Shows
Take It Online : HR Meets AIStartup Decision TrustIn this episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells explores the delicate balance between quick decision-making and trust in AI startups with co-hosts Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill. The conversation centers on a real-world scenario where a major decision was made without the usual team consultation, revealing the intricate dynamics of startup decision-making. Akhila explains that successful startups operate like "slimes" - flexible entities that can reshape themselves around their core mission and purpose, with trust serving as the binding agent that allows founders to make rapid gut decisions when needed.
The discussion reveals that early-stage...2025-05-1323 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIModern Employee BenefitsIn this lively episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells and colleagues Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill dig into what makes an attractive workplace benefits package. The trio dissects traditional expectations versus innovative perks, from unlimited PTO to onsite childcare. Their spirited debate highlights the tension between remote work flexibility and return-to-office incentives, questioning whether free lunches and game nights actually motivate employees facing long commutes. The conversation reveals how different benefits appeal to diverse workforce segments, showcasing that while some perks might seem universal, their value varies dramatically depending on individual circumstances and priorities.
2025-04-1824 minTake It Online : HR Meets AISkills Gap in the AI EraIn this episode of Take It Online, Brittain Wells and Akhila Nagula explore the critical topic of skill gap analysis in the workplace. They discuss how individuals can conduct a systematic self-assessment by listing current skills, researching industry trends, and leveraging AI tools like Claude to identify potential career paths. Akhila shares her personal methodology for conducting skill gap analysis, emphasizing the importance of categorizing abilities as technical, soft, or domain-specific skills, then researching how these skills might evolve with emerging technologies. The conversation highlights how AI can expedite this process, helping professionals prepare for future roles while positioning...2025-04-1121 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIAI Startup Review 4In this entertaining episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells joins Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill to explore emerging AI startups transforming the workplace landscape. The trio dissects four innovative platforms: Podial, which generates educational podcast scripts from documents; Cove, a visual workspace for collaborative thinking with AI; AnonAI, offering anonymous AI interactions without login requirements; and DreamUse, a tool that transforms dreams into visualized goals. Throughout their playful debate, they discuss the tensions professionals feel about adopting AI tools—a mixture of reluctance and necessity—highlighting the cultural shift occurring as AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily work...2025-04-0814 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIAI Startup Review 3In this insightful episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells engages in a dynamic conversation with industry experts Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill about revolutionary AI startups transforming the business landscape. The discussion explores how emerging companies like Sana AI, Humy AI, Kards AI, and Scrintal AI are leveraging artificial intelligence to solve organizational challenges, particularly in HR and employee experience. Nagula and Gill provide valuable perspectives on implementation strategies, potential limitations, and future trends that business leaders should monitor.
The experts emphasize the importance of thoughtful AI integration rather than adoption merely for technological advancement...2025-04-0118 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AITeam Compatibility TestIn this special episode of Take It Online, Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees, spices things up by putting Brittain Wells and Nicole Gill through a playful yet insightful professional compatibility quiz! Find out what personality traits these workplace culture experts prioritize in leadership, their take on office pet peeves, and which element—sunshine or lightning—best captures their vibe. Will they pass the compatibility test, or reveal just how different their work styles really are? Tune in for a blend of laughs, revelations, and workplace wisdom!
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can list...2025-03-2821 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIAI Startup Review 2In the latest episode of Take It Online, hosts Brittain Wells, Akhila Nagula, and Nicole Gill dive deep into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI startups, dissecting emerging platforms that promise to revolutionize workplace productivity and personal efficiency. From Averi's AI marketing management to Zivvy's Slack message prioritization, the conversation illuminates how generative AI is transforming mundane tasks into strategic opportunities, challenging listeners to reimagine technological potential.
The episode not only explores innovative tech solutions but also underscores a critical narrative: AI isn't just about automation—it's about understanding human workflow, reducing chaos, and creating more meaningful pr...2025-03-2519 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIAI Terms Made SimpleIn this enlightening episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells sits down with Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees, to unravel the often confusing world of artificial intelligence terminology. Their conversation cuts through the technical fog that surrounds AI discourse in workplaces today, offering listeners clear definitions plus practical applications.
Wells guides Nagula through a discussion that transforms intimidating tech talk into accessible knowledge specifically tailored for HR teams plus organizational leaders. The episode stands as an essential resource for professionals looking to implement AI solutions like The Happy Employees platform without getting lost in...2025-03-1122 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIHow to Prompt AIIn the latest episode of Take It Online, AI expert Akhila Nagula unveils the critical art of AI prompting. She breaks down the complex world of AI interaction into a systematic framework, emphasizing that every professional needs foundational AI literacy. Nagula introduces a strategic approach to crafting prompts, comparing AI interaction to communicating with a sophisticated teenager: precise, intentional, contextual.
