
L&D Disrupt
The world and the L&D space are changing faster than ever, but are you evolving with it?
L&D Disrupt brings you tactical advice, proven tactics and honest experiences from people in the industry, helping you drive more impact every day.
Every Monday join Nelson Sivalingam for the podcast that's powered by HowNow, to empower every L&D professional.
Latest episodes

Apr 19, 2022 • 57min
LIVE: Mastering the unsung superpower: Facilitation w/ Kenny Temowo | Episode 19
In this L&D Disrupt Live episode we’re joined by Kenny Temowo for a masterclass on the much overlooked and undervalued super skill: facilitation.
Expect actionable insights and brilliant Q&A moments in this memorable session.
00:00 Intro
06:19 What do we mean by facilitation?
11:59 Laying down clear expectations
17:09 Practising your skills in every day moments
20:22 The core traits that make a great facilitator
30:36 Navigating respectful silences
32:30 How do you know if you’re doing a good job?
43:22 Avoiding death by powerpoint
54:17 If you do one thing - do this!
How to connect
Find Kenny on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennytemowo/
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/

Apr 5, 2022 • 30min
The Intersection Between Tech And Performance With Filip Lam | Episode 18
In a demanding environment where you’re scaling quickly and hiring fast, it can sometimes feel like everything needed to happen yesterday!
Where you originally needed to onboard 10 employees, you now need a programme that you can roll out for 100 or even 1000 people to support your growth.
This is where you need to figure out how to work smarter, not harder.
In this episode of L&D Disrupt, we’re joined by Filip Lam, People Growth at Alan, to really unpick how we can leverage technology to save us time and drive performance.
Running order:
00:00 Intro
01:22 Biggest challenges faced by high growth companies
03:14 Working out where L&D has the biggest impact
11:00 What modern L&D looks like
15:53 The role of tech in building new learning experiences
19:19 How far should you plan ahead?
21:00 Exciting new trends in the space!
23:43 Quickfire round
How to connect:
Find Filip on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/filiplam/
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/

Mar 22, 2022 • 39min
The Essential Components of Impactful Learning with Emma Lloyd | Episode 17
Would you bother delivering a learning experience to employees if you knew it would have absolutely no impact? I can bet your answer to that question is no!
But how many of us in L&D are actually taking the time to ensure our initiatives will deliver impact before rolling them out?
In this episode we’re joined by Emma Lloyd, Experience Director @ Create the Ripple, to cover the essential components you need to create impactful learning experiences that truly make a difference.
Running order:
01:29 Why you should care about impactful learning!
06:58 Effectively understanding learning needs
10:14 Getting learners to ‘lean in’
12:27 How you can create memorable experiences
17:01 How much time does it take to get it right?
19:27 Following up to drive more impact
22:56 Taking an iterative approach to get it right
25:20 Measuring the ROI of ‘human’ skills
28:48 What can you do to support the before and after of learning experiences?
33:19 Quickfire Round
How to connect
Find Emma on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaclloyd/
Create The Ripple: https://www.linkedin.com/company/createtheripple/
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/

Mar 15, 2022 • 34min
Design Thinking in L&D with Sarah Stevenson | Episode 16
A phrase you will often hear getting thrown around in the L&D space is ‘putting the learner first’, but you might wonder how many people proactively design a strategy to meet employees’ needs, rather than just the needs of the business…
In this episode we’re joined by someone who is super passionate about designing experiences that are intentionally built with the learner in mind.
Sarah Stevenson, Vice President, Learning and Employee Experience at Schlesinger Group, is on the show to chat about how Design Thinking has impacted her work for the better, and how you can use the principles to create some real change!
Running order:
04:11 ADDIE vs. SAM
07:10 Applying Design Thinking to L&D
15:54 Getting to the MVP
20:26 Using feedback to improve your offering
24:05 Does L&D have a ‘data problem’?
26:43 You get what you measure!
27:50 Design Thinking - where do I start?
29:58 Quickfire round
How to connect
Find Sarah on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkstevenson/
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/

Mar 8, 2022 • 26min
Navigating the Relationship Between L&D and HR with Lauren Cunningham | Episode 15
L&D and HR - a match made in heaven, or a marriage of inconvenience? Whatever opinion you hold, there’s no escaping the fact that at some point in your L&D journey you will most likely work with, or sit within, a HR function. In this episode we’re joined by Lauren Cunningham - L&D Manager at Bumble - to help us navigate this partnership and work through the hurdles that can hinder your harmonious efforts!
Running Order:
00:00 Intro
05:19 Building relationships to avoid silos
08:34 Changing your approach once you move into a function
11:07 Testing and iterating to achieve results
14:02 Budget implications of moving into a function
16:06 Myth-busting perceptions around L&D!
18:20 Figuring out where to start as the first L&D hire
20:08 Where you should position L&D in your organisation
20:55 Quickfire round
How to connect
Find Lauren on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenleacunningham/
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/

