Take It Online : HR Meets AI

Boundaries With Compassion

In this thought-provoking episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells explores the delicate balance between managerial support and professional boundaries when dealing with employee grief. The conversation with Leisse Wilcox examines why high-achieving employees often return to work prematurely after personal tragedy and the physiological impacts that affect their performance. The discussion evolves into a fascinating exploration of the manager-versus-therapist debate, with Wilcox offering the insightful metaphor of "building gates rather than walls" - creating clear boundaries while maintaining compassion.
The episode challenges popular workplace rhetoric about "family-like" environments, emphasizing instead a professional framework that allows humanity without sacrificing accountability. Wells and colleagues highlight the importance of decisive leadership during crisis, making difficult decisions for struggling employees while maintaining the perfect Venn diagram between compassion and productivity.
Music by: Harvey Waldman

Conflict Coaching Mastery

In this insightful episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells explores the delicate art of managing workplace conflict between high-performing employees. Comparing AI-generated advice with human emotional intelligence, the conversation illuminates how effective conflict resolution requires personalized approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. The discussion emphasizes creating structured conversations with clear agendas, allowing space for "airing grievances," and tailoring communication styles to the specific personalities and power dynamics involved. Wells and colleague Akhila highlight the importance of somatic awareness and powerful coaching questions like "What story are you telling yourself?" and "What are you making this mean about you?" - tools that help managers cut through mental clutter and address the emotional underpinnings of workplace tension.
 
Music by: Harvey Waldman

Human vs AI EQ Battle

In this part 1 of a three part episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells pits emotional intelligence expert Leisse Wilcox against Anthropic's Claude AI to analyze workplace scenarios requiring emotional intelligence. Through a public relations crisis scenario, Wilcox demonstrates the nuanced human approach to emotional intelligence by emphasizing accountability, vulnerability, and rebuilding trust and safety—areas where Claude provides theoretical frameworks but lacks practical application. The episode brilliantly highlights how AI can serve as a valuable tool but cannot replace the human capacity for relationships, nuance, and authentic emotional connection in leadership situations.
Music by: Harvey Waldman

Benefits That Matter

In this lively episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells and colleagues Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill dig into what makes an attractive workplace benefits package. The trio dissects traditional expectations versus innovative perks, from unlimited PTO to onsite childcare. Their spirited debate highlights the tension between remote work flexibility and return-to-office incentives, questioning whether free lunches and game nights actually motivate employees facing long commutes. The conversation reveals how different benefits appeal to diverse workforce segments, showcasing that while some perks might seem universal, their value varies dramatically depending on individual circumstances and priorities.
 
Music by: Harvey Waldman

Skills Gap in the AI Era

In this episode of Take It Online, Brittain Wells and Akhila Nagula explore the critical topic of skill gap analysis in the workplace. They discuss how individuals can conduct a systematic self-assessment by listing current skills, researching industry trends, and leveraging AI tools like Claude to identify potential career paths. Akhila shares her personal methodology for conducting skill gap analysis, emphasizing the importance of categorizing abilities as technical, soft, or domain-specific skills, then researching how these skills might evolve with emerging technologies. The conversation highlights how AI can expedite this process, helping professionals prepare for future roles while positioning themselves strategically in an era where AI literacy is becoming a fundamental workplace requirement.

AI Startups: Friend or Foe?

In this entertaining episode of Take It Online, host Britton Wells joins Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill to explore emerging AI startups transforming the workplace landscape. The trio dissects four innovative platforms: Podial, which generates educational podcast scripts from documents; Cove, a visual workspace for collaborative thinking with AI; AnonAI, offering anonymous AI interactions without login requirements; and DreamUse, a tool that transforms dreams into visualized goals. Throughout their playful debate, they discuss the tensions professionals feel about adopting AI tools—a mixture of reluctance and necessity—highlighting the cultural shift occurring as AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily work life.
Music by: Harvey Waldman

Game Changing AI Startups

In this insightful episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells engages in a dynamic conversation with industry experts Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill about revolutionary AI startups transforming the business landscape. The discussion explores how emerging companies like Sana AI, Humy AI, Kards AI, and Scrintal AI are leveraging artificial intelligence to solve organizational challenges, particularly in HR and employee experience. Nagula and Gill provide valuable perspectives on implementation strategies, potential limitations, and future trends that business leaders should monitor.
The experts emphasize the importance of thoughtful AI integration rather than adoption merely for technological advancement. They highlight how these tools can enhance workplace productivity while maintaining human connection, offering practical advice for executives navigating the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem.
Music by: Harvey Waldman

Pro Personality Decoded

In this special episode of Take It Online, Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees, spices things up by putting Brittain Wells and Nicole Gill through a playful yet insightful professional compatibility quiz! Find out what personality traits these workplace culture experts prioritize in leadership, their take on office pet peeves, and which element—sunshine or lightning—best captures their vibe. Will they pass the compatibility test, or reveal just how different their work styles really are? Tune in for a blend of laughs, revelations, and workplace wisdom!
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

AI Startup Sprint

In the latest episode of Take It Online, hosts Brittain Wells, Akhila Nagula, and Nicole Gill dive deep into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI startups, dissecting emerging platforms that promise to revolutionize workplace productivity and personal efficiency. From Averi's AI marketing management to Zivvy's Slack message prioritization, the conversation illuminates how generative AI is transforming mundane tasks into strategic opportunities, challenging listeners to reimagine technological potential.
The episode not only explores innovative tech solutions but also underscores a critical narrative: AI isn't just about automation—it's about understanding human workflow, reducing chaos, and creating more meaningful professional experiences. By examining products like Carrot Care's health tracking and Before Sunset's intelligent scheduling, the hosts reveal how targeted AI interventions can potentially reshape how we work, communicate, and optimize our daily lives.
Music By: Harvey Waldman

The Return of Boomerangs

In this episode of Take It Online, hosts Britain Wells and Nicole discuss the phenomenon of boomerang employees - workers who leave an organization and later return. They explore how having boomerang employees can be a positive indicator of strong company culture, with research showing that 28% of new hires in 2023 were actually returning employees. The hosts discuss both the advantages and challenges of rehiring former employees, including their familiarity with company culture and systems, but also potential issues like favoritism and the need to understand their true motivations for returning.
The discussion delves into important considerations for organizations, such as the trend of boomerang employees being rehired at higher management levels and their tendency to leave again after about a year. The hosts emphasize the importance of proper vetting, transparent conversations during the rehiring process, and maintaining regular check-ins to ensure both the returning employee and the organization benefit from the arrangement.