The episode deconstructs prompting into five key elements: defining the AI's role (as who), identifying the target audience (to whom), establishing contextual information (from what), determining the desired output (to what), and specifying the communication style (how...2025-03-0419 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIPerformance Review and AI 2In this illuminating episode of 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘐𝘵 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦, host Brittain Wells alongside colleagues Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill dissect the flaws of traditional performance reviews with Barbra Gago, founder and CEO of Pando. Barbra shares insights from her extensive experience as a serial early-stage operator, including roles at Greenhouse, Culture Amp, and Miro. She identifies timing as the fundamental flaw in conventional review systems, explaining how annual reviews breed inauthentic behavior, recency bias, and politicking while failing to provide continuous growth opportunities. The conversation explores how cultural backgrounds impact self-advocacy, how poorly executed reviews damage company culture, and why competency-based feedback frameworks offer a more effective alternative f...2025-02-2526 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIUsing Emojis at Work
Are emojis the secret language of your workplace, and are you completely out of the loop? In this lively episode of Take it Online, host Brittain Wells with Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill, from The Happy Employees, dive into the fascinating world of emoji use in corporate communication. Discover how younger generations are redefining emojis—from the sarcastic thumbs-up to the passive-aggressive smiley face—and why leaders might need a crash course on what these symbols really mean. Is this digital shorthand bridging communication gaps, or leaving some feeling completely out of the conversation? Tune in to see how emojis are...2025-02-1419 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIAI & Data Analytics Part 2Take It Online delves into data analysis fundamentals with expert Akhila Nagula. The episode explores four essential types of analytics: descriptive (what happened), diagnostic (why it happened), predictive (future forecasting), plus prescriptive (action planning). Nagula provides practical guidance on evaluating data quality through accuracy, completeness, plus consistency. The discussion includes real-world applications for HR professionals, addressing challenges with fragmented data sources, personal information handling, plus strategic uses of AI in workplace analytics.
The conversation extends to specific HR applications, examining where AI-driven analysis proves beneficial (compensation benchmarking, career frameworks) versus areas requiring human judgment (performance reviews, promotion...2025-02-1125 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIToxic Workplace BehaviorsIn this explosive episode of "Take it Online," host Brittain Wells and guests Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill dive deep into the hidden world of workplace personalities. From the obsessive perfectionist to the brilliant jerk, they unveil the secret dynamics that could be sabotaging your team's success. Discover why some visionaries are nothing more than idea-spewing slackers, and learn how to spot the rebel who might just revolutionize your company—or tear it apart.
But that's not all! The trio also reveals the cutting-edge AI technology that's changing the game in workplace dynamics. Find out how The Ha...2025-02-0723 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIAI & Data Analytics Part 1In this first installment of a two part series, Nicole Gill probes data analytics expert, Akhila Nagula, through the fundamentals of leveraging AI tools for workplace analytics. The episode unpacks four essential types of analytics: descriptive (what happened), diagnostic (why it happened), predictive (what will happen), prescriptive (how to act). Through practical examples focused on HR scenarios, Nagula demonstrates how professionals can transform raw data into actionable insights using platforms like ChatGPT plus Claude.
In this opening episode of a two-part series on AI analytics basics, data expert Akhila Nagula breaks down how non-technical professionals can harness...2025-02-0422 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIDiscover Your Work StyleIn this episode of Take It Online, Brittain Wells, Akhila Nagula, and Nicole Gill dive deep into the fascinating world of workplace personalities. They explore how different styles—from the pragmatic to the empath—shape interactions, drive decision-making, and affect team dynamics. Do you prefer direct, results-driven colleagues or those who effortlessly read the room and navigate the emotions of others? And how does your own style influence the way you work?
This lighthearted but insightful conversation covers the pros and cons of different approaches, touching on everything from weather small talk to data paralysis. Whether you're the...2025-01-3119 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIAI and Accessibility Part 2In this part 2 episode of Take It Online, Joe Devon continues his conversation with Brittain Wells, Akhila Nagula, and Nicole Gill further dissecting the ethics, accessibility, and potential risks of emerging AI technologies. The discussion centers on the delicate balance between innovation and safety, particularly in the context of brain-computer interfaces and open-source AI. Joe raises critical concerns about the concentration of AI control in big tech, arguing for open-source models to promote transparency and accountability. The group also highlights AI's potential for empowering people with disabilities, like through tools that assist the visually or hearing impaired, while stressing...2025-01-2821 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIAI and Accessibility Part 1In this episode of Take It Online, Joe Devon, co-founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), joins Brittain Wells and co-hosts Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill to discuss the role of AI in improving accessibility for people with disabilities. Joe reflects on his journey from launching GAAD in 2011 to his ongoing advocacy for inclusive design in AI. He highlights the need for AI technologies to consider the diverse needs of neurodiverse individuals and others with disabilities, urging both the tech and accessibility communities to collaborate. Joe emphasizes that AI’s true power lies in its ability to personalize experiences, wh...2025-01-2722 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIDark Empaths at WorkIn this episode of Take It Online, Brittain Wells, Akhila Nagula, and Nicole Gill explore the intriguing concept of "dark empaths." They discuss the fine line between empathy and manipulation, especially in the workplace, diving into the different types of empathy—cognitive, emotional, and compassionate. They debate the pros and cons of dark empathy, how it can manifest in leadership, and its impact on company culture. Can being a dark empath make someone a more effective leader, or does it always lead to harm? Tune in for a deep dive into the gray areas of empathy!
