Take It Online : HR Meets AI

AI Startup Roulette

In this entertaining episode of "Take It Online," host Brittain Wells joins colleagues Akhila and Nicole to explore and react to five emerging tech startups. The trio engages in a playful format where Akhila introduces startup names and concepts while Brittain and Nicole attempt to guess their purposes before offering candid reactions.
The episode examines AI-powered innovations including Magic Notepad (AI-enhanced note-taking), Horse (tab management for productivity), Inncivio (business micro-learning platform), Swarm Stack (product planning tools), and Tracy (Excel formula auditing). Their unfiltered commentary highlights both potential benefits and skepticism around these solutions, sparking a broader conversation about whether these startups solve genuine problems or merely address minor inconveniences.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

Trauma Dumping at Work

Hi and welcome to our episode on Trauma Dumping in the workplace. During this episode Nicole and I do discuss some personal experiences with this particular topic, however none of the examples are based around exceptionally sensitive scenarios. But as a disclaimer, if this is a difficult topic for you, this may be an episode for you to skip. Also, if you are currently in crisis and having thoughts of self-harm or thoughts of harming others please call 988, which is the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Please also prioritize your health and wellness, and thanks for listening.

AI Jargon Demystified

In this enlightening episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells sits down with Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees, to unravel the often confusing world of artificial intelligence terminology. Their conversation cuts through the technical fog that surrounds AI discourse in workplaces today, offering listeners clear definitions plus practical applications.
Wells guides Nagula through a discussion that transforms intimidating tech talk into accessible knowledge specifically tailored for HR teams plus organizational leaders. The episode stands as an essential resource for professionals looking to implement AI solutions like The Happy Employees platform without getting lost in jargon that typically creates barriers to adoption within companies.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

Reinforce or Reward?

In this episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells and guest Nicole Gill dive into the science behind workplace recognition and how it differs from true reinforcement. They explore behavioral analysis principles, discussing how managers can effectively motivate employees beyond simple participation trophies. Gill explains that recognition only becomes reinforcement when it actually increases desired behaviors, emphasizing the need for individualized approaches and intermittent reinforcement schedules.
The conversation challenges common workplace practices, revealing why blanket recognition strategies often fail while systems with clear expectations succeed. Wells and Gill offer practical insights for identifying what truly motivates different team members and how to implement recognition that drives performance rather than merely acknowledging it. Their discussion provides listeners with actionable strategies for creating lasting behavior change through scientifically-backed reinforcement techniques.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

AI Talk Smart Prompt

In the latest episode of Take It Online, AI expert Akhila Nagula unveils the critical art of AI prompting. She breaks down the complex world of AI interaction into a systematic framework, emphasizing that every professional needs foundational AI literacy. Nagula introduces a strategic approach to crafting prompts, comparing AI interaction to communicating with a sophisticated teenager: precise, intentional, contextual.
The episode deconstructs prompting into five key elements: defining the AI's role (as who), identifying the target audience (to whom), establishing contextual information (from what), determining the desired output (to what), and specifying the communication style (how to). This method transforms AI from an intimidating technology to an accessible, powerful assistant that can be tailored to specific professional needs across diverse industries.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

Building Trust Fast

In this episode of "Take It Online," host Britain Wells explores the critical role of trust in workplace dynamics. The discussion delves into the nature of trust, defining it as a combination of integrity, reliability, and predictability. The speakers emphasize that trust is essential for employee engagement, retention, and overall business success. They highlight that trust can be easily broken and difficult to rebuild, making it a fragile yet crucial element of workplace relationships.
The conversation outlines several key factors for building and maintaining trust in the workplace. These include demonstrating competence (cognitive trust), showing genuine care for employees' well-being and development (affective trust), being self-aware, and practicing transparency. The speakers stress the importance of managers recognizing their own limitations, valuing their team members' expertise, and taking risks by trusting others. They conclude that effective leadership requires a genuine commitment to understanding and supporting team members, suggesting that those who don't genuinely care about their employees' growth should reconsider their role as managers.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

AI vs Performance Reviews

In this insightful episode of Take It Online, Barbara Gago shares her contrarian perspective on AI's role in performance management. She emphasizes that organizations should focus on getting the basics right before introducing AI, warning that automating flawed systems merely produces biased outcomes more quickly. Barbara advocates for using AI to enhance rather than replace managerial functions—drawing connections between feedback patterns, identifying trends, and detecting bias in communication. The conversation explores the post-pandemic opportunity to thoughtfully rebuild performance review processes, with Barbara highlighting how manager-employee alignment correlates directly with improved performance outcomes.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

Kill the Performance Review

In this illuminating episode of 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘐𝘵 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦, host Brittain Wells alongside colleagues Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill dissect the flaws of traditional performance reviews with Barbra Gago, founder and CEO of Pando. Barbra shares insights from her extensive experience as a serial early-stage operator, including roles at Greenhouse, Culture Amp, and Miro. She identifies timing as the fundamental flaw in conventional review systems, explaining how annual reviews breed inauthentic behavior, recency bias, and politicking while failing to provide continuous growth opportunities. The conversation explores how cultural backgrounds impact self-advocacy, how poorly executed reviews damage company culture, and why competency-based feedback frameworks offer a more effective alternative for driving organizational performance.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

The New Professionalism

Are you ready to dive into the future of workplace culture? In our latest Take it Online episode, we crack open a compelling discussion on professionalism and culture with a fresh, no-holds-barred approach. We explore how companies are redefining what it means to "dress the part" and challenge the notion that a suit and tie are essential for success. From tech engineers in shorts to doctors in tank tops, we dive deep into how each industry sets its own cultural norms—and how professionals navigate them while staying true to themselves.
Our guest brings sharp insights and humor to the table, questioning how much appearance really matters when it comes to selling expertise and building trust. But it doesn’t stop there; the conversation sparks debate about authenticity in leadership, the anxiety around workplace appearance, and the evolving definition of professionalism. If you’re an HR professional or business leader interested in shaping the future of your organization’s culture, this episode is a must-listen!
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

AI Coaching Crossroads

In this provocative episode of Take It Online, Brittain Wells and expert coach Sandhya Mathur dissect the delicate balance between AI innovation and authentic human coaching. They explore how the International Coaching Federation has established comprehensive frameworks distinguishing between AI as a tactical assistant versus a direct service provider. Sandhya articulates why technology excels with administrative tasks like progress tracking yet falls short in the nuanced human connection domain. The conversation tackles pressing concerns about data privacy, transparency requirements, and the potential limitations of AI attempting to categorize complex human emotions. Listeners gain valuable insights into maintaining the irreplaceable human element in coaching while responsibly leveraging AI capabilities for enhanced client outcomes.
 
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.