1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 What does it really look like to run the entire People function solo — and still operate at a strategic level? In this episode, Anisha Thomas, Head of People at Inscribe, shares what it takes to be a team of one at a fast-paced AI startup. From managing headcount planning without over-hiring to leaning on tech to avoid burnout, she offers a refreshingly honest look at how she keeps her footing in the chaos. If you’ve ever worn “all the hats,” this one’s for you. 🔑 Key Takeaways Leadership Without a Team Anisha reflects on how returning to IC work after leading a team has sharpened her understanding of what real leadership requires — trust, delegation, and a deep knowing of where she adds the most value. Strategy Needs Time Balancing operational fire drills with strategic priorities is hard — but having a clear North Star for the day, week, and quarter helps her stay grounded and protect time for long-term thinking. AI as a Teammate, Not a Threat From tools like Ashby and Lattice to constant use of ChatGPT, she’s finding ways to automate the admin and protect energy for what matters most — culture, trust, and conversations. Reimagining Headcount Planning Instead of annual hiring plans, Inscribe ties new roles to real business triggers. It’s a shift from “gut feel” to metrics and milestones — and it could help stabilize People orgs for the long haul. ⏱️ Timestamped Highlights 00:55 – “I’m a team of one.” Anisha shares how her role has evolved from builder to leader… and back again. 02:19 – How she splits her time between candidate calls, performance reviews, and strategy. 04:14 – The cost of context switching, and how she protects her time with clear priorities. 06:04 – Why she was nervous to hire her first team… and what she learned about delegating. 09:48 – Connecting the dots across the org — even without a big team. 12:20 – The People tech stack she swears by — and how AI makes her life easier. 14:25 – The future of People teams: small, efficient, and AI-enabled. 16:57 – How tying headcount to revenue milestones changes the talent game. 18:50 – Why being in the weeds will always be a superpower — even for leaders. 🔁 Quote Worth Sharing “I don’t want there to be a disconnect between what we’re building and how we work. So being AI-enabled isn’t optional — it’s table stakes.” — Anisha Thomas 📎 Resources Mentioned Ashby (for recruiting automation) Lattice (performance + engagement) The Talent Tango http://www.elevano.com <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/37264295/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/190339150