Workplace Stories by RedThread Research

Most leadership development still clings to certainty, quarterly goals, strategic plans, official futures etched in stone. But what if that mindset isn’t just outdated, it’s dangerous? In this episode, Dani Johnson and Stacia Garr sit down with futurists and experience designers Lisa Kay Solomon and Jeff Rogers, two minds helping rewire how leaders think about the future, not as a distant unknown, but as a daily design challenge. What unfolds is a conversation that’s as practical as it is provocative, revealing how our obsession with predictability might be blinding us to the signals we most need to see.For learning leaders, especially those in HR and people analytics, this episode offers a wake-up call. Future thinking isn’t a luxury or a moonshot exercise. It’s a leadership muscle, and the longer it goes untrained, the more fragile our organizations become. Lisa and Jeff unpack what it really means to design for the future, not just in abstract vision decks, but in how we design meetings, questions, experiences, and even relationships. Their approach is grounded in curiosity, humility, and a radical shift from answers to inquiry.By the end, listeners don’t just understand why futures thinking matters, they feel invited to do something about it. The conversation offers not just hope, but tools: from rethinking design as a vehicle for emergence, to spotting and disrupting “official futures” inside their own organizations. Whether you’re planning your next L&D initiative or shaping strategy for a shifting workforce, this episode shows you how to lead with intention, not from the past, but toward what’s possible. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(00:00) The overlooked leadership skill hiding in plain sight.(03:30) Meet the minds behind Elevate: Futurists with a purpose.(09:00) From theory to traction: Making futures thinking useful now.(15:00) Design that disrupts: How to spark new thinking in any room.(22:00) The silent trap: How a single “official future” keeps orgs stuck.(30:40) Elevate’s true mission: Courage, connection, and change for learning leaders.Resources & People Mentionedhttps://lisakaysolomon.comhttps://rdcl.is/Connect with Lisa & JeffConnect with Jeffrey Rogers on LinkedInConnect with Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Many teams don’t realize how much time their people are losing to repetitive tasks and clunky systems. From filling out HR forms to bouncing between platforms, what’s called “employee experience” often adds up to unnecessary friction. The real problem? No one’s questioning whether those steps need to exist at all. There’s an unspoken assumption that better design means more interface, more features, more engagement. But what if the most valuable tech quietly solved problems in the background, no logins, no dropdowns, no disruption?Josh Novelle, Global Head of People Solutions at Convatec, argues that it’s time to rethink how we define value in HR tech. In his world, the best tools don’t ask people to step out of their workday to interact with them, they fit invisibly into the flow. He points out how incentives from vendors often run counter to what organizations need, and how this misalignment quietly drains productivity. From nudging employees to use their leave before burnout hits, to questioning why booking time off isn’t already embedded in your calendar, he challenges long-held assumptions with clear, practical alternatives.This conversation goes beyond tool choices. It raises a bigger question: what if your systems could work together behind the scenes to deliver support without demanding attention? As the boundaries between work, systems, and experience blur, the teams that win won't be the ones with the flashiest platforms. They'll be the ones who make their tech nearly disappear. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(00:00) Redefining employee experience beyond HR systems.(08:50) Choosing tech partners and surfacing vendor misalignment.(18:00) The rise of headless tech and middleware's quiet power.(27:10) Subtle interventions that reduce burnout.(35:00) Where AI fits into employee experience.(44:30) Why leadership development fails without operational alignment.Resources & People Mentionedhttps://www.convatecgroup.comhttps://www.learningtechnologies.co.ukConnect with Josh NovelleConnect with Josh Novelle on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Most conversations about AI in the workplace get stuck on the surface - job loss fears, tech hype, and hand-wringing about what’s next. But in this episode, we flip the script. What if AI itself isn’t the problem? What if the real story is how organizations introduce, structure, and integrate it into the human fabric of work?Jeremy Broome, Global Head of Talent at Visa, shares how his team navigates AI with a surprisingly optimistic and deeply human approach. From scenario-based workforce planning to AI-powered feedback loops in sales training, Jeremy outlines how Visa empowers employees to experiment safely, learn organically, and ask better questions rather than just seek faster answers. Along the way, he introduces a simple but powerful framework, “one-way doors vs. two-way doors”, for evaluating risk, making bolder moves, and learning without losing trust.This conversation isn't just about tech adoption. It's about how thoughtful design, cultural muscle, and a focus on community can transform fear into fluency and uncertainty into innovation. Whether you're starting your AI journey or stuck in the middle of one, this episode shows you what people-first AI looks like. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(0:00) Optimism, people-first AI, and two-way doors.(4:36) Jeremy’s background and Visa’s AI legacy.(9:06) GenAI as an opportunity and top-down momentum.(13:38) Real-world use cases: recruiting, learning, chatbots.(17:40) Future-back workforce planning and scenario design.(24:01) Learning shifts: community, context, and curiosity.Resources & People MentionedHighspot - AI coaching in sales trainingVisa University - Visa’s internal learning hubConnect with Jeremy BroomeConnect with Jeremy Broome on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

