Growth Hacking Culture

Are you tired of HR tools claiming to be "data-driven" without delivering real results? In this episode, we cut through the noise with Cole Napper, author of the upcoming book "People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset." Cole shares his expert insights on how to move your HR practices beyond gut instinct and truly leverage the power of people analytics and Generative AI.
 
Discover the fundamental principles of effective people analytics, and learn how organizations can demonstrably add value and calculate ROI by focusing on high-impact areas like multi-incumbent roles and performance variability.
 
Cole also demystifies the role of Generative AI in HR, predicting a significant transformation in the people analytics function. Imagine a future where report pulling, dashboard building, and even data manipulation are automated, freeing up HR professionals to focus on asking better questions and taking strategic action.
 
Key discussion points include:
Separating marketing hype from actual data-driven decision-making in HR tech.
 
The core of people analytics: using scientific methods to find evidence for what works.
 
Practical ways AI (beyond automation) will enhance HR, particularly people analytics.
 
The future skill set for people analytics professionals: embedding with the business to ask the right questions and drive action.
 
Ethical frameworks and the importance of judgment when implementing AI in HR, with Cole's advice to "not build the future you don't want to live in."
 
Overcoming HR's traditional conservatism by starting with AI applications that automate transactional, low-value tasks.
 
The surprising power of simple analytical methods, like comparing control groups to experimental groups.
 
The importance of people analytics teams committing to and being accountable for tangible business ROI.
 
This episode is a must-listen for HR professionals, business leaders, and anyone interested in the future of work, talent management, and the practical application of AI in business.
Pre-order Cole Napper's book, "People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset" (available August 26th, 2025, in the US, and early August 2025 in Europe).
Connect with Cole Napper on LinkedIn or check out his podcast, "Directionally Correct."

Welcome to the Growth Hacking Culture podcast! In this insightful episode, host Ivan sits down with renowned entrepreneur and author, Ken Rusk, to explore the critical topic of building truly autonomous teams. This isn't just about delegation; it's about fostering a culture of ownership where every team member thinks and acts like an entrepreneur within the company.
Ken, author of "Blue Collar Cash: Love Your Work, Secure Your Future, and Find Happiness for Life", shares invaluable strategies on how leaders can empower their teams to unlock their full potential and drive remarkable results. You'll discover how organizations with high levels of employee autonomy have reported 23% greater profitability compared to their counterparts.
Learn how to cultivate "interpreneurship" by aligning corporate goals with individual aspirations. Ken emphasizes that true motivation often goes beyond just money; it's about helping employees visualize and achieve their ideal lives through their work. We delve into the nine essential characteristics of autonomous individuals – persistence, resilience, initiative, courage, faith, vision, humility, and charity – and how to identify and awaken them within your team.
This episode offers practical advice for managers, including the impactful concept of public goal sharing to foster commitment and drive. Ken also previews his upcoming book, which will provide a boss's perspective on creating a culture that attracts and retains entrepreneurial talent. Tune in to transform your understanding of team dynamics and learn how to build self-managed units fueled by ownership thinking.
 
In this episode, you'll learn:
The significant financial benefits of fostering employee autonomy.
How to transition from traditional management to a culture of true ownership.
Why understanding individual dreams is key to unlocking team potential.
The nine core characteristics that define an "interpreneur".
Practical steps for leaders to inspire and maintain team autonomy.
 
About the Guest:
Ken Rusk is a seasoned entrepreneur and the author of "Blue Collar Cash." He is a strong advocate for empowering individuals to take control of their lives and careers. Read his latest book https://a.co/d/0SWWMwZ 
Connect with Ken Rusk: https://www.kenrusk.com/ or on LinkedIn 
 
Connect with the  Growth Hacking Culture Podcast: Subscribe now for more insights into sustainable growth and innovative leadership strategies!

Welcome to the Growth Hacking Culture podcast! In this compelling episode, we're joined by innovation thought leader and author, Frank Mattes, to dissect one of the corporate world's most significant hurdles: scaling innovation despite abundant resources. Frank introduces his powerful "now and new" framework, explaining the inherent tension between a company's established operations (the "now") and the development of disruptive new businesses (the "new").
 
