L&D Must Change

Let's be real. Most Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) don't actually improve performance. They're a legal termination plan in disguise. That doesn't make anyone feel good. But, they don't have to be this way! In this episode, Jess talks with coach and culture consultant Amy Kay Watson about rebooting accountability so performance improvement becomes a true development process instead of a disciplinary paper trail. Amy breaks down why most PIPs don't include learning or development and then shares a practical model built designed to restore psychological safety, clarify standards, and build early wins. You'll leave with concrete ways L&D can equip managers to partner in accountability conversations and diagnose root causes. PIPs can be positive turning points, but only with a different approach. Jess and Amy Discuss Why PIPs often function as compliance tools instead of learning frameworks, and the downstream damage to trust, morale, and capability The "reformer's trap": why managers default to policing behavior under pressure (and what to do instead) How cultures fall into the "nice trap," confusing kindness with lack of structure and boundaries A developmental PIP model built on three pillars: Justice, Goals, and Efficacy Justice in practice: using transparent performance data ("Do you see what I see?") to reduce threat response and enable learning Goals that build capacity: shifting from deficit lists to resourced targets using the Job Demands–Resources (JDR) lens Efficacy: restoring agency by designing early, achievable wins to rebuild confidence and momentum L&D's three big opportunities: train managers as diagnostic "regulators," claim PIPs as a learning tool, and align with HR/Legal to avoid mixed messages The smallest high-impact starting point: be clear about standards because clarity really is kindness How to handle the hard reality: what changes when someone won't engage, even with support and partnership About Amy Kay Watson Amy Kay Watson, M.Div., MCC, is a Master Certified Coach and a sought-after speaker in empathy-driven leadership and performance improvement. She helps purpose-driven professionals balance accountability with compassion, especially in high-pressure, high-stakes roles. With a background spanning chaplaincy, corporate management, over 200 culture-shaping retreats, and over 3,600 coaching hours, Amy brings rare insight and practical wisdom to every stage and conversation. Find and Connect with Amy Kay Watson LinkedIn Website: amykaywatson.com Article: It's Time to Reboot Accountability Special offer for listeners (quiz): rebootleader.com Find and Connect with Jess Almlie LinkedIn Website: www.jessalmlie.com Book: L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner Strategic Business Partner Team Assessment and Team Development Roadmap

Melanie Martinelli, a seasoned L&D practitioner and CEO of the Institute for Transfer Effectiveness, challenges common training metrics that prioritize satisfaction over real impact. She explains the concept of 'learning transfer' as the application of skills in the workplace. Listeners learn about her 12 levers of transfer and how to conduct a transfer audit to identify barriers. Melanie shares insights on prioritizing impactful changes, the importance of realistic practice, and a compelling case study showing that context often trumps fancy design.

Your learners don't need another "fun" workshop; they need results. In this episode, Jess and Brian Washburn unpack why engagement alone is a dangerous success metric and how to design for real performance change. Brian introduces his simple four-step facilitation model: Anchor, Content, Application, Future Use, which turns any session into a repeatable, effective learning experience. They explore how to equip SMEs to facilitate (without gimmicks), handle awkward moments like silence or "I don't know," and adapt these principles for virtual and global audiences. Why engagement alone doesn't equal effective training The four-step facilitation model and how to use it every time Moving SMEs from knowledge dumps to true facilitation Simple, non-gimmicky activities that prove people "get it" Handling silence, tough questions, and tech failures with confidence Adapting facilitation for virtual rooms and global cultures About Brian Washburn Brian Washburn is an author, a sought-after speaker, and an experienced instructional designer who has been working in the field of learning and development for more than two decades. Brian's work has been published in TD magazine, the monthly trade magazine for the Association of Talent Development (ATD), and he was named a Top Young Trainer by Training Magazine in 2011. Brian's first book, What's Your Formula? Combine Learning Elements for Impactful Training, was published by ATD Press in June 2021. Modeled on the original periodic table of elements, the book explores a wide range of approaches to organizational training needs and new ideas and ways to organize the design of learning programs. His second book, Instructional Design on a Shoestring, was released in January 2024, and will be provided to each participant in this train-the-trainer program. Brian holds an MA in Organizational Development from Antioch University. Find and Connect with Brian Washburn LinkedIn Website: Endurance Learning Book: What's Your Formula? Combine Learning Elements for Impactful Training Book: Instructional Design on a Shoestring Find and Connect with Jess Almlie LinkedIn Website: www.jessalmlie.com Book: L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner Additional Links from the Episode Gagne's 9 Events of Instruction The Bob Pike Group Malcolm Knowles Adult Learning Theory On Teaching and Learning: Putting the Principles and Practices of Dialogue Education into Action by Jane Vella Endurance Learning Training Activity Cookbook L&D Must Change Podcast Episode 08 with Kassy Laborie (Online Training That's Better Than In Person) Interact and Engage! 75+ Activities for Virtual Training, Meetings, and Webinars by Kassy Laborie and Thomas Stone L&D Must Change Podcast Episode 22 with Chris Taylor (Designing and Measuring On Purpose)

