful co-founder and CEO of OrgAcuity. Craig shares his journey from engineering to people analytics, emphasizing the power of employee voice and the formation of OrgAcuity to revolutionize employee listening and people analytics.

Discover the nuances of workplace dynamics, leader effectiveness, and how predictive data can drive organizational success. We explore the innovative use of AI and network analytics to enhance decision-making and foster actionable insights. From discussing the barriers of traditional feedback to unveiling the role of social capital, this conversation provides a comprehensive look at how OrgAcuity is reshaping the HR landscape and making sophisticated analytics accessible to all organizations.

Check out Cole’s new website colenapper.com! Welcome to an engaging episode of Directionally Correct, a podcast dedicated to people analytics. Join our host as he sits down with the insightful Scott Reida from Amazon Web Services to delve into a myriad of topics transforming the workforce landscape.

This episode kicks off with a humorous anecdote about feline interruptions before diving into the crux of the conversation - the Rule of 72 and its implications for workforce skill obsolescence. Scott explains this rule's origin in finance and fascinatingly applies it to people analytics, offering insights into how job roles evolve over time with skill replacement becoming a necessity.

The discussion meanders through intriguing topics, including the use of machine learning models like GPTs in predicting talent hub success, drawing parallels to traditional linked data sharing in the people analytics space, and innovative ways to stay ahead in the field.

The conversation explores the intriguing intersection of AI advancements, productivity, and salary structures, touching upon the theory of how AI might lead to job equality in pay scales.

Tune in for a vibrant chat that not only educates but also enlivens the understanding of contemporary challenges and innovations in people analytics.

In this engaging episode of Directionally Correct, host Cole sits down with Yuyan Sun, the head of people analytics and systems at Motive. Yuyan shares her fascinating journey from growing up in a small village in China, where she didn't attend school until third grade, to becoming a leader in the field of people analytics. The conversation delves into her unique upbringing, the cultural adjustments she faced after moving to America, and how her early life experiences shaped her natural observant nature and analytical skills.

The episode also explores the evolving landscape of people analytics, the challenges of building credibility in the field, and the transformative impact of AI on this domain. Throughout the discussion, Yuyan and Cole reflect on the importance of storytelling and understanding human behavior in creating meaningful insights within organizations. Join us for an inspiring story of overcoming obstacles, embracing cultural differences, and championing diversity in the workplace.

• Evolution of People Analytics in the Last 10 Year - Yuyan & Cole

• LLMs are already more persuasive than humans - Mollick

• Who are Fortune 50 CHROs?

• What employees add the most value?

In this engaging episode of Directionally Correct, hosted by Cole & Scott, we dive into the world of executive development and coaching with guest Ingen Fitzhugh, Head of Executive Development and Coaching at AWS. Ingen shares her unique insights into the evolution of leadership development, drawing on her extensive experience to discuss the challenges and strategies involved in nurturing leadership at all organizational levels.

We venture beyond the corporate lens, as Ingen recounts amusing personal anecdotes about the intelligence of crows and her experiences growing up in the San Juan Islands. This episode takes listeners on a journey through the dynamics of leadership, the role of coaching, and the ever-important human connection in remote work settings.

Join us for this episode, which balances humor, personal stories, and professional insights, offering listeners valuable perspectives on how to enhance their leadership skills and navigate the modern workplace.

• Myth of the Hawthorne Effect

• How Much Do We Trust Remote Managers?

• Gen AI and Shifting Work Patterns

In this episode of Directionally Correct, host Cole engages with Angela Le Mathon, the fractional Chief AI Officer and former VP of People Data and Analytics at GSK. They discuss the evolving role of AI in people analytics, the complexities of managing diverse teams, and the importance of storytelling in data interpretation. Angela shares her experiences with deploying AI solutions in HR, discusses cultural influences on her approach to leadership, and explores the challenges of translating complex data into actionable strategies for CHROs. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes, including Angela's Francophone upbringing and her journey across different countries, shaping her unique perspective in the analytics space.

• Attraction Selection Attrition doesn't work right? Wrong.

• Meta-analysis of faking on personality tests

• No one has cracked AI for analytics