As the director of People Analytics at Google for the last decade, Brian Welle’s world revolves around data. He has found that those hard, cold numbers can, when used properly, uncover the key attributes that make people better managers and team members. Once identified, the attributes can then be cultivated and instilled to boost performance. Welle spoke recently with Cade Massey , Wharton practice professor of operations, information and decisions and co-director of the Wharton People Analytics Initiative , about applying data analytics in the office. Massey is co-host of the Wharton Moneyball show on Wharton Business Radio on SiriusXM channel 111 , and this interview was part of a special broadcast on SiriusXM for the Wharton People Analytics Conference .

Welle identified eight attributes that define a top-performing manager: a good coach; empowers the team and does not micromanage; expresses interest in and concern for team members’ success and personal well-being; productive and results-oriented; good…