The Accidental Trainer

Siri Chilazi, senior researcher at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School and co-author of Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results, joins the podcast to explore how organizations can meaningfully advance fairness at work.  Drawing on insights from her research and the book, Siri discusses how to drive change even in risk-averse or hesitant environments. She unpacks the difference between fairness and sameness, how to bias-proof training, and what it really takes to embed behavior change into day-to-day decision-making.  From debunking persistent workplace myths to practicing “norm entrepreneurship,” Siri offers practical strategies—grounded in data—that leaders and teams can apply right away.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirichilazi/  Website: https://sirichilazi.com/  Book: https://sirichilazi.com/books/make-work-fair/ 

Neil Thompson is the founder of Teach the Geek, a company dedicated to helping technical professionals effectively communicate the value of their work to non-technical stakeholders. He joins the podcast to share how anyone with a specialization can sharpen their presentation skills—moving beyond acronyms and jargon that only experts understand.  This conversation also explores what L&D professionals can do when they're on the receiving end of technical lingo. How do you collaborate with a SME who seems to speak a different language? How can you encourage technical workers to embrace soft skill training? And where do we even start when it comes to AI?  Neil answers all of these questions and offers practical tips to solve a common workplace issue: getting too technical.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilithompson/   Website: https://teachthegeek.com/   TD Magazine article (Member-only):  https://www.td.org/content/td-magazine/public-speaking-struggles-for-technical-professionals   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/teachthegeek 

Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It, challenges the idea that success means playing it safe. In this episode, she reveals how to reclaim nine so-called "negative" traits—like being selfish, nosy, or even manipulative—and use them to build confidence, influence without authority, and stand out in your career. We explore how these traits play out in risk-averse vs. risk-friendly workplaces, how to apply them in team settings (not just as individuals), and how to avoid Trait Traps that turn strengths into weaknesses. Plus, Jenny tackles skepticism around reframing words like "manipulative" and shares which trait challenged her the most. Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyilles/   Website: https://itsjennywood.com/ Book: https://itsjennywood.com/book Download Get Promoted Guide: https://itsjennywood.kit.com/7b1b560076   More Tools from Jenny: https://itsjennywood.com/resources  

Seth Godin – acclaimed entrepreneur, bestselling author of This is Strategy: Make Better Plans, and closing keynote speaker at ATD25 – joins the podcast to challenge the way we think about strategy.  What if strategy isn't about rigid plans but about systems, time, and the games we choose to play? What happens when we mistake false proxies for progress? And how can community action and empathy fit into the puzzle of creating change?  Seth shares his perspective on navigating ambiguity, designing upskilling and reskilling strategies for roles that don't yet exist, and building a future-ready workforce.  And for a sweet bonus? A little chocolate talk for dessert.

Sarah Mercier is the CEO of Build Capable and the editor of the newly released book, Design for All Learners: Create Accessible and Inclusive Learning Experiences. Sarah joins the podcast to share an inside look into Design for All Learners, revealing why everyone benefits from more inclusive design, and actionable steps you can take immediately to create more accessible content.    Sarah shares chapter sneak-peeks and explains how the story-driven format allows readers to understand accessibility in a new perspective. In addition, the conversation covers advocating for accessibility-focused roles and projects, how to make better design decisions, and going beyond a checklist mentality and basic standard compliance so that every learner can get the most out of your content.  Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcmercier   Book: https://www.designforallbook.com/ Build Capable: https://www.buildcapable.com/  

Erin Diehl is a podcast host, a bestselling author, and the CEO of improve it!. In this episode, she discusses how improv shows up in day-to-day life and simple ways to use improv techniques to find success in your work and relationships.  Improv as a strategic tool has a variety of uses, including building company culture, navigating workplace challenges, and reinforcing inclusivity. Try the “yes, and” theory to foster collaboration, the M.O.V.E. O.N. method to turn failure into a learning habit, and the Tomorrow Ready Checklist to set achievable goals.   Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/ Website: https://www.itserindiehl.com/ Podcast: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page  Book: https://www.itserindiehl.com/i-see-you Tomorrow Ready Checklist: https://mailchi.mp/learntoimproveit/the-tomorrow-ready-checklist Other Free Resources: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/free-tools-resources  

