

Directionally Correct, A People Analytics Podcast
WRKdefined Podcast Network
Directionally Correct is the #1 people analytics podcast in the world. Hosted by Cole Napper, the podcast dives into people analytics, workforce planning, behavioral science, and talent intelligence, helping leaders navigate the future of work with insight and a dash of fun. To find out more, check out colenapper.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 11, 2025 • 58min
#124 - James Birchler - The Science of Executive Coaching
Help support the podcast: We are a listener supported podcast. By becoming a patron you will help us cover the costs of producing and distributing our podcast, while getting special premium access to the hosts. Please become a patron of Directionally Correct by going here: https://patron.podbean.com/directionallycorrect
In this episode of Directionally Correct, hosted by Cole and Scott, listeners are introduced to James Birchler, an Executive Leadership Coach and Startup Technical Advisor. The conversation is filled with engaging insights as James shares his unique journey from culinary arts to executive coaching.
The episode dives into the nuances of coaching technical teams, the essence of the CAMS coaching framework, and the importance of human connection and intimacy in leadership. James discusses his experiences with innovation, particularly within large and small companies, and how these environments foster creativity and continuous learning.
Listeners are also treated to James’ culinary passion, providing light-hearted moments in the dialogue. Whether you’re interested in enhancing your leadership skills, understanding people analytics, or exploring the synergies between cooking and coaching, this episode offers enlightening and entertaining content.
Have humans passed peak brain power
Being the recipient of venting at work
Workplace coaching: Does it work meta analysis
Stop "Coaching" Your Tech Team (And What to Do Instead): How to level up your engineering leadership with CAMS: Coaching, Advising, Mentoring, and Supporting.
Self-Awareness: The Foundation of Your Leadership OS. The Missing Manual for founders about how self-awareness powers leadership at scale.
Get Out of the Building: Essential Lessons from IMVU and Amazon on Starting with the Customer. James' guest post on Ethan Evans' Level Up Substack.
JamesBirchler.com - James' website with more information on his coaching and technical advisory practice.
Also, here is a draft summary in case we can include one:
James Birchler, veteran tech leader and executive coach, joins the Directionally Correct podcast to unpack "The Science of Executive Coaching." In this episode, we explore his groundbreaking CAMS framework that revolutionizes how leaders support their teams, dive into why Lean Startup methodologies create more effective products and teams, investigate the fascinating research on cognitive abilities in our digital age, and debate whether AI can truly replicate the magic of human coaching relationships. James shares compelling stories from his extensive career leading technical teams, offers practical wisdom on building self-awareness as your leadership foundation, and reveals counterintuitive insights about workplace communication that foster trust. You'll want to check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast for transformative leadership strategies from one of tech's most insightful minds!

May 4, 2025 • 53min
#123 - Shonna Waters & Tara Behrend - LIVE from SIOP 2025
Help support the podcast: We are a listener supported podcast. By becoming a patron you will help us cover the costs of producing and distributing our podcast, while getting special premium access to the hosts. Please become a patron of Directionally Correct by going here: https://patron.podbean.com/directionallycorrect
In this engaging episode of Directionally Correct, tune in as Cole & Scott host an insightful discussion with esteemed guests Tara Behrend and Shonna Waters at the SIOP Conference. The episode delves into the evolving landscape of I/O psychology, focusing on the scientist-practitioner-partner triad model, the integration of AI in HR, and the role of people analytics in shaping the future of the field.
Join the conversation as Tara and Shonna share their experiences as female leaders in the SIOP organization and their vision for fostering a culture that embraces innovation and diversity. Discover the significance of staying connected with the latest trends, the importance of practical collaboration, and the ethical considerations of incorporating new technologies in the workplace.
Whether you're a seasoned I/O psychologist or a budding practitioner, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of today's dynamic work environment.
Longitudinal meta analysis of range restriction in GMA
SIOP White Paper: How to survive the AI revolution

Apr 27, 2025 • 55min
#122 - Nelson Spencer - Building AI Agents & The Original Moneyball
Nelson Spencer, Founder and CEO of efora.io, shares his expertise in AI and people analytics with a unique twist from his sports analytics background. He discusses the strategic integration of AI in HR, highlighting its potential benefits and challenges. Nelson introduces the concept of skill stacking for personal growth and reassesses traditional hiring methods in the age of AI. The conversation offers insights into how organizations can adapt to these changes, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of work.

Apr 20, 2025 • 53min
#121 - Jenny Dearborn - How to be an Insight-Driven CHRO
Help support the podcast: We are a listener supported podcast. By becoming a patron you will help us cover the costs of producing and distributing our podcast, while getting special premium access to the hosts. Please become a patron of Directionally Correct by going here: https://patron.podbean.com/directionallycorrect
Join Cole in a riveting episode of Directionally Correct, where he sits down with Jenny Dearborn, the Chief People Strategy Officer at BTS and renowned author of The Insight Driven Leader. Explore the fascinating transition from a beekeeping enthusiast to a leading mind in HR analytics. In this episode, Jenny shares her unique journey from being a high school drama teacher to rising through the ranks in sales and becoming a leading CHRO with a strong analytics background.
Dive into the nuances of HR's role in the business world, as Jenny discusses her latest book and the importance of insight-driven leadership. She emphasizes the need for HR to align closely with CEOs and business goals by using data to predict and measure leadership performance. Hear her thoughts on the disconnect between CHROs and CEOs, the impact of AI in employment decisions, and the evolving dynamics of HR technology.
With an exploration of HR best practices and engaging anecdotes, this episode offers listeners a wealth of knowledge on how to leverage data for effective people management. Whether you're an HR professional or simply interested in leadership and analytics, this episode promises insights on elevating organizational performance and developing a strong learning culture.
How training impacts a company's bottom line
Effron - HR vs HR
DOL publishes best practices for using AI for employment decisions
Lilly (Movie Release)
The Insight Driven Leader (pre-order now)

