
The Mindtools L&D Podcast
The Mindtools L&D Podcast is a must-listen for anyone involved in Learning and Development or Human Resources. The weekly show features regular appearances from the Mind Tools team plus special guests to get right to the heart of issues affecting the L&D and HR communities. From learning needs analysis and evidence-based practice through to the impact of technology on work and hot topics at industry conferences, you'll get critical insights into the world of work, performance and learning.
Latest episodes

Jul 30, 2019 • 39min
156 — What is the role of emotion at work?
The range of emotions we are allowed to show in the workplace is fairly limited. We can be happy, we can be passionate, we can be enthusiastic. But anything beyond that is often seen as unprofessional or inappropriate. Is it time we rethink the role of emotion at work? This week on the podcast, Ross D and Ross G are joined by Emotion at Work's Phil Willcox to discuss: how emotion manifests itself in the workplace the range of emotions that are acceptable at work the role HR/L&D can play in creating emotional 'safe spaces' If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @ross__dickie, @RossGarnerGP and @PhilWillcox. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. If you're interested in digging a little deeper into the topic of emotion at work, Phil's website is a good place to start: https://www.emotionatwork.co.uk/ Nick Shackleton-Jones appeared on episode 146 — How do people learn? (Not 149, as Ross G claimed). You can find download links here: https://www.goodpractice.com/blog/podcast-146-how-do-people-learn Ross G's holiday recommendations were: - The documentary film Apollo 11. Details online at: https://www.apollo11movie.co.uk/ - The podcast 13 Minutes to the Moon from the BBC World Service. All episodes online at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xttx2/episodes/downloads - The album of Tom Waits covers Anywhere I Lay My Head, by Scarlett Johansson, on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/album/2bBRv5VJOPSIHmSMhzfHXm - The book Wild Harbour by Ian MacPherson, on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Harbour-Ian-Macpherson/dp/086241234X

Jul 23, 2019 • 34min
155 — Is HR unethical?
As a function, HR has a role to play in developing talent and protecting employees. But it's also responsible for disciplining and dismissing staff, as well as implementing and enforcing top-down policies. Does this put it in an ethically precarious position? This week on the podcast, Ross D is joined by James and guest Gary Cookson of EPIC HR to discuss: what 'ethics' mean in the workplace the role of HR as the moral heart of organisations the ability of HR to foster ethical behaviour If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @ross__dickie, @JamesMcLuckie and @Gary_Cookson. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. You can find out more about EPIC HR at https://epichr.wordpress.com/ The podcast Ross mentioned is 'Without Fail': https://gimletmedia.com/shows/without-fail

Jul 16, 2019 • 39min
154 — How do you know your interventions are working?
Learning interventions are typically evaluated based on metrics like attendance and completion. But how much does this actually tell you? How do you know if your interventions are effective? This week on The GoodPractice Podcast, Dr Will Thalheimer joins Ross G and Owen to discuss: what 'evaluation' means why it matters common evaluation mistakes alternatives to 'happy sheets' If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @RossGarnerGP, @OwenFerguson and @WillWorkLearn. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. You can read Will's blog on common evaluation mistakes on his website: https://www.worklearning.com/2018/11/03/common-mistakes-in-workplace-learning-evaluation/ You can also find out more about Will at www.smilesheets.com More details on LTEM (Learning Transfer Evaluation Model) can be found at: https://www.worklearning.com/2018/02/14/the-learning-transfer-evaluation-model-ltem/ The BMC study Owen mentioned is available at https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-019-1324-7 The full Atlas Obscura article on Buckfast can be found at https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/buckfast-scotland

Jul 9, 2019 • 37min
153 — How can we embrace neurodiversity at work?
When we talk about diversity and inclusion, we often frame it in terms of gender, ethnicity, age or social class. But what about diverse ways of thinking? Where does neurodiversity fit into the equation? This week on The GoodPractice Podcast, Ross G is joined by Mike Shaw from Emerald Publishing and Jill Miller from the CIPD to discuss: what 'neurodiversity' and 'neurodivergent' mean the benefits of neurodiversity for organisations practical steps leaders can take to promote neurodiversity in the workplace If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @RossGarnerGP, @MikeShawLD and @MillerJillC. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. You can read the full report, Neurodiversity at Work, on the CIPD website: https://www.cipd.co.uk/Images/neurodiversity-at-work_2018_tcm18-37852.pdf 'No Such Thing As A Fish' is available wherever you get your podcasts. The book Ross G mentioned is Born A Crime by Trevor Noah: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Born-Crime-Stories-African-Childhood/dp/1473635306/ref=sr_1_1?crid=291644CVEZ1CO&keywords=born+a+crime&qid=1562606879&s=gateway&sprefix=born+a+cr%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1

Jul 2, 2019 • 32min
152 — How can we support remote workers?
Technology is making it easier and easier for people to work remotely. But what challenges does that pose for learning and development? This week on the podcast, Ross D is joined by Owen and Chris Coladonato from Farmer's Insurance to discuss: how remote workers access development opportunities the gap between the in-office and remote-worker experience whether remote workers need to take more responsibility for their development than office-based colleagues If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @ross__dickie, @owenferguson, and @chriscola. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. You can find out more about Owen's 'Scary and nasty beasts' on the British Psychological Society's website: https://digest.bps.org.uk/2019/06/25/psychologists-have-created-a-league-table-of-scary-and-revolting-creatures/ The book Chris mentions is Matthew Walker's Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams

Jun 25, 2019 • 41min
151 — Is 'lifelong learning' a myth?
For decades, 'lifelong learning' has been the clarion call of governments, employers and higher education institutions - but what has that achieved? And is it in tension with the push for greater performance at work? This week on The GoodPractice Podcast, Activate Learning's Helen Blunden joins Ross G and Owen to discuss: what 'lifelong learning' means how different organisations respond to the new for new skills how far individuals need to take ownership of their own learning. If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @RossGarnerGP, @OwenFerguson and @ActivateLearning. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. To find out more about Helen, see: activatelearning.com.au Mary Meeker's 2019 report is online at: bondcap.com/report/itr19/ See slide 260 for the section Owen discussed. Ross was pleased to recommend the Intex Explorer K2 Two-Person Kayak with Oars and Pump, on Amazon at: amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AIQ8LGG He received nothing in return for this recommendation, but will take your thanks as a given. Helen 'Booktubes' at: youtube.com/watch?v=sqnOk2GXJuI&list=PL0lQrWZ-C72FcEIBNk7SPAkPL32P5ziTj Editorial note: At the time of recording, Rory Stewart was still a Conservative Party leadership contender.

Jun 18, 2019 • 53min
150 — Live from London: The past, present and future of learning
For three years, we've had the ridiculous privilege of producing The GoodPractice Podcast. It's given us the opportunity to speak to some of the biggest names in Learning & Development, it's challenged our thinking, and - we hope - contributed in some small way to the conversations that are shaping our industry. In this, our 150th episode, we asked some of our favourite guests to join Ross G and Owen for our 3rd birthday party at The Hand & Flower pub in London. We were joined by Michelle Parry-Slater, founder of Kairos Modern Learning; by Gemma Critchley, Head of Technology & Innovation for Learning at Aviva; and by Andy Lancaster, Head of Learning & Development Content at the CIPD, who is writing a book. We discussed the past, present and future of learning, including: how traditional classroom education has shaped what we do today the tension between the need to learn from mistakes and organisations' tolerance for risk what the future of learning and development holds. A special shout-out this week to those faces behind-the-scenes who make this podcast possible, but are never mentioned: Jade Stewart, Nicola Boyle, Sai Cook, Yaz Serrano and Al Roy. Also to Ross Dickie, in absentia. If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @RossGarnerGP, @OwenFerguson, @MiPS1608, @GemStGem and @AndyLancasterUK. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. To find out more about Kairos, see: kairosml.co.uk Gemma's blog on learning innovation is a few years old but remains a must-read: linkedin.com/pulse/9-tips-help-learning-innovation-gemma-critchley And the CIPD are online at: cipd.co.uk

Jun 11, 2019 • 44min
149 — GoodPractice go to the movies
What can L&D professionals learn from the likes of Mary Poppins, Jaws and Inception? This week on the podcast, Ross D is taking Owen, Ross G, Gemma and Stewart on a trip to the movies. If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @ross__dickie, @OwenFerguson, @RossGarnerGP, @gemmatowersey and @shardie15. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. The 'Superchickens' TED Talk that Ross referenced was by Margaret Hefferman. The Forbes article Owen mentioned is 'Understanding Fake Agile'. The book Stewart referenced, 'How Many Socks Make a Pair?', is by Rob Eastaway. Robert Macfarlane's latest book is called 'Underland: A Deep Time Journey'. Last but by no means least, if you are a keen listener of the podcast, there may still be time to get hold of tickets to our live show on 12 June. You can reserve your place at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-goodpractice-podcast-live-tickets-61576647410

Jun 4, 2019 • 43min
148 — Can we get over 'shiny object syndrome'?
In Learning & Development, we love shiny objects: VR, AR, microlearning - surely one of these tools will turn out to be the key to unlocking higher performance? In this episode of The GoodPractice Podcast, Ross G and Owen are joined by Axonify's JD Dillon to discuss. We explore the attraction of the 'silver bullet', the conditions that have created this mindset, and vendors' responsibility to have more nuanced conversations with prospective clients. If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @RossGarnerGP, @OwenFerguson and @JD_Dillon. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. To find out more about JD, see learngeek.co. Axonify at are: axonify.com This episode was inspired by an article JD wrote for Learning Solutions at: https://learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/in-real-life-get-rid-of-the-boxes If you want to know more about ornamental hermits, see: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-history-of-hermits-in-gardens IMDb reviews for Game of Thrones last and lowest-rated episode can be read here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6027920/reviews?ref_=tt_urv As an editorial insert from Ross, those reviewers are totally wrong and in years to come the ending will be held up as a masterpiece that has been foreshadowed for eight seasons. And finally, the Axonify Phoomba can be seen in this tweet from @MelMilloway: https://twitter.com/MelMilloway/status/1130475243548680192?s=20

May 28, 2019 • 43min
147 — How can tech in L&D drive efficiencies at work?
Lean methodology has been widely applied in manufacturing, business and software development. But what role can it play in L&D? This week on the podcast, Ross D and Ross G are joined by return guest Ajay Pangarkar to discuss his work on 'Lean Learning', and what L&D can do to deliver business impact. If you'd like to share your thoughts on the show, you can find us on Twitter @ross__dickie, @RossGarnerGP and @bizlearningdude. To find out more about GoodPractice, visit goodpractice.com or tweet us @GoodPractice or @GoodPracticeAus. To learn more about the time Prince changed his name to a symbol, see: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/prince-dead-when-prince-changed-his-name-to-a-symbol-warner-bros-had-to-mass-mail-floppy-disks-with-a6995196.html Tickets for our live show at the Hand & Flower in London on June 12, following the first day of CIPD Festival of Work, are available now. You can reserve your place at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-goodpractice-podcast-live-tickets-61576647410
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