For the milestone 50th episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells pulls back the curtain on The Happy Employees with co-host YV from Zivy. Wells shares her journey from a behavior analyst working with vulnerable populations to organizational culture advisor, revealing how poor workplace culture doesn't just hurt businesses but burns people out of entire industries. The conversation explores the critical link between employee contentment and business performance, with Wells arguing that true workplace happiness isn't constant joy but sustainable contentment where employees stop hitting snooze buttons because they're excited to start their workday. The episode introduces The Happy Employees' AI plugin that analyzes Slack conversations to generate Employee Happiness Scores, measuring everything from communication patterns to response latency. Wells explains how the platform identifies negative, positive, and neutral factors affecting workplace culture while maintaining employee anonymity. Beyond the technology, he emphasizes the human element through culture advisors who observe actual workplace dynamics and implement simple yet effective changes. The discussion reveals how behavior analysis principles apply to organizational performance, treating culture improvement like performance management for the business itself rather than just individual employees. Music By: Harvey Waldman

Performance Improvement Plans have become workplace weapons disguised as development tools, with 72% of employees viewing them as termination paperwork rather than genuine growth opportunities. Host Britton Wells and guest Nicole Gill dissect why traditional PIPs fail spectacularly, revealing that only 36% of employees actually improve under these plans. The conversation exposes the fundamental flaw: most managers skip crucial expectation-setting conversations and jump straight to documentation mode, creating distrust instead of development. The duo explores practical alternatives that actually work, emphasizing honest conversations, collaborative development plans, and manager accountability. They highlight how proper expectation setting, regular feedback, and genuine investment in employee growth can transform potential terminations into success stories. The episode serves as a wake-up call for organizations still relying on outdated performance management tactics that damage culture while failing to achieve their stated goals. Music by: Harvey Walman

In this episode of "Take It Online" host Brittain Wells sits down with her colleague Nicole Gill to have an open and honest discussion about the ongoing issue of interruptions in the workplace. The two acknowledge that interruptions can stem from a variety of motivations, ranging from a desire to contribute ideas quickly to an underlying need for control and dominance in a conversation. Throughout the dialogue, Brittain and Nicole unpack the nuances of "good" versus "bad" interruptions, examining how intent and communication styles can shape the impact. They offer insightful strategies for addressing habitual interrupting behaviors, such as utilizing video feedback to raise self-awareness and establishing collaborative ground rules. Ultimately, the hosts emphasize the importance of fostering mutual understanding, respect, and a willingness to adapt one's communication approach in order to cultivate more productive, inclusive workplace dynamics. Listeners are sure to come away with a renewed perspective on managing the delicate balance of interruptions. Music by: Harvey Waldman Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

In 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 startups rely heavily on intuition and gut feelings, much like the stories behind Netflix, SpaceX, and FedEx. As companies mature and gain more resources, the decision-making process shifts from instinct-driven choices to data-driven approaches. The hosts emphasize that the key to effective startup decision-making lies in understanding team perspectives, maintaining pure intentions aligned with company mission, and developing the cognitive ability to quickly weigh pros and cons across multiple scenarios. This balance of trust, speed, and strategic thinking becomes the formula that separates successful startups from those that get bogged down in endless deliberation. Music By: Harvey Waldman

In this episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells sits down with YV and Vivek, co-founders of Zivy, a groundbreaking AI solution addressing workplace communication overload. The discussion centers on how constant notifications create mental burden and anxiety, with YV and Vivek explaining how Zivy helps prioritize and synthesize workplace communications by displaying one message at a time and categorizing content intelligently. Brittain highlights the product's thoughtful design, including its calming interface and mindfulness prompts that appear when tasks are complete—features particularly valuable for overwhelmed managers who struggle with multitasking and need support maintaining team communication without sacrificing their productivity or wellbeing. Music by: Harvey Waldman

In this engaging episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells sits down with Zivy founders YV and Vivek to explore how their innovative AI solution transforms workplace productivity. Born from their experience at Razorpay, one of India's largest fintechs, Zivy addresses the challenge of maintaining employee motivation and productivity as organizations scale. Their web application intelligently filters communications across platforms like Slack, Gmail, and Jira, analyzing variables from sender roles to message tone to surface what truly matters. By eliminating the 90% of irrelevant messages managers typically face, Zivy enables professionals to focus on high-leverage work that brings fulfillment and purpose back to their daily tasks.   Music by: Harvey Waldman

In this thought-provoking episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells explores the delicate balance between managerial support and professional boundaries when dealing with employee grief. The conversation with Leisse Wilcox examines why high-achieving employees often return to work prematurely after personal tragedy and the physiological impacts that affect their performance. The discussion evolves into a fascinating exploration of the manager-versus-therapist debate, with Wilcox offering the insightful metaphor of "building gates rather than walls" - creating clear boundaries while maintaining compassion. The episode challenges popular workplace rhetoric about "family-like" environments, emphasizing instead a professional framework that allows humanity without sacrificing accountability. Wells and colleagues highlight the importance of decisive leadership during crisis, making difficult decisions for struggling employees while maintaining the perfect Venn diagram between compassion and productivity. Music by: Harvey Waldman

