Episodes

  • People Analytics & AI’s Real-World Impact at FedEx with Cole Napper

    People Analytics & AI’s Real-World Impact at FedEx with Cole Napper
    Nov 6 2024
    Cole Napper, FedEx’s Global Head of People Analytics, joined us to explore the real versus ideal roles of AI in HR and people analytics, focusing on practical application and real-world impact. Cole highlighted AI’s current limitations, especially the problem of “anti-productive work,” where technology demands extra effort rather than reducing it. His perspective emphasizes the need for critical thinking in analytics to ensure AI truly serves organizational goals.

    Cole also talked about the structural improvements required to enhance data quality and discussed how people analytics teams need to evolve for AI to make a meaningful difference. His pragmatic vision challenges the hype surrounding AI and reframes it as a tool to support strategic decision-making rather than an all-encompassing solution.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • Introducing our conversation with Cole Napper of FedEx [00:22]
    • Why AI should focus on productive work [02:10]
    • How specialized agents could reshape HR technology and analytics workflows [03:10]
    • Whether we are expecting too much from AI too soon in people analytics [07:00]
    • The disconnect between vendors’ AI promises and actual user experience [08:20]
    • Whether AI is driving value within organizations or merely adding costs [14:00]
    • Why critical thinking is a core skill for leveraging AI in people analytics [17:10]
    • The "Inquisitor and Change Agent" model and how it improves analytics impact [21:10]
    • How AI can evolve from repetitive data tasks to strategic roles [22:00]
    • Whether modular tools and specialized AI agents could be the future [41:30]

    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Directionally Correct podcast by Cole Napper and Scott Hines
    • "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
    • Nvidia
    Connect with Cole Napper
    • Cole Napper on LinkedIn
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

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    50 mins
  • Why Social Network Perspective Matters with Greg Pryor

    Why Social Network Perspective Matters with Greg Pryor
    Oct 23 2024
    Could your network be the key to your career success and organizational growth? In this episode of Workplace Stories, we chat with Greg Pryor, author of the upcoming book, “The Social Capital Imperative.”

    Greg explains how social capital—our connections and relationships—drives business outcomes, sparks innovation, and boosts career growth. With the pandemic reshaping work, he argues that shifting from internal networks to open, cross-functional ones is crucial for success today.Greg shares practical strategies for making network-building accessible to individuals, teams, and organizations.

    He highlights how AI and technology can help unlock the potential of networks, focusing on measurable outcomes. His passion for helping organizations harness the power of social networks makes a strong case for why networks matter in the modern workplace.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • How focusing on people and networks—not just technology—drives workplace results [1:00]
    • Nine key use cases for network analysis, ranging from career growth to cultural change [2:40]
    • How Post Malone’s collaborations illustrate the power of networks in boosting success [9:00]
    • How “energizing influencers” like Dolly Parton can spark organizational transformation [14:00]
    • How the pandemic shifted networks from open to closed, impacting innovation [29:00]
    • Building networks for career growth, even without organizational support [39:20]
    • How AI can make network analysis more accessible and actionable [44:18]

    Resources & People Mentioned
    • The Social Capital Imperative
    • Organizational Network Analysis (ONA)
    • Amy Edmondson’s work on Psychological Safety
    • Rob Cross - network analysis expert
    • John Boudreau
    Connect with Greg Pryor
    • Greg Pryor on LinkedIn
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

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    47 mins
  • Redefining Learning and Development at McKinsey: Lisa Christensen

    Redefining Learning and Development at McKinsey: Lisa Christensen
    Oct 9 2024
    What if your L&D team could shift from merely delivering training to truly driving your company’s strategic goals? In this conversation, we talk with Lisa Christensen, McKinsey’s Director of Learning and Innovation. Lisa takes a refreshingly strategic approach, asking not just how L&D can support learning but “To what end?” She shares how her focus on outcomes over output has reshaped McKinsey’s approach to everything from people analytics to building a strong feedback culture.