You'll gain invaluable insights into:
The core problem: two incompatible systems co-existing under one roof, and how to make them collaborate for future-proofing your company.
Frank's actionable "system solution" built on three crucial pillars: processes, leadership, and people/culture.
The critical concept of "skin in the game" for senior management and the necessity of shared goals between the "now" and the "new".
Why traditional approaches like the Lean Startup often fail in a corporate context, and how to adapt for true corporate scaling.
The strategic importance of "ambidextrous" talent – those individuals who can bridge the gap between innovation and existing business.
Powerful lessons from the contrasting fates of Kodak and Fujifilm, highlighting the vital role of corporate self-awareness and leadership in transformation.
Frank Mattes, with decades of experience advising leading companies, shares his practical "lean scale-up approach" as a roadmap for sustainable growth and transforming organizations into true innovation engines. If you're grappling with corporate innovation, seeking sustainable growth, or just curious about how companies can truly embrace change, this episode is a must-listen!
Connect with Frank on LinkedIn
Check his latest book NOW and NEW: How Companies Can Use Their Capabilities For Scaling Innovation and Generating New Growth
Follow the Growth Hacking Culture Newsletter on LinkedIn
I publish twice per week
 

Are universities truly preparing the next generation of leaders? This episode of the Growth Hacking Culture podcast features Dr. Cedric B. Howard, author of "Unshakable Leadership," as we tackle the critical gap between graduate capabilities and the demands of today's organizations.
Dr. Howard, with his unique blend of academic depth and corporate insights, reveals why traditional leadership education often falls short. We explore the persistent need for leaders who can foster innovation, navigate ambiguity, and build resilient teams in a constantly disrupted world.
Read his book: Unshakable Leadership: The Resilient Path to Confidence, Strategic Thinking, and Inspiring Results   
Connect with Cedric on LinkedIn or his website  
Discover the "blind spots" in many universities, steeped in tradition and top-down leadership, which hinder the development of essential "people skills" or soft skills. Dr. Howard highlights critical gaps in emotional intelligence, resiliency, the ability to give and receive feedback, and strategic decision-making among young leaders.
This conversation emphasizes the shared responsibility between educational institutions and corporate entities in shaping future leaders. We discuss how to provide practical exposure through internships, study abroad, and real-life scenarios, mirroring successful models like the U.S. Navy's officer training.
A key focus is on the most critical leadership skills needed today: resiliency and strategic thinking, enabling leaders to "bounce back" under pressure and make informed decisions by listening to comprehend, not just respond.
Furthermore, Dr. Howard shares pedagogical approaches that are most effective in a corporate setting, emphasizing feedback, reflection, analysis, and doing things in a safe environment. He advocates for real-life case studies, role-playing, and project-based learning, alongside the crucial role of mentoring and succession planning.
Finally, we delve into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in leadership development. Dr. Howard encourages embracing AI as a powerful tool for feedback, strategic thinking, and accelerating leader development in a safe and ethical manner. He argues that AI can help overcome human "blind spots" by providing objective analysis, fostering self-discovery, and enhancing internal capacity for leaders.
 
Tune in to challenge your assumptions and deepen your understanding of how to truly prepare the next generation for unshakable leadership.
 
Subscribe to the monthly Simply Human Newsletter (Unreasonable ideas for great people at work - Growth hacking human-centred performance, innovation and work culture)