Mar 4, 2022 • 58min
LIVE: The State Of L&D 2022 | Episode 14
There’s no doubt about it - 2022 is already shaping up to be a huge year for L&D. While the pandemic kickstarted widespread WFH back in 2020, most organisations have now adopted this hybrid set up for the long-term. And what does this mean for learning and development?
Our expert panel will help you ride the waves of L&D challenges, so you'll sail smoothly and confidently through 2022 and make it your best year yet.
Running order:
00:00 Intro
06:30 Pull learning isn’t the death of push learning!
11:02 Is it time to add TikTok to your tech stack? Building a ‘best of breed’ learning ecosystem
15:21 Social learning has been around forever - but we need to spot and nurture those interactions
18:59 Leveraging storytelling in a digital world to create engaging learning experiences
24:00 If you have the will, you’ll find the skill!
27:13 Things to consider when reviewing your tech stack
35:13 How to approach resistance to change
38:52 Applying influencer marketing to your organisation
45:16 Focussing on the small actions and moments that make up a culture
49:02 The hats L&D need to start wearing
50:46 Adopting a start up mentality
56:34 One thing you can do THIS MONTH to make a difference
How to connect
Find Lavinia on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laviniamehedintu/
Offbeat: https://offbeat.works/
Find Ross on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rstevensonuk/
Steal These Thoughts: https://stealthesethoughts.com/
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/

Feb 22, 2022 • 35min
Applying Marketing to L&D with Hannah Waddams | Episode 13
Picture this - you’ve spent weeks crafting an unforgettable learning experience, finally engaging employees in an exciting way and making a real difference to the L&D strategy within your company. The day arrives. You launch it, you wait, you wait some more… and nothing happens. You were sure this would be a massive success - and maybe it WOULD be - if anyone actually knew about it! In this episode we’re joined by Hannah Waddams, Marketing Director at MAAS Marketing, to learn how and why L&D should use marketing to create that necessary awareness.
Running order:
01:37 Have you got a marketing problem?
03:48 How you can start flexing your marketing muscle
05:44 Uncovering the identities of your ‘learners’
07:17 Defining your learning brand
10:20 Personalising your comms with learning personas
13:11 Channels you can leverage to reach employees
18:10 Influencer marketing for L&D
22:15 Successful tactics you can try
24:52 How you should measure impact
27:47 The Marketing for Learning podcast
28:31 Quickfire Round
How to connect
Find Hannah on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahwaddams/
Marketing For Learning: https://open.spotify.com/show/6WuDqzOExdEP7ugRgMCsJ7?si=089480ede6d44d24
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/

Feb 18, 2022 • 50min
LIVE: Leading With Impact | Episode 12
A whopping 75% of people quit their jobs to get away from their manager! So while we might have the best intentions, your management style could be driving people to pastures green.
Surely not, you gasp! Well, here's the thing, most people just aren't aware that their actions are negatively affecting their colleagues.
There’s a gap between someone's intentions vs. the impact they’re having, and the only way to bridge it is by actively working on your self-awareness in the workplace. So, are you ready to join Ally Jones for a good old session of introspection?
Running order:
03:35 What is the ‘awareness-gap’?
08:17 How to create an environment where people can share feedback
13:31 Tools to work on your own self-awareness
17:21 Helping first time managers to develop leadership skills
21:22 Defining the levels of listening
23:51 What can L&D do to close the gap?
32:44 Focussing on what you can impact
35:07 Advice for newly promoted leaders
45:18 Working on developing ‘soft’ skills
How to connect:
Find Ally on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonjonescoach/
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/

Feb 8, 2022 • 30min
Leveraging Technology to Enrich Learning | Episode 11
L&D in the hybrid world of work has its challenges, but also lots of opportunities. In this episode we’re joined by Jeni Brown, Chief People Officer at Teamwork, the team collaboration software used by over 350,000 organisations. Listen in as we discuss how L&D can create a digital-first learning culture that really helps people to grow in this new world of work.
Running order:
0:00 Intro
01:19 Pivoting to hybrid working
03:20 Digital first onboarding
05:53 Communicating culture remotely
07:49 The need for content creation
12:14 Measuring performance
14:55 Outcomes over output
16:55 The evolution of collaborative learning
19:31 Ensuring successful buy-in
24:07 Quickfire round
How to connect
Find Jeni on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeni-brown-6953037/
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/

Feb 4, 2022 • 52min
LIVE: How to Make an Impact in Your First 90 Days | Episode 10
Congratulations, you've just bagged your new exciting job in L&D! Like every role, you want to hit the ground running, to make things happen as fast as possible and prove your worth.But is sprinting off from the L&D starting line the right approach? Or should you be more measured and thoughtful in your first 90 days?
Join Alex Anderson and Artheka Sivaharan in this live episode as they answer things like:
How long should you spend ‘figuring things out’ before you start developing solutions?
What’s the best way to facilitate meaningful conversations with your colleagues to get as much insight as possible?
How you can challenge the stakeholder misconception and common narrative that you're there to provide exactly what they ask for?
Running Order
00:33 Intro
05:10 Overcoming the challenges of joining a company remotely
06:56 Getting the most out of initial conversations
07:56 Figuring out where to focus your time and energy
11:12 Communicating the position of L&D to the rest of the business
13:58 Managing stakeholder relationships
16:51 Agreeing on realistic expectations
19:04 When should you start implementing strategies?
22:18 Transitioning into a startup
23:29 Keeping employees at heart of L&D
26:40 How do you define success?
30:16 Deciding which data to collect
33:00 Structured vs. open learning pathways
38:38 Getting stakeholders to create content
43:23 Enhancing the DEI culture
48:50 Would you do anything differently?
How to connect
Find Artheka on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artheka-sivaharan-assoc-cipd-38852714b/
Find Alex on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandersonuj/
Find Nelson on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatNelsonDude
Find HowNow on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hownowhq/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hownowteam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownowhq/
Our Website: https://gethownow.com/