    We also talk about why L&D should embrace experimentation, moving far beyond traditional course delivery to tackle big organizational challenges. Lisa makes the case for L&D to collaborate closely with People Analytics and Legal to ensure that learning initiatives aren’t just reactive but strategically positioned for future growth. Her “no regrets” actions offer useful, bold steps for L&D leaders, inspiring us to see the function as a driver of both human and organizational transformation.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • Why McKinsey's L&D team always starts with the question, "To what end?" [1:00]
    • The risk of L&D focusing only on short-term skill needs [15:00]
    • Collaboration with People Analytics transforming L&D's impact [18:00]
    • L&D teams losing their value by sticking to outdated metrics [20:00]
    • What it means for L&D to have an experimental mindset [31:00]
    • How L&D leaders can ensure their department's stability and credibility [37:00]
    • The “no regrets” actions every L&D team should consider right now [43:00]
    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Oliver Wyman Report on Workforce Future
    • McKinsey’s Learning & Innovation Center of Excellence
    Connect with Lisa Christensen
    • Connect with Lisa Christensen on LinkedIn
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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    47 mins
  • Mitchel MacNair: Crown Castle - Making Employee Development Strategic

    Mitchel MacNair: Crown Castle - Making Employee Development Strategic
    Sep 25 2024
    How do you turn a skeptical organization into a believer in the power of Learning & Development? We interviewed Mitchel MacNair, Director of Talent Development and Learning at Crown Castle to find out. Mitchel takes us on a journey from his unconventional background in nuclear engineering and the Navy to leading transformational change in L&D. He tells us how he reshaped Crown Castle’s learning function by aligning it with business strategy, building credibility through data-driven results, and elevating its impact across the organization.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • How Mitchel’s background in the Navy prepared him for L&D leadership [4:35]
    • Handling the loss of 50% of the L&D team within Mitchel’s first six months [6:20]
    • How organizational chaos impacts strategic L&D changes at Crown Castle [9:29]
    • Transforming L&D from "order takers" to strategic business partners [10:58]
    • The role of the principal designer in Crown Castle’s L&D success [13:20]
    • Collaborating with other functions to focus on outcomes [15:10]
    • Why obtaining business performance data early is critical for L&D success [18:17]
    • Demonstrating a 192% increase in services sold through L&D programs [23:00]
    • How Crown Castle developed their AI policies [35:10]
    • L&D’s role in Crown Castle's skills strategy and future talent planning [41:00]
    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Is Your Genius at Work by Dick Richards
    • Nick Shackleton-Jones (LinkedIn Thought Leader)
    Connect with Mitchel MacNair
    • Mitchel MacNair on LinkedIn
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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    44 mins
  • HR, Workforce Automation, and GenAI at Merck: Jeremy Shapiro & Chris Shultz

    HR, Workforce Automation, and GenAI at Merck: Jeremy Shapiro & Chris Shultz
    Sep 11 2024
    Jeremy Shapiro, AVP of Human Resources and Workforce Analytics, and Chris Shultz, Director of HR Intelligent Automation and Gen AI at Merck join us in this forward-thinking conversation. Learn how (and why) Merck is embracing AI to streamline HR processes, support innovation, and maintain ethical considerations. This was hugely educational for us and we hope you get a glimpse into the future of HR tech.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • What does the future of HR look like in an AI-driven world? [1:17]
    • How can AI serve as a translator and guide for HR professionals? [7:47]
    • How Merck ensures AI is implemented responsibly [8:51]
    • How Merck leveraging AI for massive efficiency gains in HR [12:45]
    • How Merck determines what AI solutions to build internally [16:54]
    • Can HR keep pushing the efficiency frontier with AI, or is there a limit? [19:19]
    • How organizations can support the mental well-being of AI engineers [25:16]
    • How ethics play a crucial role in the development of AI [31:12]
    • What key strategies should HR leaders focus on in the next six months? [37:03]

    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Keith McNulty’s (McKinsey & Company) post about the bias of LLMs
    • BCG’s Research on AI in the workplace
    • Glint (HR tool)
    • Workday (HR tool)
    Connect with our Guests
    • Jeremy Shapiro
    • Chris Shultz
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

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    43 mins
  • The Critical Role Data Plays in Skills Development: MetLife’s Emily Hacker and Dan Weiss