Cut through the noise surrounding artificial intelligence and discover a grounded, actionable approach to AI adoption in this insightful podcast episode featuring the expertise of Paul Gibbons. A seasoned author, speaker, and consultant with over three decades of experience navigating complex organizational transformations, Paul, the driving force behind "Adopting AI: The People First Approach," provides a much-needed practical perspective on integrating AI successfully and ethically.
Are you among the over 70% of organizations exploring or implementing artificial intelligence, yet struggling to realize significant positive business outcomes? Research indicates that a crucial missing piece for more than half of these initiatives is a focus on the human element. This episode dives deep into why a people-first strategy isn't a soft skill but a fundamental necessity for achieving tangible results and sustainable AI implementation.
Paul Gibbons expertly unpacks the compelling data demonstrating a strong link between prioritizing ethical AI frameworks and significant gains in customer loyalty and trust. He articulates a clear and compelling vision for placing people at the heart of every stage of your AI strategy, from initial planning and development through deployment and ongoing management. This isn't about hindering technological advancement; it's about strategically weaving human values, skills, and understanding into the fabric of your technology adoption process.
Drawing on his extensive experience, Paul offers practical guidance on navigating the complexities of AI implementation, contrasting top-down and bottom-up strategies and highlighting the critical nuances of each. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique capabilities and limitations of artificial intelligence to foster realistic expectations, effectively manage potential AI risks, and cultivate a collaborative environment where humans and AI systems can work in powerful synergy.
A key focus of our conversation is the urgent need for widespread AI upskilling and AI literacy across all levels of your organization. Paul addresses the concerning gap in AI training, particularly among leadership, and outlines the essential dimensions of AI literacy that empower employees to navigate the evolving technological landscape with confidence. He also sheds light on the often-overlooked dangers of shadow AI and underscores the necessity of establishing robust ethical frameworks and clear guardrails to mitigate potential vulnerabilities and ensure responsible AI governance.
At its core, adopting AI with people at the center, as Paul eloquently explains, is about grounding your technological ambitions in a clear understanding of the "why." It's about aligning your AI initiatives with genuine human needs, values, and goals, ensuring that this powerful technology serves to enhance human potential and well-being. He frames artificial intelligence not just as a technical tool but as a catalyst for critical reflection on our ethical responsibilities and the broader societal impact of this transformative technology.
Looking beyond immediate business applications, Paul touches upon the profound transformative power of AI across various facets of human life. He also shares thought-provoking insights into potential Utopian AI and Dystopian AI scenarios, encouraging listeners to engage in critical thinking about the future trajectory of artificial intelligence and the crucial choices we must make today to ensure its development aligns with human values and aspirations.
This episode provides a vital roadmap for leaders, innovators, and anyone seeking to move beyond the hype and embrace a practical, ethical, and ultimately more successful approach to adopting AI by placing people firmly at the center of their strategy.
 
Get his latest book Adopting AI: The People-first Approach https://a.co/d/7D0nS2q  Connect with Paul https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulggibbons/ or at https://paulgibbons.net/
 
Subscribe to the Growth Hacking Culture Newsletter on LinkedIn 
 
 
 

In this insightful episode, we tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: remote work overload and the struggle to disconnect.
My guest, Steven Puri, founder of The Sukha Company, brings his unique perspective, shaped by years in the demanding film industry and the tech world, to explore how we can achieve better balance and well-being in the modern work landscape.   
Are you feeling constantly "on"? Do the lines between your work life and personal life seem to blur more each day? You're not alone. Studies show a significant rise in burnout and stress among remote employees, with many reporting longer hours and difficulty switching off. This episode dives deep into these challenges and offers actionable strategies to reclaim your time and mental space.   
Steven Puri shares his personal journey and the inspiration behind The Sukha Company, a platform dedicated to helping individuals cultivate focus, productivity, and happiness. We discuss practical tips for overcoming procrastination and overwhelm, including the power of breaking down tasks and creating a supportive work environment.   
We also explore the concept of "flow state" – that elusive zone of peak productivity and engagement – and how to cultivate it in your daily work. Puri provides valuable insights on minimizing distractions and creating a focused workspace, crucial for remote work success.   
Whether you're a remote work veteran or new to the world of working from home, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to help you disconnect, reduce stress, boost productivity, and ultimately, find greater happiness and fulfillment in your work and life.
The Sukha app is focused on remote workers who need to focus.  In particular, this app helps with overwhelm ("where to begin?") in the morning, distractions during the day, and "where did the day go?" at the end of the day - Try it for free
Get in touch with Steven Puri on LinkedIn
 
Another recommendation:
If you are neurodivergent with ADHD: Discover the roadmap to your ideal career with “Unlock Your Career Path: A Course for Neurodivergent ”! Designed for ADHD and neurodiverse minds, this coursebook by Shell Mendelson is your step-by-step guide to clarity and success.
 

In this insightful episode of the Growth Hacking Culture Podcast, we tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing leaders today: navigating uncertainty. The conversation explores the gap between the increasing complexity of the modern world and the preparedness of leaders to effectively manage it.
 
