VibeMakers: Using Predictive Thinking to Break Assumptions and Boost Innovation with Jake Brintzenhofe

When I got a note from a former coworker, Jake Brintzenhofe , asking if I had time for a quick chat, it was an easy yes.

"I promise it'll be a good use of your time and you'll interact differently with data and prediction having talked to me."

And honestly? I do.

We in the "the people & culture biz" talk a lot about data, design, and making impactful decisions. But I'm not sure we're all actually wired that way, you know? But that's ok!

We all have assumptions baked into how we design work. Some sound like “everyone should be in the office,” or “more hours = more output.” But what if those are just… untested hypotheses?

This week on VibeMakers, I sat down with Jake; data expert, culture activator, and Founder of Error Term Consulting, to talk about how predictive modeling mindsets can transform how we lead, hire, and build cultures that work for real humans.

And guess what…you don’t need a math degree to use this mindset (yay!).

Jake breaks down how we can shift from gut-based decisions to learning loops: making culture decisions, testing them openly, and iterating in real-time based on results, not assumptions.

What we covered:

✅ Why engagement surveys might be lying to you

✅ How to break hiring bias with actual insights

✅ Why culture isn’t about averages...it’s about edge cases (I'm here for the edge case)

✅ How to replace rigid rules with meaningful incentives

One of my favorite takeaways:

“Every policy is an assumption - test it like a hypothesis.”

Listen and discover

This episode is a must-listen for HR, Ops, and leadership folks ready to take a smarter, more human approach to culture building.

👀 Watch here

🎧 Listen here

💬 I’d love to hear—what assumptions are you testing in your org?

Final thoughts

We talk about innovation, agility, and inclusivity…but when was the last time we truly tested if those values are reflected in how we work?

Jake reminds us that curiosity isn’t just a personality trait; it’s a leadership tool. And some of the best culture work starts with a simple question: “What if we’re wrong?”

One way you can't go wrong? Setting up a call with Jake. His hypothesis was right. It was a good use of my time.

His hypothesis was right. It was a good use of my time.

What’s next?

Next up on VibeMakers, I’m thrilled to welcome Brian Vogel, Leadership and HR Performance Coach at Sundog Coaching . We’ll dive into how managers shape culture (for better or worse), the magic of the Working Genius framework, and how preemptive vulnerability is a leadership superpower.

Brian’s knowledge and willingness to share is inspiring, and his insight into manager development is something every culture builder should hear. Stay tuned!

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