Workplace Stories by RedThread Research Podcast Por Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson arte de portada

Workplace Stories by RedThread Research

Workplace Stories by RedThread Research

De: Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson
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At RedThread, we love data—but we know stories are what stick. That’s why we bring together thinkers, writers, leaders, and practitioners to share real-world insights about what works in the workplace, what they’ve learned, and where the future of work is headed. We keep it insightful, thought-provoking, and maybe even a little irreverent.

But we don’t stop at conversations. Our research, events, and community turn insights into action, helping organizations and individuals navigate the changing world of work.

Want to be part of the conversation? Join our community for free and connect with others shaping the future of work.

Learn more about RedThread Research here: https://redthreadresearch.com/homeRedThread Research 2024 Economía Gestión Gestión y Liderazgo
Episodios
  • HR in the Age of AI: Cole Napper on People Analytics, Generative AI, and Redefining Value

    HR in the Age of AI: Cole Napper on People Analytics, Generative AI, and Redefining Value
    Nov 19 2025
    In this episode, Stacia and Dani sit down once again with Cole Napper, author of “People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset.” A year after his first appearance, Cole returns with bold insights about the seismic changes facing HR and people analytics, and why now is the time to rethink how we define value in the workplace.

    Cole argues that the future of HR depends on shedding its transactional skin and embracing a new, data-driven paradigm. He discusses why traditional models like Dave Ulrich’s COE framework won’t survive the decade, how organizations can “discorrelate” from market forces by proving business value, and why fear, not technology, is the biggest obstacle to transformation.

    With sharp humor and evidence from his own research, Cole makes the case for a redefined HR: one that blends human strategy with AI-powered intelligence to drive growth, not just efficiency.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    [00:00] Building a new HR paradigm in the Gen AI era.
    [06:00] Why people analytics hit its “identity crisis” after 2022.
    [12:00] How to prove HR’s business value beyond metrics.
    [19:00] The decline of the Ulrich HR model and what replaces it.
    [24:00] The future of AI-driven workforce transformation.
    [33:00] The tension between the HR and finance worldviews.
    [46:00] Why data infrastructure is suddenly “sexy” again.
    [52:00] Three possible futures for HR in the next decade.

    Building a New Paradigm for People Analytics
    Cole’s new book calls for a reset in how organizations use data, not as an isolated reporting function but as a business accelerator. He reveals how people analytics can move from being “scorekeepers” to strategic partners by tackling the questions behind the questions: Why is it happening? What should we do about it? His message is clear, analytics must tie directly to revenue, cost, or risk reduction, or it’s just a hobby.

    The End of HR as We Know It
    Cole predicts that the Ulrich model, the long-standing HR framework of COEs, service centers, and HRBPs, won’t survive the coming decade. As generative AI automates much of HR’s transactional work, only the strategic and human elements will remain. He and the hosts debate what should stay human and what can be delegated to machines, exploring the fine line between technological efficiency and organizational soul.

    AI, Accountability, and the Future of Work
    Cole cautions that while AI’s potential is vast, it cannot replace human accountability. Drawing a parallel with the evolution of chess, he argues that AI will transform HR’s “game,” not erase it. The goal isn’t to align around AI as a tool, but to use it to unlock entirely new possibilities in how we work, learn, and grow.

    Infrastructure, Not Illusion
    For all the hype, Cole reminds leaders that the foundation of AI success lies in data infrastructure, “the least sexy but most essential lever.” Without it, organizations risk failure in the next wave of transformation. Investing in data quality, architecture, and scalability today determines who thrives, or disappears, tomorrow.

    Resources & People Mentioned

    • People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset by Cole Napper

    Connect with Cole Napper

    • Cole on LinkedIn

    Connect With Red Thread Research

    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter
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    1 h
  • Eight Levers for the Future: Lori Niles-Hoffman on Reimagining EdTech Transformation

    Eight Levers for the Future: Lori Niles-Hoffman on Reimagining EdTech Transformation
    Nov 5 2025
    In this episode of Workplace Stories, we sit down with Lori Niles-Hoffman, global learning strategist, EdTech advisor, and author of The Eight Levers of EdTech Transformation. With over 25 years of experience implementing large-scale learning systems, Lori brings a no-nonsense, deeply human perspective to how organizations can thrive at the intersection of technology, data, and talent.Lori reveals why EdTech success isn’t about shiny tools, it’s about mastering eight foundational levers that determine whether your learning strategy creates value or chaos. From ecosystem thinking to stakeholder management, she explains how leaders can future-proof learning strategies through data, design, and disciplined experimentation.You’ll hear candid insights on how AI is reshaping L&D, not by changing the rules, but by exposing where we’ve been weak all along. Lori also shares why the “backend just got sexy,” and how the next competitive edge won’t come from beautiful interfaces, but from the quality of data and insights driving them.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...[00:00] The eight levers shaping EdTech transformation.[06:00] Lessons from 25 years in enterprise learning systems.[09:00] Why most L&D tech investments fail before they start.[14:00] The rise of data literacy and “sexy backends” in learning design.[17:00] Why clean data matters more than new tool.[24:00] A breakdown of the eight levers and how they work together.[29:00] Stakeholder management and ecosystem thinking in practice.[35:00] The new role of AI in exposing weak learning strategies.[39:00] Why skills, not titles, will define the future of learning.[41:00] The human side of transformation: keeping people at the center.The Future of Learning Isn’t About Tech, It’s About LeverageLori’s framework flips the script on how organizations approach learning transformation. Rather than starting with technology, she urges leaders to first clarify their target operating model, data readiness, and stakeholder relationships. The result? Smarter decisions, stronger credibility, and sustainable change.Her book’s eight levers, ranging from content strategy to ecosystem alignment, help leaders navigate the “medium term” (through 2028) of rapid evolution in learning technology. As Lori puts it, the goal isn’t to adopt AI or automation for their own sake, it’s to make learning adaptive, outcomes-focused, and undeniably relevant.Data, Ecosystems, and the “Sexy Backend”Forget fancy dashboards, Lori believes the true revolution is happening behind the scenes. As user interfaces disappear and voice or text prompts replace them, differentiation will come from data governance, interoperability, and predictive insights. The backend, she says, is now where strategy lives.She emphasizes that AI doesn’t change the levers, it exposes their weaknesses. The organizations winning in this new era will be those that invest in clean data, aligned systems, and smart stakeholder engagement.Skills as the Spine of the Future WorkforceAmong the eight levers, Lori highlights skills as the “spine” connecting every other element of learning strategy.She challenges L&D professionals to stop chasing shiny taxonomies and instead treat skills like a supply chain, measured, managed, and constantly replenished. The goal isn’t just mobility or efficiency; it’s resilience.Resources & People MentionedL&D Tech Ecosystem 2020Skills OddysseyLearning Strategy paperLori's bookConnect with Lori Niles-HoffmanLori on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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    43 m
  • Three Futures for Learning: How AI Is Rewriting L&D with Donald H. Taylor and Eglė Vinauskaitė

    Three Futures for Learning: How AI Is Rewriting L&D with Donald H. Taylor and Eglė Vinauskaitė
    Oct 22 2025
    Just two years ago, AI was a shiny new object in L&D, with most professionals dabbling in small pilots and content creation experiments. The latest findings reveal an inflection point: the majority of L&D teams are now actively using AI, not merely testing it.This week, on the podcast are Donald H. Taylor and Eglė Vinauskaitė, the minds behind a groundbreaking new report, "AI & Learning 2025: Race for Impact." We’re exploring the rapid changes AI is bringing to Learning and Development (L&D), from early experimentation to widespread implementation, and what it means for the future of work.In this conversation, you’ll hear about the three distinct futures for L&D departments, how AI is moving beyond simple content creation into qualitative analytics and adaptive learning, and why team culture and leadership are crucial for success. We also dig into some big philosophical questions: How do we keep humans at the center of tech-driven workplaces? And how will AI reshape the very definition of value in L&D?This episode is packed with insights, data, and stories from organizations at the forefront of change. So, get ready to rethink how learning happens and how impactful workplace transformation can be.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...[00:00] How AI is transforming Learning and Development.[05:40] Transition from experimentation to mainstream implementation of AI in L&D.[13:31] Debunking the maturity model.[16:03] AI integration culture in organizations.[25:07] AI's impact on L&D values.[38:54] Necessity for L&D to demonstrate clear impact and unique value beyond content.[47:36] Leadership Beyond the L&D silo.[52:25] Introduction of the “transformation triangle”: three potential strategic futures.The Rapid Evolution of AI in L&DAI usage still predominantly supports content creation and design, but there’s an intriguing rise in more sophisticated applications, especially data analysis, dynamic feedback, and even AI-driven coaching. For L&D leaders, the big question is no longer “should we use AI?” but “how can we use it to unlock deeper value for our organizations?”What Sets Successful L&D Teams Apart?A critical insight from the report is the role of mindset and organizational culture in successful AI adoption. Teams thriving with AI aren’t necessarily bigger or better-resourced; they are “open” teams, led by individuals who embrace risk, imperfect information, and proactive change. These leaders are comfortable experimenting without knowing all the answers, an essential trait for the current landscape.True transformation requires more than tech skills; it demands business acumen, a robust understanding of performance, and an ability to integrate learning with business strategy. L&D teams must move from being passive order-takers to strategic partners, actively shaping how people develop and perform.AI: Threat or Opportunity for Traditional L&D Roles?For some, the rise of AI in learning is unnerving. Tasks once considered core, like instructional design or content creation, can increasingly be automated, often cheaper and faster than before. Taylor cautions that unless L&D professionals shift their value proposition from content production to driving true impact, their roles risk being diminished or redefined.But there is an opportunity for L&D to expand its influence. Rather than being relegated to the background, teams can now focus on performance support, skills stewardship, and facilitating human growth, areas where strategic thinking and deep expertise are critical and cannot be automated away.Three Futures for L&D: Skills Authority, Enablement Partner, Adaptation EnginePerhaps the most provocative segment of the episode introduced three possible “futures” for L&D roles in the AI era:Skills Authority: L&D becomes the custodian of skills, owning skill taxonomies, plumbing, and strategic workforce development. This future demands advanced expertise in identifying, building, and tracking capabilities crucial to business success.Enablement Partner: Here, L&D empowers employees across the organization to create their own learning solutions. The team shifts from direct content delivery to building infrastructure, processes, and trust, letting expertise flourish where it’s needed most.Adaptation Engine: The most radical scenario, where L&D is absorbed into cross-functional teams focused on rapid business adaptation. Learning professionals blend with design, tech, and operations to solve holistic problems, making learning indistinguishable from broader performance improvement.While AI will eventually become as invisible as electricity, the human element in learning, facilitation, creativity, and stewardship remains paramount. The priority for leaders now is to harness AI thoughtfully, ensuring it serves genuine learning and performance goals rather than just delivering faster horses. Resources & People MentionedAI in L&D: The Race For ImpactAI in L&D...
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    1 h y 6 m
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