AI isn't coming for your L&D job... it's rewriting it. In this episode, Jess and AI-in-L&D veteran Josh Cavalier dig into his provocative "Human Machine Performance Analyst" L&D role, why content creation is still on the table, and how to build the business, data, and learning-science muscles you'll actually need. They unpack the real story behind AI layoffs, the emerging L&D tech ecosystem, and practical, low-risk ways to get your AI learning and practice reps in today. Jess and Josh Discuss Why Josh believes L&D must evolve into "Human Machine Performance Analysts." The shift from building courses to orchestrating human AI performance. Core skills for L&D to double down on: performance consulting, business acumen, data and analytics, and learning science. Which L&D tasks AI will automate. What AI-related layoffs are really funding. How the AI ecosystem flows from platforms like Microsoft, Google, and Workday down into L&D tools. The risks of shadow AI usage and protecting organizational IP. Cross-functional AI operations to enable responsible adoption Simple, safe ways to start with AI in content creation and get your "AI reps" in. Why strategic curiosity, not fear, is L&D's best response to AI. About Josh Cavalier Josh Cavalier is on a mission to bridge the gap between Learning & Development professionals and the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence. His own "aha!" moment arrived in late 2022 when an AI generated a remarkably effective educational video script on his prompt, instantly revealing its potential to revolutionize learning. Drawing on 30+ years of experience, including leading Lodestone Digital to radically improve clients' edtech implementations, Josh now guides organizations through the complexities of AI integration. Through JoshCavalier.ai, he directly addresses the concerns and opportunities facing L&D. Forget the fear of job loss – Josh argues AI necessitates a shift in roles, amplifying the need for human expertise and insight. He cuts through the myth of "automatic" AI, emphasizing that L&D professionals are crucial collaborators in the process. His focus? Pragmatic strategies and tools that help teams navigate the AI ecosystem, understand human-machine partnership, and significantly increase their AI skills. Josh makes complex AI accessible and actionable. His training, popular YouTube channel, and the fun, interactive live show "Brainpower" reach thousands, offering easy-to-use methods for working with AI. Committed to the L&D community, he consults, runs workshops, and shares his strategic insights at major industry events (DevLearn, Learning Solutions, ATD ICE), empowering professionals to leverage AI for hyper-personalized learning and greater organizational impact. Find and Connect with Josh Cavalier LinkedIn Website: JoshCavalier.ai YouTube Show: Brainpower: Your Weekly AI Training Show Book: Applying AI in Learning & Development: From Platforms to Performance Find and Connect with Jess Almlie LinkedIn Website: www.jessalmlie.com Book: L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner L&D Business Acumen Checklist