HR teams have more data than ever, but many still rely on guesswork when it comes to people decisions. In this episode, we unpack the rapid growth of the people analytics tech market, which ballooned from $1.7B in 2019 to $8.1B by last summer.Hosts Dani Johnson, Stacia Garr, and Priyanka Mehrotra walk through how this market has evolved, what’s driving investment, and why the demand for better-connected, more useful insights keeps rising.We also dig into what’s not working, like customer frustration, disappointing ROI, and the reality that AI in these tools often overpromises and underdelivers. Whether you’re brand new to people analytics or looking to uplevel your HR tech strategy, this episode will help you move from “hoping for the best” to truly leading with insight. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(0:00) Setting the stage: Why people analytics tech is worth revisiting.(4:31) The market’s growth from $1.7B to $8.1B, and what’s fueling it.(8:31) Three big shifts: use cases, democratization, and ethics.(13:40) Pandemic-driven surge: Why execs finally cared about people data.(14:57) What vendors are getting right: Partnerships and practical AI.(23:25) Where vendors are falling short: UX, ROI, and unmet promises.(29:30) The near-term future: Middleware, consolidation, and embedded insights.(36:00) AI expectations vs. reality: Trust, risk, and what vendors still miss.Resources & People MentionedVisier –  https://www.visier.comCulture Amp –  https://www.cultureamp.comOne Model –  https://www.onemodel.coConnect with Dani, Stacia, and PriyankaDani JohnsonStacia GarrPriyanka Mehrotra on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Al Dea, founder of Edge of Work and host of the Edge of Work podcast, redefines the role of Learning and Development (L&D) within organizations. He argues that L&D shouldn't just be a support function but rather a strategic partner in business transformation. Al emphasizes the importance of embedding learning into business strategies, leveraging skills data, and adopting agile methodologies. He addresses the identity crisis L&D faces and encourages leaders to shift their focus from merely delivering training to solving pressing business challenges.

AI is transforming work at an unprecedented pace, but many organizations still struggle to move beyond experimentation and into real implementation. In this episode, we sit down with Steven Moran, Chief Learning Officer and Chief Partnerships Officer at Bertelsmann, to explore how one of the world’s largest media, education, and services companies is tackling this challenge head-on. With 400 businesses and 80,000 employees worldwide, Bertelsmann is uniquely positioned at the intersection of AI, workforce learning, and industry partnerships—making its approach to AI adoption especially insightful.Steven shares how Bertelsmann strategically identifies which work AI should take over and which skills employees should double down on to stay competitive. He also unpacks why AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about fostering creativity, innovation, and business transformation.From collaborating with OpenAI to rethinking job structures, Steven offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Bertelsmann is future-proofing its workforce. Whether you’re an HR leader, a learning professional, or simply curious about AI’s role in the workplace, this episode provides a roadmap for navigating the next era of work.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(0:00) How Bertelsmann’s Chief Learning Officer also leads partnerships(1:10) AI’s shift from experimentation to real implementation in organizations(8:33) Bertelsmann’s strategic partnership with OpenAI and its goals(10:32) How AI is reshaping work and what skills employees should prioritize(16:40) The journey from AI experimentation to company-wide adoption(22:50) Balancing AI-driven efficiency with human creativity in the workplace(35:00) How Bertelsmann uses skill gap analysis to drive workforce strategyResources & People MentionedBertelsmannOpenAIEthan Bernstein & Job MovesConnect with Steven MoranConnect on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Brenda Kowske, Senior Director of Talent Analytics at Boston Scientific, shares her insights on innovative workforce planning. She discusses how AI is transforming job structures and the importance of shifting from job-based to skills-based approaches. Brenda elaborates on using location and happiness data to enhance employee satisfaction. She emphasizes the need for continuous workforce planning and the ethical use of data, highlighting how these strategies can provide a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving corporate landscape.

