David Lahey is on a mission to remove the guesswork by using workplace analytics to match the right people to fit within the ever-evolving, and complex and subtle workplace culture. Lahey pointed out that there are many factors you need to consider in finding out if the individual qualifies for the job and matches your needs. He discussed the role of Predictive Success and its unique survey-based system that equips HR professionals with more expertise in hiring practices–from identifying top talent to improving employee retention. The ingenious algorithm-based AI software not only promises, but has the potential to revolutionize the e-recruitment industry. He also highlighted the enlightening use of behavioural science in determining the best types of work, a factor that can significantly impact job satisfaction.
Can you tell us about your company?
Predictive Success is a management consulting company that uses behavioural analytics for hiring and inspiring great employees in the world of talent optimization. In the past, companies used assessments like colours, discs, or Myers-Briggs. What we do is bring analytics through a two-question survey-based system. We train a lot of leaders and supervisors to use behavioural analytics for the right hire, and for being a great coach and mentor.
What role does AI play in HR?
The Predictive Index (PI) software allows us to study trends that companies have had success in. Looking for the trends of top performers; like the top sales performers, top business performers, and business development performers. Most of them are assertive, and they have the ability to work very quickly and tenaciously, and are able to deal with variety and uncertainty. Most top businesspeople have the ability not to get stuck in the details, but to get the work done. Our software allows us to study those trends and calculate the probability of new people being successful behaviourally in the role. The data has been helpful for companies to hire faster and to onboard employees.
What is the key to keeping employees happy and satisfied at work?
When people are happy and satisfied at work, it is Nirvana. Our motto is, “Better work, better world.” If the boss is a bully or a bad boss, then that creates collateral damage at work. When the personality matches the job model, we tend to see higher levels of engagement at work and happier employees. People don’t leave the company; they leave the leader. When the manager has new insights on how to manage the employee, from their perspective, that’s very helpful. We did over 300,000 surveys in Canada last year.
The ‘number one’ reason Gen Z leaves jobs is when they feel that their managers don’t care about them. By providing managers with more insight, on how to understand the drives and behaviours of employees, this allows them to manage better. It’s like having a second paycheck for that employee, because they’re being recognized properly. They are being coached from their world, and they are being set up for success. That can happen only when we put them in a job that suits them behaviourally.
Can you tell us about the Predictive Index AI Software?
The Predictive Index is a behaviour-based stimuli tool that allows us to understand the person’s key drives; for example, things like assertiveness, extroversion, patience, detail, decision making, and ability to respond to the environment. It allows us to understand our core personalities, and the changes we are trying to make when we are at work. Some changes are too much for the employee, and that leads to disenchantment or resignation; other changes are fine. The Predictive Index is a
five-to-six-minute survey based on adjectives; it uses descriptors to predict personalities for organizations and jobs. We worked with many organizations to analyze behavioural tendencies, which led to the best communication strategy within each team.
What helpful tips would you give managers, on hiring people and building successful teams?
You need to take the time to understand the job to be done. You also need to know what the team looks like. Some teams are full of innovators, some are full of process people, some are full of teamwork and employee effectiveness, and some are results-driven.
David Messiha | Staff Writer