Tired of L&D busywork that doesn't move the needle? In this episode, Jess and Guus van Deelen dismantle "course factory" thinking and show how to organize L&D for results. They unpack the five L&D "chessboards," shift focus from learning to performance objectives, and set clear roles and decision rights to escape order-taking. You'll hear how to segment stakeholders with RIS (Risk, Importance, Size), apply Lean thinking to clean up operations, and run an annual L&D Cleanup Day (yes, on March 12) to kill zombie offerings and refocus on business value. Jess and Guus Discuss Why learning is a means—not the goal The five L&D "chessboards" and choosing must-win areas Escaping order-taking with clear roles and decision rights Training internal clients to work with L&D Replacing learning objectives with performance objectives (or adding both) RIS stakeholder segmentation: Risk, Importance, Size Lean habits to fix the back-office mess Service levels: economy to "royal class" support The annual L&D Cleanup Day (March 12): what to stop, start, or sustain Using LMS data to kill underused content Practical scripts and examples for setting expectations with the business About Guus van Deelen Guus van Deelen has held multiple roles in the L&D field, from L&D manager in global multinationals to strategic consultant helping organizations reposition and optimize their L&D departments. He is on a mission to make L&D more "streetwise." designing L&D that truly drives results. Not just delivering more training, but measurable impact on people, performance, and business outcomes. Guus helps L&D teams to create learning strategies, governance models, and talent development frameworks. He is also the author of the book, Organizing L&D for Results. Find and Connect with Guus van Deelen LinkedIn Website: guusvandeelen.nl Free resources for L&D Pros as mentioned in the episode Book: Organizing L&D for Results Find and Connect with Jess Almlie LinkedIn Website: www.jessalmlie.com Book: L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner

What if the key to better learning isn't more content, but less? In this episode, Jess Almlie sits down with L&D expert Katrina Kennedy to explore how simplifying learning experiences and building in moments of reflection can transform behavior and performance. They unpack practical ways to focus on what really matters: workplace impact, learner ownership, and giving people the time and space they need to make learning stick. Jess and Katrina Discuss Why simplicity beats sophistication in learning design How reflection boosts retention and real behavior change The myth that "more content equals more learning" Practical ways to add reflection(even in one-hour sessions) How to handle stakeholder pushback and focus on outcomes Why reflection isn't just looking back. It's preparing to move forward About Katrina Kennedy Katrina Kennedy, known as the "trainer's trainer," is a facilitator and speaker with 25+ years in learning and development. She has helped thousands of subject matter experts design and deliver engaging learning experiences in a variety of industries. Her forthcoming book, Learning That Lasts; Reflection Activities for Trainers and Designers released on October 21, 2025. Find and Connect with Katrina Kennedy LinkedIn Website: www.katrinakennedy.com Book: Learning That Lasts: Reflection Activities for Trainers and Designers Find and Connect with Jess Almlie LinkedIn Website: www.jessalmlie.com Book: L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner Additional Links Mentioned in the Episode Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory The History of Toothpaste (Wikipedia)

How do learning professionals earn a true voice in the boardroom? In this special episode, recorded live at the Learning Guild's Learning Leadership Conference 2025 in Orlando, Jess Almlie sits down with Dr. Alaina Szlachta and David "DJ3" Jackson to unpack what it really takes to secure influence and credibility in the C-suite. Together, they explore how aligning with organizational metrics, speaking the language of business, and leveraging data-driven storytelling can transform L&D from a service provider into a strategic powerhouse. Jess, DJ3, and Dr. Alaina discuss Why L&D often gets overlooked by executives, and how to change that. How to "speak the language" of business leaders to gain trust and influence. The importance of identifying your organization's core metric and aligning initiatives around it. Using listening tours to understand executive priorities and build credibility. The "big three" focus areas for small or solo L&D teams: strategy, governance, and infrastructure. How data storytelling can open doors and secure a real voice in the C-suite. Practical examples of turning small wins and pilot programs into strategic momentum. About David Jackson III (DJ3) David L. Jackson III (DJ3) is currently the Director of Talent Pathways and Learning for HealthPoint CHC. He is also a recognized thought leader in scaling impact for solo and small L&D teams. Some of his areas of specialty include aligning learning with business strategy, optimizing corporate learning ecosystems, and developing strategic learning frameworks. He's is a frequent speaker at industry-leading conferences, where he shares practical, action-oriented strategies to help L&D professionals move from survival to strategic impact. DJ3 is passionate about empowering learning leaders with actionable insights, focusing on helping organizations maximize resources, enhance learning maturity, and drive measurable business outcomes. About Dr. Alaina Szlachta Dr. Alaina Szlachta is the founder of By Design Development Solutions, an expert consulting firm specializing in assessment development and data strategy for learning leaders. Drawing on her background as a researcher and public health educator, she partners with learning business owners to integrate data and measurement systems into their daily operations. She is also the author of the ATD Press book, "Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring," a resource written to make M&E easier and more accessible for anyone - regardless of their expertise. Find and Connect with David Jackson III (DJ3) LinkedIn Website: dj3books.com Find and Connect with Dr. Alaina Szlachta LinkedIn Website: dralainaszlachta.com Book: Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring Find and Connect with Jess Almlie LinkedIn Website: www.jessalmlie.com Book: Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner Subscribe to Jess's Weekly Newsletter: L&D Must Change Additional Links Related to This Episode The Learning Guild The Learning Leadership Conference 2026 Book: Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact by Liz Wiseman