In this discussion, Heather Bussing, a seasoned California employment lawyer, provides a clear-eyed interpretation of recent executive orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). She emphasizes the importance of fairness and transparency in workplace practices, avoiding overreactions to legal changes. Heather encourages organizations to rethink their DE&I metrics, advocating for genuine impact over superficial compliance. With actionable insights for leaders, she highlights the need for trust in performance management and adapting hiring practices to attract diverse talent.

We sat down with Tapaswee Chandele, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Development and System Partnerships at Coca-Cola, to talk about what it really takes to help managers succeed. She’s direct, transparent, and refreshingly honest about the challenges leaders face today—and what companies need to do to make things simpler. From setting clear expectations to measuring what matters, Tapaswee breaks down the way Coca-Cola supports managers without overcomplicating the process.One of the huge takeaways for us was the idea of prioritization: cutting through the noise and focusing on just a few key things that actually move the needle. Tapaswee also shared some thought-provoking perspectives on culture, manager accountability, and why companies need to be intentional about the kind of leaders they develop and reward.Oh, and we got into how AI could be a game-changer for taking boring admin work off managers’ plates so they can spend more time on what actually matters—like leading their teams.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Intro [0:00]How Coca-Cola Defines Manager Effectiveness [4:45]Embedding Leadership into Culture and Processes [10:10]Why Manager Effectiveness Is Declining [15:00]Supporting Managers with Data and Feedback [21:00]Using AI to Simplify Managerial Work [30:10]Rethinking Leadership Roles and Rewards [38:00]Measuring Manager Effectiveness at Coca-Cola [43:10]Resources & People MentionedRadical Candor by Kim ScottBetterUp – A coaching platform focused on leadership and professional growthFuture of Jobs Report 2023 by the World Economic ForumConnect with Tapaswee ChandeleTapaswee Chandele on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

In 2025, the HR landscape is already transforming–quickly. With AI moving from hype to reality, workforce cultures evolving, and organizations pausing to get their data and systems in order, leaders face both big opportunities and bigger decisions. To truly make sense of it all, we sat down with Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer at Sapient Insights Group, whose decades of experience as both a practitioner and industry analyst give her a grounded, data-backed perspective on what HR teams need to focus on right now.From the rise of personalization and the cultural barriers blocking internal mobility to the critical role of managers and why workforce planning is finally having its moment, Stacey gave us a clear-eyed view of where HR is heading—and what’s holding it back.She challenged us to think differently about what “engagement” truly means, the limitations of current AI applications, and why a company’s culture—not its tech—might be the biggest obstacle to success in 2025.If you’re ready to make sense of this rapidly changing landscape and get practical advice on how to navigate the year ahead, Stacey’s insights are the perfect guide.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Intro [0:00]Meeting Stacey Harris [4:26]2025 Trends in HR Tech [7:08]AI in HR: Hype vs. Reality [9:06]The Data Problem and Internal Mobility Challenges [12:47]Managers as Barriers and the Role of AI [18:00]Rethinking Engagement and Personalization [23:54]Workforce Planning’s Evolution [38:20]Final Thoughts and Why Stacey Does the Work She Does [42:00]Resources & People MentionedSapient Insights Group – Sapient Insights Group WebsiteSierra-Cedar HR Systems Survey LightcastConnect with Stacey HarrisConnect on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES