David Blake -- rattled in the wake of a tough standardized exam – was doing some independent research in his high school library when it dawned on him that while he was a top-notch student, he was a terrible learner. From then on, he committed to changing a system that had encouraged him to merely “jump through hoops.” Through his companies Degreed, and more recently, BookClub, Blake has sought to change how individuals and corporations alike perceive education and learning. Rather than helping employees become their best selves, he tells host Shiv Gaglani, companies historically saw education in terms of regulatory compliance, of “checking a box.” But Blake sees this as wholly inadequate in a world where people get more and more of their education outside of formal institutions, and where new technology develops at dizzying speed. Ultimately, Blake sees a paradox: “If you're willing to skill someone up in a way that actually makes it easier for them to leave, they're actually more likely to stay.” Tune in to hear why Blake thinks our current way of talking about education is absurd, the enduring role of the book in today’s learning culture, and how a shot-in-the-dark email to Mark Cuban saved his company. If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You
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