The Learning Geeks Podcast S8 E5: Why Building Tech Skills Unlock Human Potential (with Brooke Weddle and Heather Stefanski)
In this episode, we’re joined by Brooke Weddle and Heather Stefanski from McKinsey to unpack why building tech skills is about unlocking human potential — not replacing it. We explore real client success stories and challenges with AI upskilling, the danger of ignoring human skills, why technology can’t fix broken work processes, and whether embedding AI into daily work actually improves apprenticeship and learning.
00:00 Cold open & banter
02:15 Introducing Brooke & Heather
04:26 What Tech Upskilling Really Means
07:13 Human Advantage vs. Machine Capability
14:52 Leadership, Storytelling & Positive Energy
17:29 Creating Space to Practice Tech Skills
18:26 Case Example: AI Transformation in Manufacturing
22:13 The Evolving Role of the CLO
26:09 Building a Developmental Ecosystem
31:27 AI as an Apprenticeship Engine
36:03 Final takeaways
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast
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READ MORE FROM BROOKE AND HEATHER
We’re all techies now: Digital skill building for the future: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/we-are-all-techies-now-digital-skill-building-for-the-future
The future of the CLO: Leading in a world of merged work and learning
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DISCLAIMER
All thoughts and views are of our own.