The Learning+ Podcast Ep. 33: From Helpful to Strategic in L&D with Jess Almlie
Dec 21, 2025
Jess Almlie, a learning and development leader and author of 'L&D Order Taker No More,' dives into transforming L&D from a service-based role into a strategic partner. She discusses the harmful habits that keep L&D stuck in a transactional mindset and emphasizes the importance of curiosity over immediate solutions. Jess shares techniques like pausing before responding and using self-reported data as a powerful indicator of change. Her insights on building trust with stakeholders and measuring impact are invaluable for anyone in the L&D space.
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Moment That Changed Her Approach
- Jess Almlie describes a turning point when a stakeholder said training wasn’t good enough because it didn’t solve the real problem.
- That critique led her to study other professions and shift L&D from product focus to problem-solving partnership.
Helpful Habits That Lock L&D In
- L&D habits meant to be helpful can signal order-taking and reinforce a transactional relationship.
- To become strategic, teams must change their own behaviors rather than blame the business.
Break The 'Yes' Reflex
- Increase awareness and break habits with a simple plan, e.g., wait 24 hours before responding to requests.
- Use after-action reviews and course-correct in the moment to change behavior gradually.