In this insightful episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells explores the delicate art of managing workplace conflict between high-performing employees. Comparing AI-generated advice with human emotional intelligence, the conversation illuminates how effective conflict resolution requires personalized approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. The discussion emphasizes creating structured conversations with clear agendas, allowing space for "airing grievances," and tailoring communication styles to the specific personalities and power dynamics involved. Wells and colleague Akhila highlight the importance of somatic awareness and powerful coaching questions like "What story are you telling yourself?" and "What are you making this mean about you?" - tools that help managers cut through mental clutter and address the emotional underpinnings of workplace tension.   Music by: Harvey Waldman

In this part 1 of a three part episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells pits emotional intelligence expert Leisse Wilcox against Anthropic's Claude AI to analyze workplace scenarios requiring emotional intelligence. Through a public relations crisis scenario, Wilcox demonstrates the nuanced human approach to emotional intelligence by emphasizing accountability, vulnerability, and rebuilding trust and safety—areas where Claude provides theoretical frameworks but lacks practical application. The episode brilliantly highlights how AI can serve as a valuable tool but cannot replace the human capacity for relationships, nuance, and authentic emotional connection in leadership situations. Music by: Harvey Waldman

In 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.   Music by: Harvey Waldman

In 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 themselves strategically in an era where AI literacy is becoming a fundamental workplace requirement.

In 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 life. Music by: Harvey Waldman

In 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. They highlight how these tools can enhance workplace productivity while maintaining human connection, offering practical advice for executives navigating the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem. Music by: Harvey Waldman

In 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 listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

In 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 professional experiences. By examining products like Carrot Care's health tracking and Before Sunset's intelligent scheduling, the hosts reveal how targeted AI interventions can potentially reshape how we work, communicate, and optimize our daily lives. Music By: Harvey Waldman

In this episode of Take It Online, hosts Britain Wells and Nicole discuss the phenomenon of boomerang employees - workers who leave an organization and later return. They explore how having boomerang employees can be a positive indicator of strong company culture, with research showing that 28% of new hires in 2023 were actually returning employees. The hosts discuss both the advantages and challenges of rehiring former employees, including their familiarity with company culture and systems, but also potential issues like favoritism and the need to understand their true motivations for returning. The discussion delves into important considerations for organizations, such as the trend of boomerang employees being rehired at higher management levels and their tendency to leave again after about a year. The hosts emphasize the importance of proper vetting, transparent conversations during the rehiring process, and maintaining regular check-ins to ensure both the returning employee and the organization benefit from the arrangement.

In this entertaining episode of "Take It Online," host Brittain Wells joins colleagues Akhila and Nicole to explore and react to five emerging tech startups. The trio engages in a playful format where Akhila introduces startup names and concepts while Brittain and Nicole attempt to guess their purposes before offering candid reactions. The episode examines AI-powered innovations including Magic Notepad (AI-enhanced note-taking), Horse (tab management for productivity), Inncivio (business micro-learning platform), Swarm Stack (product planning tools), and Tracy (Excel formula auditing). Their unfiltered commentary highlights both potential benefits and skepticism around these solutions, sparking a broader conversation about whether these startups solve genuine problems or merely address minor inconveniences. Music by: Harvey Waldman Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

Hi and welcome to our episode on Trauma Dumping in the workplace. During this episode Nicole and I do discuss some personal experiences with this particular topic, however none of the examples are based around exceptionally sensitive scenarios. But as a disclaimer, if this is a difficult topic for you, this may be an episode for you to skip. Also, if you are currently in crisis and having thoughts of self-harm or thoughts of harming others please call 988, which is the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Please also prioritize your health and wellness, and thanks for listening.

In 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 jargon that typically creates barriers to adoption within companies. Music by: Harvey Waldman Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

In this episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells and guest Nicole Gill dive into the science behind workplace recognition and how it differs from true reinforcement. They explore behavioral analysis principles, discussing how managers can effectively motivate employees beyond simple participation trophies. Gill explains that recognition only becomes reinforcement when it actually increases desired behaviors, emphasizing the need for individualized approaches and intermittent reinforcement schedules. The conversation challenges common workplace practices, revealing why blanket recognition strategies often fail while systems with clear expectations succeed. Wells and Gill offer practical insights for identifying what truly motivates different team members and how to implement recognition that drives performance rather than merely acknowledging it. Their discussion provides listeners with actionable strategies for creating lasting behavior change through scientifically-backed reinforcement techniques. Music by: Harvey Waldman Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.