In this episode of Directionally Correct, hosts Cole & Scott takes listeners on a journey through a variety of intriguing topics—even without a guest. Tune in to hear tales from morning commutes, including a possible sighting of Jeff Bezos. Cole also delves into the heart of people analytics, exploring the balance between technology, like AI, and maintaining critical thinking skills.

Listeners will gain insights into celebrity encounters in unexpected places and the cultural landscape of where you live. You'll also hear a deep dive into the validity of training programs and the controversial issues surrounding them. The discussion includes insights into idea generation and the adoption of innovative thoughts, particularly in the context of diverse networks.

Are you merely loafing through life or building something lasting with your ideas? Stay tuned as Cole addresses these questions and more, all while maintaining an engaging and entertaining approach that keeps listeners coming back for more.

• Cole’s book People Analytics comes out in July

• LLMs are only capable of recombinatory innovation

• We talk about validity in science but do we have a consistent definition?

• How GenAI influences critical thinking

• What LLMs do people actually use

• Why so many leadership trainings fall short

In this enlightening episode of "Directionally Correct," host Cole sits down with Sonali Kumar, a fresh people analyst and podcast host, to unravel her unconventional journey from studying criminal justice to becoming a beacon in the field of people analytics. Sonali shares her personal tale of career pivots driven by a quest for meaningful impact and strategic growth in the HR analytics domain.

Together, they explore the shifting dynamics in people analytics, especially as AI reshapes required skill sets. Sonali offers fresh perspectives on balancing technical and non-technical skills, emphasizing the importance of communication and stakeholder engagement in today's data-driven landscape.

Listeners will gain insights into Sonali's unique approach to building a personal brand, overcoming imposter syndrome, and her fervor for continuous learning. The conversation also touches on the future of the workforce and the challenges of breaking into new fields in an ever-evolving job market.

Whether you're a budding data enthusiast or an established professional navigating career changes, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice from two leaders in the analytics space.

• Anthropic is giving all their employees the same job description

• The next great resignation is coming - Lightcast

• Gen AI machine learning algos are destroying human created ones

Join us on this episode of Directionally Correct, a People Analytics Podcast, hosted by Cole & Scott, as we dive deep into the world of people analytics with our special guest, Roxanne Laczo, Head of People Analytics at Cloudflare. In this enlightening conversation, we uncover the nuances of video meetings and the social dynamics they entail, explore the vibrant yet evolving cultural landscape of Austin, and discuss the art of jaywalking.

Roxanne shares her journey to Austin, a city close to her heart but she finds increasingly overrated due to rapid modernization. We touch upon Austin's iconic spots like 6th Street and the evolving nature of the famous South by Southwest festival.

Beyond Austin's metamorphosis, we dive into the essence of people analytics, discussing the intersection of theoretical foundations and technology in effectively measuring employee dynamics. Roxanne emphasizes the importance of understanding foundational psychological principles over a mere focus on technology and dashboards. She passionately conveys the need for integration of various assessments in people analytics for meaningful insights.

Adding a lighter note, Roxanne humorously detours into her experiences with rodeos and her unforgettable encounter with Mike Tyson at an airport. We wrap up with insights from her teaching experience at UT Austin, where she creatively engages students with zookeeper job analyses and cognitive analysis exercises.

Whether you're an analytics enthusiast or just curious about the changing pulse of Austin, this episode offers a rich blend of professional insights and personal anecdotes. Don't miss it!

• Scott gets petty about agreeableness via meta-analysis

• The thesis of politics of smell went viral and why

• Anthropic’s economic index of how people use AI in their jobs