Beyond the Spreadsheet: HR's Human Superpower with Toby Hough

The Happiness Index - Data. Insight. Stories

In a world obsessed with data, what if HR's true superpower isn't crunching numbers, but something far more intuitive and impactful?

This week, we're with the brilliant Toby, who just delivered a powerful message at our annual conference. For too long, HR has been told to "be more data-driven." But Toby challenges this notion head-on, arguing that our unique ability to feel the pulse of the organisation – to hear what others miss – is our undeniable strategic advantage.

We discuss the subtle but crucial shift from blindly following metrics to leveraging the "data with soul." Toby shares a powerful anecdote from a Chief People Officer who valued gut feel over spreadsheets in detecting cultural shifts. He highlights the dangers of data-driven assumptions, referencing an AI that recommended not hiring women of a certain age due to maternity leave patterns. This isn't just about ethics; it's about making decisions that truly benefit all your people.

Crucially, Toby reveals the Gartner CFO playbook stat: 10% remember a pure statistic, 25% remember it with an image, but a staggering 75% remember it when it's combined with an image and an impactful story. This is HR's sweet spot: bringing human stories to life alongside data, fostering empathy, and directly linking people insights to business outcomes.

Are you ready to redefine HR's strategic role, move beyond just numbers, and leverage your inherent ability to truly understand your people and drive core business performance?

Join us to uncover HR's Human Superpower.