The human algorithm: Balancing empathy, tech & leadership with Pinaki Kathiari

Join Staffbase’s Lottie Bazley as she sits down with Local Wisdom CEO Pinaki Kathiari for a deeply human conversation about clarity, communication, and the emotional reality of modern work. With nearly two decades of experience helping global brands turn dense and complex information into accessible content, Pinaki reveals the mindset behind simplifying without dumbing down, staying authentic without over-scripting, and communicating difficult messages with honesty and care.

Lottie and Pinaki explore when empathy becomes over-protection, why clarity matters most during layoffs and reorgs, and how innovation is often born from discomfort. This episode also dives headfirst into today’s hottest topic: AI. Pinaki breaks down why AI should act as a co-pilot — not a ghostwriter — and how over-reliance on automation is already eroding trust in the workplace. Packed with practical guidance and real-world examples, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to make work more human.

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Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Connect with Pinaki on LinkedIn; Local Wisdom, a digital communications agency that Pinaki is the owner and CEO of; Resource Hero, an intuitive resource management and time tracking solution on Salesforce; Why Does It Feel So Wrong To Be Human At Work?, a podcast where Pinaki Kathiari & Chris Lee challenge traditional best practices in the workplace; Chuck Gose, ICology Founder, Internal Communications Showman

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Follow the host and guest: Lottie Bazley on LinkedIn, Pinaki Kathiari on LinkedIn

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About Staffbase:

Staffbase is the first AI-native Employee Experience Platform. With Staffbase, companies reach everyone across app, intranet, email, SMS, digital signage, and Microsoft 365 — alongside new experiences like personalized podcasts and an AI assistant. Around 2000 organizations rely on Staffbase to inspire people and drive measurable impact.

More information: www.staffbase.com