How Data is Reshaping the U.S. Army's Talent Strategy With Colonel Kris Saling

In this episode of the Second Business podcast, Dr. Ernest Wayde speaks with Colonel Kris Saling, a leader in people analytics, talent management, and customer experience. With over 20 years in the US Army, Colonel Saling drives data-driven initiatives to optimize talent strategies and human resource management as the director of innovation for the US Army Recruiting Command.

Colonel Saling shares her journey from studying emergent behaviors and complex systems to leveraging psychology and data analytics for better talent management in the Army. Her story highlights experiences with different leadership styles and her transition from counterterrorist analysis to executive coaching and keynote speaking.

The episode explores how data, psychology, and human behavior integrate into leadership development. Colonel Saling discusses understanding individuals' psychological needs, the impact of data-driven talent management on organizational effectiveness, and innovative approaches to decision-making and employee satisfaction.

Key Takeaways:

• Data-Driven Talent Management: The importance of using data to drive decisions in talent management, moving beyond assumptions to empirical data.

• Psychological Needs: Understanding and addressing the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to create a motivating work environment.

• Human-Centered Leadership: Recognizing the importance of relationships and tailoring leadership approaches to different contexts, especially in diverse organizations like the Army.

• Empathy in Change Management: Approaching change management from a point of empathy to understand why individuals do things a certain way and how to introduce new processes effectively.

• Team Dynamics: The significance of combining technical skills with soft skills to create high-performing teams that can communicate effectively with both technical and lay audiences.

To learn more about Colonel Kris Saling and connect with her

Visit her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-saling/ 

Her Website: https://kristinsaling.com/