The Mindtools L&D Podcast

In their new book, In Praise of the Office, Wharton professor Peter Cappelli and workplace strategist Ranya Nehmeh argue that 'the case for in-office work has never been stronger'. This week on The Mindtools L&D Podcast, Peter and Ranya join Ross D and Claire to explain why they believe this to be true. We discuss:  The benefits and downsides to in-office work, both from an employer and employee perspective The challenges of returning to office post-pandemic, and why mandates alone often don't work The role of managers in implementing remote, hybrid or in-office models The implications of different working models for learning and development. You can find out more about In Praise of the Office here. In 'What I Learned This Week', Claire mentioned Flow TV, which shows output of Veo 3, the latest version of Google's AI video generator. The paper Peter mentioned was 'Employee Innovation During Office Work, Work from Home and Hybrid Work' by Michael Gibbs et al. For more from us, visit mindtools.com. There, you'll also find details of our award-winning Content Hub, our Manager Skills Assessment, our Manager Skill Builder and our custom work.  Connect with our speakers If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with us on LinkedIn: Ross Dickie Claire Gibson Peter Cappelli Ranya Nehmeh

If we want to motivate learners to engage with an experience, it stands to reason that we need to present that experience in a way feels authentic and relatable to them. But what are the limits to authenticity in the workplace? And are some of the conventions of learning design at odds with authentic communication? This week on The Mindtools L&D Podcast, Kineo's Matt Mella joins Ross D and Claire to discuss: What 'authenticity' looks like in the context of learning design Why it's important, and how to design with authenticity in mind How Mindtools and Kineo have achieved this in practice. During the episode, Ross D referenced a LinkedIn post from Matt, exploring the growing association of the em dash with AI-generated content. In 'What I Learned This Week', Claire talked about her enlightening visit to the Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft. Matt explained the history of the telegraphic address. And Ross D recommended the 'Food Deserts' episode of 99% Invisible. For more from us, visit mindtools.com. There, you'll also find details of our award-winning Content Hub, our Manager Skills Assessment, our Manager Skill Builder and our custom work.  Connect with our speakers If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with us on LinkedIn: Ross Dickie Claire Gibson Matt Mella

If you spend any time scrolling LinkedIn, attending L&D conferences, or listening to industry podcasts, it might seem like AI is about to usher in the end of e-learning as we know it. But is e-learning really dying, or is it just evolving? This week on The Mindtools L&D Podcast, Kineo's Cammy Bean joins Ross D and Ross G to discuss: The probability that AI will bring about the e-learning-pocalypse How the work of learning designers might change over the coming years The risks L&D needs to consider as they incoporate AI tools into their practice. During the episode, Ross D mentioned a recent edition of The L&D Dispatch, 'The future is not now'. For more from us, visit mindtools.com. There, you'll also find details of our award-winning Content Hub, our Manager Skills Assessment, our Manager Skill Builder and our custom work.  Connect with our speakers If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with us on LinkedIn: Ross Dickie Ross Garner Cammy Bean

Frontline managers have to support decisions they didn’t make, translate organizational goals into actions, identify meaningful opportunities for people to develop, remember to acknowledge successes, regulate their emotions, and resolve team conflicts. And they're usually 19-years-old. This week on The Mindtools L&D Podcast, one of our favourite guests - JD Dillon - returns to the show to share insights from his upcoming book on the role of frontline managers. We discuss: The pressures faced by frontline managers How to help these managers feel confident in their roles How AI chat bots and digital communities can help managers respond to daily challenges. In ‘What I Learned This Week’, Anna discussed the impact of the climate crisis on education. JD discussed the banana pose. Ross shared how to spot a suspicious statistic, via More or Less. For more from JD, check out his website frontlineplaybook.com, jdwroteabook.com, and axonify.com. For more from us, including details of our upcoming app (soon!) visit mindtools.com. There, you'll also find details of our award-winning performance support toolkit, our off-the-shelf e-learning, and our custom work.   Connect with our speakers    If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with us on LinkedIn: Ross Garner Dr Anna Barnett JD Dillon

Markus Bernhardt, an AI strategist and founder of Endeavour Intelligence, shares key insights on upskilling managers in AI tools. He emphasizes the importance of bottom-up strategies for AI adoption rather than relying on top-down mandates. The discussion highlights the critical need for AI literacy and awareness of the limitations of AI models. Engaging employees in hands-on activities is essential to foster confidence and creativity. They also unveil a new course designed for managers, focusing on practical AI skills, spaced learning, and team engagement.

In this insightful discussion, Adam Lacey hosts Paul Buller, Head of Content at Mindtools and an executive coach with expertise in leadership psychology. They dive deep into the impact of AI on content creation in learning and development. The duo explores how AI can enhance productivity while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human connections. They discuss the evolving skill sets needed for content creators and share practical strategies for integrating AI into workflows. The conversation encourages embracing AI with optimism to optimize learning experiences.

In this enlightening discussion, Adam Lacey, co-founder of AssembleYou and innovator of engaging training solutions, joins Paul Buller, an organizational psychologist and executive coach. They dive into the resurgence of performance support, emphasizing its importance in enhancing job efficiency over traditional training methods. The duo explores the integration of AI in workplace learning, the productivity paradox, and even touches on how taking breaks can rejuvenate personal and professional motivation. Plus, they share insights on the mental health impact of social media on Gen Z.

Mel Cooley, Head of L&D at Newsquest Media Group, discusses the evolving role of AI in learning and development. She emphasizes the need for a continuous learning mindset to support AI integration within teams. Key topics include overcoming behavioral challenges in AI adoption, the importance of ongoing support, and using innovative tools like Copilot to enhance productivity. Additionally, the conversation humorously touches on the curious partnership between figs and wasps, showcasing the value of experimentation and collaboration in work culture.

Victoria Craig, Global Head of People Development at Spire, discusses the critical intersection of hard science and soft skills in the space sector. She explores the importance of leadership and communication skills, highlighting how they bridge existing workforce gaps. Victoria emphasizes the need for diverse talent and how emotional intelligence enhances collaboration. She also offers insights into supporting mental health in the workplace and shares personal stories about the transitions into management and nostalgic video game experiences.

In this engaging discussion, Mike Taylor and Bianca Baumann, co-authors with a flair for merging marketing and learning, delve into how L&D can borrow from marketing techniques. They explore the creation of learner personas to tailor training and emphasize understanding employee needs. The duo also shares insights on leveraging data for training enhancement and evolving perceptions of learning within organizations. Excitingly, they touch on integrating AI in L&D, showcasing its potential to transform approaches to leadership training.