Apr 13, 2025 • 1h 20min
#120 - Dr. Steve Hunt - Talent Tectonics, Quality of Hire, & Grunge Music
Help support the podcast: We are a listener supported podcast. By becoming a patron you will help us cover the costs of producing and distributing our podcast, while getting special premium access to the hosts. Please become a patron of Directionally Correct by going here: https://patron.podbean.com/directionallycorrect
In this engaging episode of Directionally Correct, join host Cole as he dives into a robust conversation with Steve Hunt, the founder of i3 Talent and author of Talent Tectonics. Steve shares his unique journey from the grunge scene in Seattle to becoming a significant voice in the HR and people analytics landscape.
Steve discusses his latest book Talent Tectonics, exploring the seismic shifts in the workforce brought on by digitalization and demographic changes. The episode delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, reshaping how we approach talent management in a fast-evolving workplace.
Listeners will find a rich discussion on the purpose of work, the complexities of measuring employee performance, and the role of technology in creating adaptable learning environments. Steve also reflects on historical and ongoing shifts in labor markets and the importance of HR metrics in driving organizational success. This episode promises valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of work and effective people analytics strategies.
Is the relationship to job performance and personality curvey?
Who is the human in the loop - Amit Mohindra
Measuring L&D effectiveness using Kirkpatrick or Philips

Apr 6, 2025 • 1h 3min
#119 - Cole and Scott - The Paradox of Critical Thinking
Help support the podcast: We are a listener supported podcast. By becoming a patron you will help us cover the costs of producing and distributing our podcast, while getting special premium access to the hosts. Please become a patron of Directionally Correct by going here: https://patron.podbean.com/directionallycorrect
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

Mar 30, 2025 • 1h 6min
#118 - Sonali Kumar - How to Break into People Analytics in 2025
Help support the podcast: We are a listener supported podcast. By becoming a patron you will help us cover the costs of producing and distributing our podcast, while getting special premium access to the hosts. Please become a patron of Directionally Correct by going here: https://patron.podbean.com/directionallycorrect
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

Mar 23, 2025 • 1h 4min
#117 - Dr. Roxanne Laczo - Has People Analytics Lost Its Way? Bring Back Validity
Help support the podcast: We are a listener supported podcast. By becoming a patron you will help us cover the costs of producing and distributing our podcast, while getting special premium access to the hosts. Please become a patron of Directionally Correct by going here: https://patron.podbean.com/directionallycorrect
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

Mar 16, 2025 • 1h 1min
#116 - Jennifer Hanniman - HR Tech Voices Episode with PeopleInsight
Help support the podcast: We are a listener supported podcast. By becoming a patron you will help us cover the costs of producing and distributing our podcast, while getting special premium access to the hosts. Please become a patron of Directionally Correct by going here: https://patron.podbean.com/directionallycorrect
Welcome to the inaugural episode of HR Tech Voices on Directionally Correct, where Cole & Scott sits down with Jennifer Hanniman, Vice President of Professional Services at PeopleInsight. In this engaging episode, Jennifer delves into the essentials of people analytics, discussing how PeopleInsight aids companies between 500 and 5,000 employees in their analytics journey. She highlights the importance of moving beyond spreadsheets and the challenges smaller companies face in building analytics infrastructures from scratch.
Jennifer offers insights into the consultative model of PeopleInsight, emphasizing a partnership approach that ensures clients not only receive analytic tools but also know how to leverage them effectively. The conversation explores the nuanced role of AI in analytics, touching upon data privacy and security, especially concerning GDPR compliance.
Listeners will get a glimpse into Jennifer’s personal journey, including her life in the Netherlands, insights into AI's influence on organizational structures, and the need for trust and data integrity in analytics. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of HR technology and people analytics.
Cole got recognized as a Top 20 people analytics influencer
The number of truly exceptional people per million
How rumors spread through networks
Reinventing the organization for GenAI and LLMs

Mar 9, 2025 • 1h 1min
#115 - Dr. Sandra Loughlin - The Data, Tasks, & Skills Needed for a Skills-Based Future
Dr. Sandra Loughlin, Chief Learning Scientist at EPAM Systems, shares her expertise on people analytics and skills-based hiring. She dives into the fascinating connection between the human microbiome and mental health, even discussing innovative treatments like fecal transplants. The conversation also highlights the evolving landscape of skills-based hiring, emphasizing the importance of data in aligning skills with organizational needs. With humor, they touch on career perceptions, face-to-face interaction benefits, and the ethical dilemmas of employee monitoring.