Using People Analytics to Create Culture and Make Work More Human

May 23, 2025

Misha-Ann Martin, VP of People Research at Workhuman, shares her insights on leveraging people analytics for a more human-centered workplace. She emphasizes the impact of recognition on culture and performance. The discussion explores how AI tools can enhance communication and address microaggressions. Misha-Ann also highlights the need for continuous feedback mechanisms to truly capture employee sentiment. Lastly, she challenges traditional survey methodologies, advocating for stronger connections between employees and feedback processes.

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ANECDOTE

Dr. Martin's Personal Journey

Dr. Misha Ann Martin shares her journey from Jamaica to the US and discovering complexities around race and inequity.
She used statistics to uncover organizational inequities and use data for accountability and inclusiveness.

ADVICE

Ask What Data You Need

Start analytics by asking what data you need, not what you have.
Use simple tools like word count to measure feedback quality and build from there.

INSIGHT

Recognition Drives Culture and Outcomes

Recognition is more than praise; it's positive reinforcement that shapes culture and drives business outcomes.
Analytics can reveal if recognition aligns with organizational values or needs adjustment.

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Using People Analytics to Create Culture and Make Work More Human

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Meisha-ann Martin, PhD., VP, People Research, Workhuman

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour Show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed discuss how People Analytics and rich recognition data can help leaders create culture, improve workplaces, and drive positive business outcomes with Dr. Meisha-ann Martin, VP, People Research at Workhuman.

On the show we talked about Meisha-ann's journey to People Research, how asking the right questions is key to understanding people data, how the emergence of new AI tools can help us make workplaces even more human. Additionally, Meisha-ann shared some ideas on how to make employee surveys more valuable, actionable, and meaningful for employees as well as leaders.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor thanks

1:20 Introduction to People Analytics and Recognition

02:54 Dr. Misha Ann Martin's Journey and Insights

09:41 The Role of Recognition in Workplace Culture

15:53 AI's Impact on Human Connection

20:08 Evolving Data Usage in HR

24:23 The Nirvana Approach to HR Strategy

28:44 Feedback Mechanisms and Continuous Listening

32:01 Two-Way Feedback and Empowering Employees

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

These days, it feels like there isn’t much good to go around in the world of work.

But Workhuman knows when we celebrate the good in each of us, we bring out the best in all of us.

It’s why they created the world’s # 1 employee recognition platform — and they didn’t stop there, combining rich recognition data with AI to create Human Intelligence, so you can get uniquely good insights into performance, skills, engagement and more.

To learn more about how you can join their force for good, go to Workhuman.com, or check out their own podcast, “How We Work,” which explores, the trends, issues, relationships, and experiences that shape our workplaces.