Change isn't an event, it's the air we breathe. In this episode, Jess talks with Holly Burkett about reframing change management as energy management, tackling stacked changes that drain capacity, and recognizing burnout as a workplace issue and not a personal failing. They explore how L&D can read the room on organizational readiness, coach managers to have safe workload conversations, and push for small pilots over all-or-nothing launches. L&D pros have the potential to be powerful change agents. Jess and Holly Discuss Why change/disruption is the context for learning and performance Stacked changes," fatigue, and how burnout shows up at work Capacity vs. capability: measuring energy to absorb new demands Reframing resistance as a signal of limited capacity Practical levers for L&D: business cadence, pilots, after-action reviews Equipping managers for safe, honest workload conversations Framing tradeoffs in business terms: "Are we willing to risk it?" Self-care, recovery rituals, and modeling boundaries for teams About Holly Burkett Holly Burkett is an accomplished talent builder, change leader, evaluator, and workplace learning professional with over 20 years experience as a trusted consultant and business advisor. She is passionate about helping leaders and teams build change-ready learning and performance capabilities that foster high engagement, employee wellbeing, and operational excellence. As a Prosci® certified change practitioner, a Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coach®, Associate of The ROI Institute, and select member of The Conference Board, she is a sought-after speaker, coach, and facilitator who is invited to speak regularly at international conferences held by ATD, ACMP, ISPI, and the OD Network. Holly is a frequent contributor to many industry resources including ATDs "Handbook for Measuring and Evaluating Training" (2025), ATDs "Organizational Development Handbook "(2023) – where she wrote the Change Management chapter -- and ATDs Handbook of Training and Talent Development (3rd ed, 2022). An enthusiastic life-long learner, foodie, and travel junkie, she also wrote the award-winning book "Learning for the Long Run". She earned a doctorate in Human Capital Development and a Masters in Human Resources and Organization Development. Find and Connect with Holly Burkett LinkedIn Website: www.hollyburkett.com Article: Become a Change Agent (TD, August 2025) Article: Combatting Change Fatigue (TD, Jan 2024) Article: 5 Essentials for Better Change Management (ATD Blog, April 2024) Article: Building Change Management from the Ground Up (Chief Talent Officer) Book: Learning for the Long Run Find and Connect with Jess Almlie LinkedIn Website: www.jessalmlie.com Book: Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner Subscribe to Jess's Weekly Newsletter: L&D Must Change Additional Links from this Episode L&D Must Change Episode 35: Conducting Tiny Experiments in L&D with Anne-Laure LeCnuff

