The Learning & Development Podcast

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between consistency and adaptability, how to move beyond training requests to real business conversations, and why outdated approaches to learning persist despite their lack of impact.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.

As generative AI continues to evolve from novelty to everyday adoption, its transformative potential for Learning & Development is becoming increasingly clear. In this episode, Sean Bengry, a senior L&D leader, shares his experiences and insights on harnessing AI to drive impact and innovation in our field. Sean discusses the pivotal moment that revealed the power of generative AI, offers jaw-dropping demonstrations of its current capabilities, and explores its applications in personalised learning and talent development. From enhancing human understanding  to redefining L&D’s core aims, this conversation is packed with practical examples and forward-thinking strategies. With actionable advice and a look at the industry’s leading AI adoption, Sean provides a roadmap for L&D professionals ready to embrace this game-changing technology and rethink what’s possible. See the full agenda for L&D Week March 3rd to 6th and register for free today at https://360learning.com/l-and-d-next/2025/ KEY TAKEAWAYS AI can create content that is designed to specifically appeal to and engage with each person. A lot of what we do is gathering data from one place, reworking it and sharing it for application. AI is very good at this e.g. Notebook LM podcast feature. Most people have still not explored how AI can help them to do their L&D job. You can use voice and your camera to interface with AI. Tell AI to take on personas to explore, test and get feedback for your ideas. There are ways around any issues related to putting your business data into AI. AI enables you to get down to the micro level and create content to close very specific skills gaps. Be curious and start small. BEST MOMENTS “AI provides real impact.” “It was a new mode of content synthesis that I had never seen before.” “The more data you can put in there around who a person is … the more AI can personalise that learning information.” 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 Sean Bengry Bio Sean Bengry is a senior Learning & Development leader with a passion for driving innovation and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to empower organisations and their people. Currently the Director of Learning Transformation & Technology at DaVita Kidney Care, Sean leads strategic initiatives to enhance talent development and organisational growth. At the forefront of L&D transformation, Sean is known for his forward-thinking insights and ability to inspire action, helping organisations navigate the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving learning landscape. Connect with Sean via: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbengry/ ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Maturity Model: https://360learning.com/maturity-model/ L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

In a world where skills gaps are widening and job demands are evolving at unprecedented rates, understanding how to gain a "skills advantage" is critical for organizations to stay competitive. In this episode, Anish Lalchandani, author of The Skills Advantage, delves into his insights on bridging skills gaps, building resilient teams, and preparing organizations for the future. Anish walks us through his approach, discussing how the right skills strategy can shift a team from good to exceptional and position L&D as a driver of business transformation. Whether you're a leader looking to upskill your team or an L&D professional aiming to create a sustainable skills strategy, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. KEY TAKEAWAYS The established approach to L&D is no longer enough. L&D needs to go beyond business alignment and take the lead in equipping our businesses to thrive in the future.  You don´t have the wrong people, they have the wrong skills. Employees need to be convinced that upskilling benefits them and the business.  A huge proportion of executive transitions fail, and we need to address this. What is going on in the market and industry helps you identify future skill needs. Use technology to help with your data analysis and become more agile. When you demonstrate impact, you get permission to do more. BEST MOMENTS “The established approach to L&D is no longer enough.” “Reskilling is a long-term game, start now.” “We need to hold ourselves accountable to actual upskilling and not just providing learning.” “You don´t have the wrong people, they have the wrong skills.” “The risk of relying on firing and hiring is extraordinary.” Anish Lalchandani Bio Anish Lalchandani is the author of the book ‘The Skills Advantage: A Human-Centered, Sustainable and Scalable Approach to Reskilling’. Having held leadership roles at leading firms like A.P. Moller Maersk (current), General Electric, Standard Chartered Bank and other organizations, he has developed extensive expertise in Talent, OD, Leadership and HR Strategy. In addition to being a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, he is also a certified professional coach and mentor to start-up founders. Several publications, including Economic Times, Thinkers360, LeadersHum and HRD, rate him as one of the top influencers in HR and the Future of Work. You can follow and connect with Anish via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anishlalchandanichro The Skills Advantage Quiz: https://form.jotform.com/240295107435453 The Skills Advantage Book: https://www.anishlalchandani.com/book 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 ABOUT THE HOST David James  David James is the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and a highly respected voice in the Learning & Development industry. With a focus on harnessing technology to drive impactful learning strategies, David is recognised as one of the top 10 global influencers in the L&D space. His expertise lies in helping organisations modernise their approach to workplace learning, ensuring measurable results and business alignment. David is the host of The Learning & Development Podcast, which has amassed over 500,000 downloads and ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally. With nearly 30,000 LinkedIn followers, he continues to shape the conversation around L&D innovation and best practices, drawing on his deep experience, including his time as Director of Learning, Talent & Organisational Development at The Walt Disney Company. CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin  L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home