Our guest, Scott Marshall, CEO of Semester at Sea, brings his extensive experience in leading through complex and transformative periods to the discussion. We delve into the core issue: while studies show executives anticipate growing business challenges and identify complex problem-solving as a key 21st-century leadership skill, a significant number of leaders feel ill-equipped to handle change and ambiguous situations.   
We move beyond simply acknowledging the problem to exploring actionable strategies.
Key discussion points include:
Dissecting the difference between uncertainty and complexity and understanding how each impacts leadership.
Examining the psychology of uncertainty and why our brains are wired to struggle with it.
Practical approaches to training oneself and others to embrace uncertainty, emphasizing that it's a meta-skill requiring practice and experiential learning.  
The vital role of self-care, philosophical frameworks (like Stoicism and the Tao Te Ching), and community support in building resilience.
A candid discussion on finding personal meaning and motivation in the face of life's inherent uncertainty. 
 
Whether you're a seasoned executive, an emerging leader, or simply interested in personal growth, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways for cultivating resilience and thriving in an unpredictable world.
Know more about Semester at Sea https://www.semesteratsea.org/
Connect with Scott in LinkedIn
Listen to his podcast "As Unexpected" 
 
BONUS CONTENT:
Our latest report on Toxic Work Culture Trends 2025: Signs, Impacts, and Solutions
My Take on What Matters: The 2025 Workplace: Are You Ready for These Cultural Imperatives?
 
 

In this engaging and insightful episode, we sit down with David Fradin, a renowned product management expert and the author of "Building Insanely Great Products" to explore the essential elements of creating products that not only succeed in the market but also foster genuine customer love. David draws upon his extensive experience, including his work with industry giants like Apple and Hewlett-Packard, to provide actionable strategies and a fresh perspective on product development.
We delve into why a customer-centric approach is paramount, emphasizing that prioritizing customer satisfaction often leads to greater long-term profitability than solely focusing on short-term gains. David challenges the "ready, fire, aim" mentality prevalent in some tech circles and advocates for a more thoughtful, research-driven process rooted in design thinking.
Key topics covered in this episode include:
The surprisingly high failure rate of new products and the significant financial losses this represents.
The critical importance of truly understanding customer needs, motivations, and pain points through observation, interviews, and surveys.
Why relying solely on "wisdom of the crowds" and big data analytics can be misleading, and the limitations of social recommendation engines.
Apple's strategic approach to product development, including their focus on unmet needs, careful timing of product launches, and cultivation of customer loyalty.
The crucial role of company values in guiding decision-making and fostering a customer-centric culture within an organization.
The importance of shifting the mindset of employees from simply "selling a product" to genuinely caring about the customer's experience and satisfaction.
This episode is a must-listen for product managers, marketers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone seeking to create innovative and impactful products and build lasting customer relationships.
Connect with David on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfradin/ or listen to the Spice Catalyst Podcast https://spicecatalyst.com/spice-catalyst-podcast/
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Unlock more strategies for building meaningful connections and understanding human behavior. Join the Simply Human community – subscribe to the newsletter at https://simplyhuman.substack.com/
 

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into a crucial topic that challenges our understanding of ethical living: the profound impact of inaction. We often believe that having good intentions is enough, but what if the things we don't do carry as much weight—or even more—than our actions?
We explore compelling examples, from global issues like preventable diseases and corporate sustainability to individual habits, to reveal how inaction contributes to suffering and hinders progress. We tackle tough questions like, "Should we even care?" and examine the tension between personal well-being and the urgent need for change.
This episode features an insightful interview with Nick Cooney, a leading expert on effective altruism and the psychology of ethical action, and author of "Change of Heart" and "Why We Love and Exploit Animals".
Reach out to Nick on his website https://nickcooney.com/ or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcooney1/
Tune in to discover:
Why good intentions aren't enough
The psychology of inaction
How to overcome our biases and evolutionary tendencies
Strategies for allocating resources (time, money, energy) to maximize positive impact
The role of individuals and corporations in driving change
Get ready to shift from being a passive observer to an active change-maker. This episode will empower you to move beyond good intentions and take meaningful action to create a better world.
Nick's latest book is What We Don't Do - Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More
Want to learn how to build purpose, human and business growth? Check PeopleKult's Inner Sustainability Accelerator Program

Are you ready to explore the cutting edge of leadership development? In this insightful episode, we sit down with Sarah Touzani, founder of Waggle AI, to delve into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way organizations cultivate their leaders. We're moving beyond the limitations of traditional, "one-size-fits-all" approaches and embracing a future where leadership training is personalized, data-driven, and profoundly effective.
The world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace. AI is rapidly transforming how we learn, and its impact on leadership training is undeniable. Yet, many organizations are still hesitant to fully adopt these new technologies. Traditional leadership development often falls short, failing to address individual needs and the dynamic challenges of the modern workplace. Studies consistently reveal that companies struggle to create effective leadership pipelines, with a significant gap between current leadership capabilities and future needs.  
 
