L&D has long been focused on behaviour change—but what if that’s the wrong goal? In this episode, Carl Binder challenges conventional wisdom and makes the case for shifting our focus from behaviours to work outputs—the measurable accomplishments that drive business results.
Carl explains why this approach is more effective, how L&D teams can correctly identify and measure accomplishments, and what it takes to implement this thinking at scale. He also shares practical strategies for redesigning onboarding, leveraging non-training interventions, and aligning managers to focus on performance outcomes rather than just competency models.
For L&D professionals looking to elevate their impact, this conversation offers a roadmap to making learning more business-critical, measurable, and effective.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- When you focus on results, L&D delivers.
- There is no incompatibility with focusing on work outputs and changing behaviours, one leads to the other.
- Competency models are too subjective.
- The relationship between organizational results, outputs and behaviour is dynamic.
- When managers focus on what needs to be produced, providing feedback to change behaviours is easier.
- Each individual should have a performance map.
- Ask yourself if this training were successful what is it that I expect the participants to be able to produce? Stop asking what skills they will learn. This simple change in language is powerful.
- Fully map your processes.
- Use the Six Boxes® model.
BEST MOMENTS
“Figure out the purpose before you define the behaviour.”
“Don´t just spray and pray.”
“Behaviour might change but accomplishments are typically more stable.”
“There is a “the emperor has no clothes” problem here.”
Carl Binder Bio
Carl Binder is a leading expert in performance improvement and the founder of The Performance Thinking Network. With a background in behavioural psychology and decades of experience in organisational learning, he has helped businesses worldwide shift their focus from behaviour change to measurable work accomplishments. Originally a student of B.F. Skinner, Carl has applied behavioural science to real-world business challenges, developing practical frameworks for performance mapping, onboarding, and enterprise-wide capability building. His work empowers L&D and business leaders to drive tangible results by focusing on what truly matters—performance outcomes.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarlbinder/
http://www.performancethinking.com/
YouTube Channel (“Performance Improvement Insights”): www.PerformanceThinking.tv
Study Guides for YouTube webinars: https://bit.ly/CarlStudyGuides
- Fluency Based instruction research and applications: www.Fluency.org
- Performance Consulting certification program (“Performance Thinking® Practitioner Program): https://www.sixboxes.com/Virtual-Practitioner-Program.html
CONTACT DAVID
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
The Learning & Development Podcast