    The Critical Role Data Plays in Skills Development: MetLife’s Emily Hacker and Dan Weiss
    Aug 28 2024
    Skills data can be used to raise the bar in talent acquisition, implement data-driven learning, make strategic workforce planning decisions, help employees reach career aspirations, and much more. Too many organizations are so glued to the idea of perfection that they won’t implement imperfect programs to gather skills data. Dan Weiss and Emily Hacker believe that this mindset is useless.Your skills data won’t be perfect—but it can still be useful and helpful to employees. They share exactly why in this episode of Workplace Stories.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • Join the RedThread Research Community! [2:53]
    • Learning more about Dan Weiss and Emily Hacker [3:35]
    • Transforming culture before building infrastructure [9:07]
    • How the MetLife culture championed the process [13:23]
    • Their current pilot and the vision for the future [16:40]
    • The lightning round [25:46]
    • How to get buy-in from leadership [30:09]
    • The critical role data plays in skills development [33:09]
    • Their data sources and how they’re using them [36:43]
    • Where does the data live? [40:43]
    • The biggest thing Emily and Dan have learned [43:35]
    • Why Emily and Dan do the work they do [44:26]

    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Join the RedThread Research Community!
    • Employee Benefits Trends Study
    Connect with Emily Hacker and Dan Weiss
    • Connect with Emily on LinkedIn
    • Connect with Dan on LinkedIn
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter
    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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    46 mins
  • Operationalizing AI Experimentation: Harvard Business Publishing’s Angela Cheng-Cimini

    Operationalizing AI Experimentation: Harvard Business Publishing’s Angela Cheng-Cimini
    Aug 14 2024
    Generative AI is taking the world by storm, and the realm of HR is no exception. The use of AI will change a business and it will impact teams. That’s why Angela Cheng-Cimini seeks to answer the question, “How do you make sure your teams are positively impacted by AI?”A lot of the conversation starts with mitigating the fear that surrounds AI. Angela believes one of the ways you can get people to run toward generative AI is to create a safe environment where they can play with it and be amazed by its capabilities. Then, they’ll want to integrate it into their work. In this conversation, Angela shares how—as the CHRO—she’s operationalizing AI experimentation at Harvard Business Publishing. Because, ultimately, “AI is not going to replace humans. But humans will be replaced by humans who use AI.”

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • Learn more about Angela Cheng-Cimini and her role [3:31]
    • The issues Angela is facing in her organization [5:49]
    • Using AI to help with the employee experience [9:51]
    • The Gen AI experiment that Angela ran [13:27]
    • The impact of Gen AI on recruiting[16:06]
    • How to take advantage of AI [18:59]
    • How to justify the expense of AI [22:30]
    • The ethical use of AI in organizations [24:16]
    • Influencing broader AI enablement strategy [26:37]
    • The lightning round [28:19]
    • HR’s role in integrating AI into the workforce [31:11]
    • How to operationalize experimentation [34:00]
    • Angela’s advice to leaders using Gen AI [36:00]
    • Angela’s biggest takeaway from the AI journey [40:34]
    • Why is Angela passionate about HR? [41:28]


    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Generative AI for Everyone
    Connect with Angela Cheng-Cimini
    • Connect on LinkedIn
    • Harvard Business Publishing
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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    44 mins
  • Debunking the Proposed Half-Life of a Skill: Guild Education’s Matthew Daniel

    Debunking the Proposed Half-Life of a Skill: Guild Education’s Matthew Daniel
    Jul 31 2024
    Matthew Daniel—the Senior Principal for Talent Strategy and Mobility at Guild Education—believes that, in a workplace context, skills are the things we know, can do, and the ways of thinking that help us deliver on business strategy. They are rich, deep, complex, and meaningful.Matthew believes that the “Half-life” statistic that’s been perpetuated about workplace skills is garbage. In this conversation, he details exactly why the half-life of a skill being 2 ½ to 5 years is faulty logic and how we should view skills differently. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • How to join the RedThread Research community [3:16]
    • Learn more about Matthew Daniel [3:52]
    • The half-life of a workplace skill [6:57]
    • The history of the false statistic [13:20]
    • How this statistic has influenced decisions [20:29]
    • The importance of critical thinking [24:18]
    • The lightning round [31:15]
    • How Matthew talks about skills [34:23]
    • Durable versus perishable skills [38:27]
    • Skills as an equalizer in organizations [40:55]
    • The big takeaway from Matthew’s research [43:28]

    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Join the RedThread Research community!
    • Matthew’s article: Let’s not obsess about disappearing skills; we need to plan for the ones that’ll stay
    • On the Obsolescence and Retraining of Engineering Personnel
    Connect with Matthew Daniel
    • Connect on LinkedIn
    • Guild Education
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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    45 mins