The ScienceForWork Podcast

Leading Through Uncertainty with Joshua Steinfeldt

How do you lead well when the ground keeps moving? In this episode of the ScienceForWork podcast, host Matt Lampe talks with leadership coach Joshua Steinfeldt about what it looks like to lead through uncertainty. Drawing on positive psychology, contemplative science, and years of one-on-one work with leaders, Joshua brings together modern research and ancient wisdom in a way that's refreshingly practical for a moment that often feels anything but. Together, they explore: * Equanimity as a leadership capacity, not just a meditation concept * The role of the pause in agility and decision-making * What it means to be a secure base for the people you lead * How to hold both loss and new beginnings at the same time This episode is for leaders, coaches, and anyone feeling the weight of leading through change right now and looking for something worth carrying with them. Links: https://practicingcourage.com/ [https://practicingcourage.com/] The Courageous Life podcast (available wherever you listen) ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners who #MakeWorkBetter.ScienceForWork.com

Exploring People Intelligence with Cole Napper

Cole Napper returns to ScienceForWork as the newly appointed Chief People Intelligence Officer at HR Bench, and brings a provocative claim: people analytics is now a commodity, and what comes next is something he calls people intelligence. In this conversation, Cole and Matt explore: * Why the four branches of HR data — people analytics, talent intelligence, workforce planning, and behavioral science — are collapsing into a single intelligence layer * How AI is forcing a rebuild of HR from first principles, and why large enterprises may face the steepest climb * The case for "tokenomics" as the next workforce planning challenge — and why hourly token cost vs. hourly human cost is closer than most leaders think * What it means to do science when the field is changing faster than the research can keep up More from Cole: * Directionally Correct podcast: https://www.colenapper.com/podcast [https://www.colenapper.com/podcast] * People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset (book): https://www.colenapper.com/book [https://www.colenapper.com/book] * Cole's site & newsletter: ⁠https://www.colenapper.com⁠ [https://www.colenapper.com] * HR Bench: https://hrbench.com [https://hrbench.com] Enjoying ScienceForWork? Follow the show on Spotify and share this episode with a colleague who's thinking about the future of HR. ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners who #MakeWorkBetter. ScienceForWork.com

Rethinking Employee Listening Programs with Craig Starbuck, PhD

What does it actually take to turn employee listening into meaningful organizational change? In this episode of the ScienceForWork podcast, host Matt Lampe talks with Craig Starbuck, PhD — CEO and co-founder of OrgAcuity and President of the Society for People Analytics — about what it means to build listening programs that drive action. Craig makes the case that people analytics is fundamentally a change management function, and that listening programs built without that lens will rarely move the needle. Drawing on his background spanning engineering, people analytics, and organizational leadership, he shares what a smarter approach looks like — one that reflects how people actually work, not just how the org chart says they should. Together, they explore: * Why change appetite has to be assessed before any listening effort begins * How stakeholder buy-in shapes whether insights ever become action * What organizational network analysis reveals that traditional survey platforms miss * How employee listening needs to evolve alongside the way work is changing This episode is for HR leaders, people analytics practitioners, and anyone who has wondered why employee feedback so rarely leads to meaningful change. Links: https://orgacuity.com/ https://societyforpeopleanalytics.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-starbuck-phd/ ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners who #MakeWorkBetter. ScienceForWork.com

Navigating Change & Understanding the Human Experience at Work with Shonna Waters, PhD

In this episode of the Science For Work podcast, Matt Lampe talks with Shonna Waters about the human experience of change in organizations. Shonna emphasizes the importance of addressing fundamental human needs—security, growth, and significance—during periods of change, and how psychological ergonomics can help align organizational goals with these needs. The conversation also explores the challenges of communication during change, the impact of altitude sickness on leaders' perceptions, and the significance of identity in navigating change. Shonna offers insights on building trust, managing performance dips, and fostering resilience by focusing on identity. Links: Shonna Waters on Substack: https://substack.com/@drshonnawaters Shonna Waters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonna-waters/ ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners working to #MakeWorkBetter. ScienceForWork.com

Curiosity as a Psychological Tool for Work and Leadership with Dr. Todd Kashdan

In this episode of the Science for Work podcast, Matt Lampe and Todd Kashdan discuss the importance of wellbeing in the workplace, emphasizing that authenticity is often misunderstood. They explore how managers can create environments that foster curiosity and engagement while navigating conflicts. Kashdan also highlights the role of AI in enhancing meaning and purpose at work, and the significance of cognitive flexibility. The episode concludes with practical advice on using personal life to heal from workplace challenges and the importance of curiosity as a tool for growth. Links: Todd Kashdan’s Substack: https://toddkashdan.substack.com/ Todd Kashdan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddkashdan/ ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners working to #MakeWorkBetter. ScienceForWork.com