Music by...2025-01-2421 minTake It Online : HR Meets AIImprove Emotional IntelligenceEmotional intelligence is fast becoming one of the most indispensable skills, not just at work but in life. In this episode of Take It Online, Brittain Wells, along with Nicole Gill and Akhila Nagula, dive deep into the art of managing emotions both your own and others'. They explore what emotional intelligence really means, its core components, and how to sharpen this skill. Through plenty of witty banter and real-world examples, the trio unpacks how emotional intelligence is crucial for being a competent leader and a balanced human being. From recognizing when you're about to make an emotional misstep...2025-01-1716 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIIs AI Worth the Hype?In this episode of "Take It Online", host Brittain Wells discusses artificial intelligence with guests Akhila Nagula and CJ Donio. CJ, a software industry veteran, shares insights on AI's rapid development and potential impacts. He discusses AI's evolution from novelty applications to more sophisticated reasoning and agentic capabilities.
The conversation explores both optimistic and pessimistic views on AI's future. While highlighting AI's potential benefits in healthcare and other fields, the guests also raise concerns about ethical implications, responsible development, and the need for public education on AI. They discuss the challenges of balancing innovation with safety considerations...2025-01-1430 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIAI EthicsIs AI's ethics keeping up with its rapid evolution?
In this thought-provoking episode of "Take It Online," host Brittain Wells sits down with Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees, to unpack the complex world of AI ethics. As artificial intelligence rapidly integrates into our personal and professional lives, Nagula sheds light on the urgent need for ethical guidelines and responsible AI development.
The conversation delves into the unique challenges posed by AI's swift adoption, contrasting it with previous technological revolutions. Nagula introduces listeners to the ten responsible AI principles, emphasizing the crucial role of...2025-01-0728 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIPolitical Discussion at WorkIn this episode of "Take it Online," host Brittain Wells, along with Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill from The Happy Employees, delve into the complexities of political discussions in the workplace. As election season heats up, the trio explores how companies can navigate the fine line between allowing free speech and maintaining a respectful, inclusive environment. Is there a place for political conversations at work, or are they a recipe for conflict? From the importance of clear policies to the challenges of cultural differences, they discuss how organizations can foster open dialogue without crossing the line into discrimination or...2024-10-2126 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AITalking Politics at WorkIn this eye-opening episode of "Take It Online," host Brittain Wells dives into the controversial topic of politics in the workplace with industry experts Mike Biamonte, CIO of Affinity Solutions, Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees and Nicole Gill, Partner and Organizational Culture Advisor for The Happy Employees. As election season heats up, they tackle the burning question: Can we really keep politics out of the office?
The guests share candid experiences and practical advice on managing political discussions at work, from setting boundaries to fostering inclusivity. They explore the fine line between free expression and...2024-10-0723 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIControversy with Open AI
In this episode of Take it Online, host Brittain Wells, Partner and Organizational Culture Advisor at The Happy Employees, is joined by Akhila Nagula, Founder of the Happy Employees & Nicole Gill, fellow Partner and Organizational Culture Advisor, to dive deep into the crucial role that company missions play in shaping the future of AI development.
We explore the responsibilities that AI companies must shoulder in their communication strategies, emphasizing transparency, ethical considerations, and the need to foster public trust. Additionally, we discuss how individuals and organizations should approach the use of AI, offering insights on mindful adoption and the potential i...2024-09-2326 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIAI BasicsIn the third episode of "Take it Online," host Brittain Wells sits down with Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees, to explore the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI). Akhila provides a clear and approachable introduction to what AI is. They discuss how AI is not just a futuristic concept but a present reality integrated into everyday life, often without us even realizing it.
Throughout the conversation, Akhila highlights practical examples of AI at work. She also offers valuable advice for individuals and organizations navigating this rapidly evolving technology landscape, and debunking some common myths and fears...2024-09-0927 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AIWorkplace HappinessIn the second episode of "Take It Online," hosts Brittain Wells, Partner and Organizational Culture Advisor at The Happy Employees, and Akhila Nagula, Founder of The Happy Employees, explore the concept of happiness and its influence on behavior and workplace dynamics.
This episode offers insightful perspectives on fostering a joyful and productive work environment, making it a must-listen for HR professionals, CEOs, and startup founders alike.
Discover the significance of clear communication, how personality differences affect work relationships, and effective strategies for managing initial workplace anxieties. Tune in to gain valuable insights and don’t for...2024-08-2631 min
Take It Online : HR Meets AINew Workplace CultureWelcome to the inaugural episode of "Take It Online," hosted by Brittain Wells, partner and organizational culture advisor at The Happy Employees. In this episode, we dive deep into the heart of workplace dynamics and explore how culture shapes the happiness and productivity of employees.
Joining Brittain are Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees, and Nicole Gill, an experienced executive leader in organizational development. Together, they discuss the concept of underlying psychosocial contracts between managers and teams, especially in startups.
The episode offers insights on navigating undefined expectations, building trust, and fostering a positive...2024-08-121h 04