Overview: In this episode of the L&P podcast, I speak with Mark Sheppard, a learning architect, designer, and self-proclaimed L&D “geek" about ways that that L&D professionals and teams can innovate their products, processes, and practices. Mark is the owner and founder of 2Sphynx Innovations, an L&D consultancy serving the public and private sectors in Canada and the US. With an impressive academic background and 30 years+ in the L&D field, Mark and I discuss a wealth of principles and practices you can use to change the way you consult, design, create, and lead.

Key Topics: In the conversation, we hit on a number of interesting topics relevant to learning and performance, including:

Striking the right balance between efficiency and innovation in L&D performance
The yin-yang relationship between learning and performance
The role of emotions—both positive and negative—in impactful learning
Learning in the flow of work
Dos and don’ts of online instruction
The value of full-stack L&D consulting
Mark’s advice on being a freelancer/contractor
The value of open-ended questions and challenging assumptions when working with stakeholders
The many uses of LLMs for L&D
Why context often trumps content when it comes to learning
The crucial difference between gamification of learning and game-based learning
The shortcomings of traditional L&D frameworks and some better alternatives
Barriers to innovation in L&D and how to overcome them
And much more!

Connect with Mark:

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/marksheppard
Blue Sky: https://publictest.bsky.cz/profile/did:plc:jk4hydiju4stbfzvtamktpjq
2Sphynx: https://2sphynx.com/

Mentions and Resources:

Being a "full-stack" L&D professional
Tips on being a freelance L&Der- (1) Being a trusted advisor, (2) having empathy for SMEs and learners, (3) thinking like an entrepreneur/owner, (4) focusing on solving problems>providing training solutions, (5) watching out for bad contracts, (6) engaging in regular marketing and sales and articulating your value prop

The role of powerful questions (e.g., "how might we") in building trust, challenging assumptions, and creating better solutions
Importance of pre-boarding to successful onboarding
The value of LLMs for L&D - (1) knowledge management, (2) time saving, (3) content design and development, (4) sounding board, (5) thought partner, (6) devil's advocate, (7) needs analysis and evaluation, (8) data analysis and insights
LLM watch outs - too much focus on content production>process
The role of play and fun in learning
Performance analysis and improvement - Guy Wallace, Geary Rummler, Joe Harless, W. Edwards Deming

Microlearning
Performance support
Importance of context and activities>content and events
Iterative L&D - agile, rapid prototyping, SAM
The Kirkpatrick Framework and its shortcomings
The CIPP Evaluation Framework (Context-Input-Process-Problem)
Will Thalheimer's Learning Transfer Evaluation Model
The ADDIE Framework - a macro doctrine, NOT a process or project plan
3 targets of innovation for L&D - (1) Product, (2) Process, and (3) Practice
Barriers to innovation in L&D - (1) fear, (2) inertia
Game-based learning/design vs. gamifying learning
Promises and pitfalls of gamificiation
The psychology of game-based learning - social learning, novelty, choice, experimentation/safety
Conditions vs. constraints in design of games
Dunning-Kruger Effect - mismatch between competence and confidence
Yerkes Dodson Curve - Moderate anxiety as a beneficial for learning
Importance of breaks and working with your brain in mind

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