The Learning & Development Podcast

Avinash Chadarana, Global Learning & Development Director at MCI Group, brings over 25 years of experience in shaping workplace learning. He discusses how to continuously innovate L&D while managing remote teams and overcoming challenges, like budget cuts and the pandemic. Avinash emphasizes the importance of aligning training with business outcomes and encourages fostering an intrapreneurial culture. He also explores the transformative role of AI in modern learning, advocating for a focus on outcomes rather than hours logged.

Carl Binder, a leading expert in performance improvement and founder of The Performance Thinking Network, challenges the traditional focus of Learning & Development on behavior change. He advocates for prioritizing measurable accomplishments that directly impact business outcomes. Binder shares practical strategies for effective onboarding and emphasizes the importance of managerial alignment in achieving performance goals. By shifting the focus from competency models to real work outputs, L&D can become more impactful and measurable, transforming organizational effectiveness.

Traditional L&D strategies rely too much on hope. Hope that training will stick, hope that stakeholders will engage, and hope that impact will follow. But as Dani Johnson of RedThread Research explains in this episode, hope isn’t a plan. Drawing on insights from the latest report, Dani outlines why L&D’s influence in strategic business discussions is declining - and what leaders must do to reverse the trend. She breaks down the five essential elements of a progressive L&D strategy, from organisational alignment and stakeholder engagement to tech, data, and operational discipline. Dani also explores the tension between consistency and adaptability, how to move beyond training requests to real business conversations, and why outdated approaches to learning persist despite their lack of impact. For L&D professionals ready to move from reactive to strategic, this episode offers a clear, research-backed blueprint for building a modern, credible, and business-aligned L&D function. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Hope is not a strategy – intentionality is essential.  Don´t just drift, create a business need driven strategy, follow it and measure progress. Dani´s study shows that L&D is increasingly losing strategic influence. L&D needs to shift from being order-takers to being business partners. Get out from behind your desk. Use the same language as stakeholders.  L&D needs to provide stability but also be flexible enough to quickly meet emerging needs. Tech and data are strategic levers, not just tools. Buy the right tech. BEST MOMENTS "What has gotten us here is not going to get us into the future." "Be intentional about making that strategy and then delivering on that strategy." "It is time to quit looking at old models and traditional ways of doing things." "We are here for a planned, demonstrable impact." "Two big things are driving this integration of technology and data: the first is skills... the second is AI." Dani Johnson Bio Dani is Co-founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research, where she explores the intersection of people, practices, and technology.  Prior to RedThread, Dani led the Learning and Career research practice at Bersin, Deloitte. Her work has appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal, CLO Magazine, Employment Relations and HR Magazine.  Dani holds an MBA and dual degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University.  RedThread is known for its bold, unbiased research on topics like DEIB, learning, performance, and people analytics—helping leaders rethink how work gets done. You can follow or contact Dani at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-johnson/ Direct link to infographic: https://members.redthreadresearch.com/posts/infographic-the-building-blocks-of-a-future-ready-ld-strategy (free membership required) - Membership Link: https://redthreadresearch.com/pricing VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this engaging conversation, John Helmer, a writer and podcaster specialized in learning strategies, interviews David James about the innovative L&D Maturity Model. They tackle why the industry needs this new model and its unique collaborative development. John probes into how L&D should proactively align with business needs and the transformative potential of anticipating future demands. The duo also highlights the importance of shifting focus from mere learning delivery to actual performance enhancement and overcoming resistance from stakeholders.

In this engaging discussion, Julianne Gill, Director of Learning & Development at Smile Brands, shares her journey from clinical work to transforming L&D. She emphasizes the importance of aligning training with organizational goals and utilizing feedback to drive improvements. Collaborative learning is spotlighted, particularly the role of subject matter experts in developing impactful training. Julianne also advocates for a strategic approach to measuring L&D outcomes, shifting perceptions of the department from a cost center to a value driver.

Nigel Paine, a thought leader in L&D and author of 'The Great Reset', discusses revolutionary ideas for transforming organizational learning. He emphasizes shifting from individualistic to collective intelligence, creating cultures of trust, and aligning L&D with strategic goals. Nigel also dives into the impact of generative AI on learning processes, advocating for its role in enhancing engagement and productivity. He offers practical steps for organizations looking to reset their learning culture, maximizing impact while fostering collaboration and innovation.

Julie Dirksen, an expert in instructional design and learning science, sheds light on creating impactful learning experiences. She discusses why many training programs fail to drive behavior change and the importance of identifying the real issues at hand. Julie emphasizes the significance of context and immediate needs in motivating learners and critiques traditional methods. She also shares innovative strategies for effective learning design and explores the role of AI in enhancing employee engagement in hybrid work environments.

Molly Howes, Foundry and GenAI Capability Lead at Aviva, discusses the innovative Aviva Foundry initiative aimed at reskilling employees for digital roles. Joining her is Alex Price, a successful program participant. They share insights on the structured 14-week academies that have helped 200 employees transition to digital careers, with impressive success in role redeployment. The episode also addresses the challenges of expanding this initiative internationally and emphasizes the importance of mentorship and stakeholder engagement in making reskilling impactful.

Wayne Turmel, co-author of The Long-Distance Leader and co-founder of the Remote Leadership Institute, shares his expertise on leading in the evolving remote and hybrid workplace. He discusses the seismic shifts in leadership styles post-pandemic and the importance of focusing on outcomes rather than mere activity. Wayne emphasizes building a strong team culture through effective communication strategies and collaboration. He also highlights the necessity for remote workers to actively seek development opportunities, ensuring equitable treatment across the board.

Lisa Christensen, the leader of McKinsey's Learning Design Center, Christopher Lind, an AI ethicist and former CLO, and Hillary Miller, head of L&D at HCA Healthcare, share insights on structuring Learning & Development teams for success. They discuss the necessity of adaptable team frameworks that align with organizational goals. The conversation highlights the value of data-driven approaches, fostering relationships, and understanding key metrics. They also stress collaboration to navigate the complexities and evolving needs of the L&D landscape.