This is where AI steps in, offering the promise of tailored, data-driven development, capable of providing ongoing support, practice opportunities, and valuable feedback. But how do we harness the power of AI while retaining the essential human touch in leadership development?   
 
In this episode, Sarah Touzani shares her expertise and vision on this critical topic. Sarah's background is impressive, and her company, Lale, is at the forefront of this transformation, providing an AI co-pilot for people who manage people.   
 
We begin by exploring Sarah's journey and the inspiration behind Waggle. Sarah, who grew up in Morocco and studied in France, initially pursued finance, working in banking and insurance. However, her path took a turn when she joined an early-stage Fintech startup in London called CreditSpring. There, she faced the challenge of building a company culture and developing its people. This experience ignited her passion for addressing the widespread issue of ineffective management and leadership development.   
 
A key problem Sarah identified is that leadership development hasn't evolved with the times. Training methods remain rooted in outdated approaches, despite research from as far back as the 19th century demonstrating their ineffectiveness. This realization fueled her determination to find a better way.   
 
We discuss the shortcomings of traditional leadership training, recalling familiar scenarios of lengthy, impersonal training sessions and binders full of rarely used materials. These methods often fail to translate into real behavioral change and lack relevance to the day-to-day challenges faced by leaders.   
 
A central question we tackle is why these ineffective methods persist. Is it due to a lack of effort from HR, or has there simply been a lack of viable alternatives? Sarah argues that it's not laziness but a combination of factors, including the absence of effective solutions and a "content generation mindset" within the Learning and Development (L&D) space.   
 
Historically, training has focused on knowledge transfer, with limited emphasis on practical application and behavioral change. The rise of online learning has often simply replicated this model, replacing in-person lectures with videos. However, advances in behavioral science and AI now offer the potential to move beyond content consumption and drive real impact.   
 
We also address the importance of shifting the focus of L&D teams from content consumption to measurable impact on behavior and organizational outcomes. This requires a change in how success is measured, moving beyond completion rates to actual changes in leadership behaviors.   
 
The conversation then turns to the cost factor. Effective leadership development, with personalized coaching and ongoing support, has traditionally been expensive, limiting its accessibility to senior leaders. AI offers a solution to scale personalized development and make it available to a wider range of employees.   
 
We explore the role of AI coaching and its potential to complement or even replace human coaches. While AI can provide valuable feedback and support, the importance of human connection and trust in coaching relationships is also acknowledged. Lale's approach focuses on AI as a "co-pilot," providing self-awareness and feedback in the flow of work, enhancing but not necessarily replacing human coaching.   
 
Interestingly, we also discuss how different generations perceive and adopt AI. Younger generations may be more comfortable receiving feedback from AI, perceiving it as less judgmental and more objective.   
 
Crucially, we address the ethical considerations of using AI in leadership development, particularly concerning data privacy and bias. Sarah emphasizes the importance of data encryption, user data ownership, and the ability to control when AI is used. The inherent biases in AI, reflecting the biases of its creators and the data it's trained on, are also discussed.   
 
Finally, we paint an ideal picture of leadership development: one that is timely, personalized, safe, and encourages experimentation and learning from failure. We explore how Waggle's AI co-pilot aligns with this vision, providing actionable feedback on behaviors and meeting dynamics, fostering self-awareness, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.   
 
This episode is a must-listen for HR professionals, business leaders, and anyone interested in the future of leadership and the transformative power of AI.
 
Highlights:
03:17 - Sarah's Background and the Genesis of Waggle
08:16 - The Problem with Traditional Leadership Training
11:55 - Why Hasn't Leadership Development Evolved?
21:15 - AI Coaching vs. Human Coaching
30:12 - AI and the Human Element in Leadership Development
35:32 - Addressing Biases in AI
41:55 - The Ideal Leadership Development Scenario
45:39 - How Waggle Works: AI as a Co-pilot
51:56 - Measuring Culture with AI
54:47 - AI in Physical Meetings
57:38 - The Importance of Knowing What You're Good At
59:25 - Actionable Feedback from AI