What if the real power of L&D isn't in the content we deliver, but in teaching people how to direct their own growth? In this episode, Jess is joined by Irma Horvath who leads learning at Kahoot! They explore how shifting from "training delivery" to "learning ownership" creates lasting impact. You'll hear how to spark curiosity, set goals that guide attention, and make reflection the secret sauce of retention. From small experiments to culture-wide shifts, discover how to help people learn how to learn and why that's more valuable than any course catalog. Jess and Irma Discuss Why "learning how to learn" beats endless training The secret sauce: goals + reflection A simple "test–teach–test" formula that works How to make learning feel safe (and stick) Small experiments that spark big culture change Finding champions to spread new ways of learning Turning boring compliance into curiosity-driven growth About Irma Horvath Irma Horvath is a teacher by heart, a coach by craft, and an L&D leader by choice. She began her career as a teacher and teacher trainer, a path that took her across the world from Spain and the UK to Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Dubai, and Denmark. Along the way, she founded Morea Training, helping organizations design meaningful learning experiences, and later joined the leadership team at Drops, where she helped pioneer ways to make a fully remote team high-performing. Today, Irma leads Learning & Development at Kahoot!, driving global capability-building initiatives with a strong focus on making learning relevant, applicable, and part of everyday work. She's a PCC-certified solution-focused brief coach and a passionate advocate for empowering people to take ownership of their development. Her mission is simple: create learning that sticks, drives change, and builds cultures where growth is part of how people work - not a box to tick. Find and Connect with Irma Horvath LinkedIn Find and Connect with Jess Almlie LinkedIn Newsletter: L&D Must Change Website: jessalmlie.com Book: L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner Additional Links as Mentioned in This Episode Article featuring Irma: Don't Just Upskill Your Employees, Create Lifelong Learners, Strategic CHRO360 David A. Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle The Learning Space by Dr. Becky Zone of Proximal Development Get your copy of Jess's new book now! Jess's book, L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner is now available wherever books are sold. It's your handbook for creating the change needed to work more strategically and intentionally, in lockstep with the business. Order your copy today!

The tables have turned! In this episode, Jess Almlie steps into the guest chair as Sarah Cannistra interviews her about her brand-new book, L&D Order Taker No More. Together, they explore why the learning and development profession must shift from being transactional "order takers" to strategic business partners, and how small, intentional steps can create massive impact. Sarah and Jess discuss Why L&D must urgently move from transactional order-taking to strategic partnership, especially in the age of AI The critical mindset shift from "helper" to "partner" and how it changes every conversation Barriers that keep L&D stuck in order-taking mode, and how we unintentionally reinforce them Practical strategies for transformation, including internal and external playbooks The art of the strategic "yes" and "no" to stay focused on high-impact work How reflective questioning can shift stakeholder expectations and outcomes The continuum between order taker and business partner, and why progress comes in increments, not overnight leaps Insights from Jess's research with dozens of L&D leaders across the field About Jess Almlie Not only is she the host of the L&D Must Change Podcast and author of the book, L&D Order Taker No More!, but Jess Almlie is also a former Vice President of Learning and a dynamic leader in the learning and development field. She is passionate about empowering L&D professionals to increase our impact by evolving from order takers to strategic business partners. With three decades of experience and a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, Jess helps organizations solve talent challenges and improve performance through consulting, coaching, and workshops. Find and Connect with Jess Almlie LinkedIn Newsletter: L&D Must Change Website: jessalmlie.com Book: L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner About Sarah Cannistra Sarah Cannistra is a passionate Learning and Development (L&D) leader and career coach dedicated to helping others grow. She also leads Learning and Development at Rippling. In addition, Sarah is the host of The L&D Career Club Podcast, a top 200 career podcast dedicated to helping professionals break into and thrive in the L&D field. Find and Connect with Sarah Cannistra LinkedIn Website: https://www.theovernighttrainer.com/ Book: Land Your Next L&D Role: Creating a Career that Works for You Podcast: The L&D Career Club Special Book Offer from Jess As mentioned in the show, if you read Jess's book, L&D Order Taker No More! as a group, Jess will come to a one hour virtual Q&A so your group can dive deeper together. All you need to do is reach out to Jess when you're ready. Get your copy of L&D Order Taker No More! today!