Juliana Sawaia is a happiness-at-work scientist, business consultant, and researcher with over 20 years of experience specializing in corporate happiness. On this episode, Julianna explains “why” fostering happiness is imperative not just for individuals, but as a business strategy. Tune in for actionable steps on “how” to cultivate happiness at work, as the conversation explores what the research says about happiness, why psychological safety matters, and practical strategies for getting stakeholder buy-in.  Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianasawaia   Website: https://julianasawaia.com.br/en/  Send a Letter to Future You: https://futureme.com/  The PERMA Model: https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/  

Jessica Kriegel, Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners, is an author, podcast host, and culture expert. She joins the podcast to explore the many trend predictions for 2025, forecast which ones are likely to stick, and discuss how L&D professionals can anticipate changes to their roles.  The conversation delves into the evolving use of AI tools, the future of middle managers, and why the five-day return-to-office (RTO) trend isn't as daunting as it seems. Jessica's insights provide a roadmap of trends that deserve your attention, and practical recommendations to navigate both the expected and unexpected in the year ahead. Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel/   Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/   Podcast: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/podcast-3/   Jessica's 2025 Predictions article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-predictions-2025-workplace-trends-jessica-kriegel-w7mke/ Jessica's Book Recommendation: https://gregsatell.com/cascades/   RTO Article: https://www.smartbrief.com/original/what-the-data-shows-about-return-to-office-mandates    

Executive presence goes beyond confidence and charisma—it's a vital skill for every professional, not just those in the C-Suite. Hilary Blair, cofounder and CEO of ARTiculate Real&Clear, explores the evolving role of executive presence and its particular importance for trainers and instructional designers in the L&D field.  Hilary delves into how executive presence shapes perceptions and challenges stereotypes tied to our “packaging.” She also shares strategies for developing an authentic executive presence that aligns with your personality, whether introverted or extroverted, and maintains your individuality. Leverage executive presence to foster stronger relationships, effectively communicate the value of your work, and deliver impactful training presentations.   Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hbarticulate   Website: https://articulaterc.com 

Alaina Szlachta, PhD, is the founder of By Design Development Solutions and author of the recently published Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring. Alaina's book provides advice for L&D professionals navigating tight budgets, limited resources, and demanding expectations.  In this episode, Alaina unveils her practical framework for measurement and evaluation, organized into three actionable strategies: Build, Borrow, or Buy. Build: Tailor strategies to your organization by forming hypotheses for desired outcomes and enhancing data literacy. Borrow: Maximize efficiency by leveraging existing data and systems. Buy: Invest wisely in external solutions when stakeholder buy-in, ROI, and expertise align.  Tune in for more advice on using artificial intelligence, available tools and templates, and other insights from Alaina.   Resources:   Website: https://dralainaszlachta.com/  The Weekly Measure newsletter: https://dralainaszlachta.substack.com/ Book: https://www.td.org/product/book--measurement-and-evaluation-on-a-shoestring/112406   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drszlachta/ 

As coaching grows in popularity, so does the misconception that all coaching methods deliver the same results. In this episode, Jackie Sahm, Vice President of Integrative Solutions at Hogan Assessments, joins us to explore why assessment-based coaching stands out as a transformative approach for L&D professionals.    Jackie breaks down what makes assessment-based coaching unique, who benefits most from it, and how data-driven insights can act as a catalyst for meaningful progress. We'll also dive into how team-based assessments can amplify collaboration and performance, what to look for in a high-quality assessment, and share real-world success stories that can help you make a compelling business case for coaching.     Whether you're a coach, L&D professional, or leader looking to maximize impact, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your coaching strategy.    Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-vanbroekhoven-sahm-8263686/  Coaching the Hogan Way: https://www.hoganassessments.com/blog/coaching-the-hogan-way-leadership-development-solutions/  How to Select an Assessment Provider: https://www.hoganassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HowToSelectAssessment_20200921-3.pdf  Personality Change and Leadership Development Podcast Episode: https://www.thescienceofpersonality.com/personality-change/  Webinar: https://www.hoganassessments.com/webinar/how-to-fix-your-leadership-development-program/ Can People Really Change? Practical Advice for Leadership Development: https://www.hoganassessments.com/webinar/can-people-really-change-practical-advice-for-leadership-development/ 

Jessica Chen is the author of Smart Not Loud -How to Get Noticed at Work for all the Right Reasons. In this podcast episode, she explores effective communication strategies that elevate your professional presence. Jessica shares insight into understanding the common communication scale within organizations and how to assess your perceived position on that scale.   Throughout the conversation, Jessica provides a variety of frameworks for reframing your communication style to boost credibility and make your voice heard in a “loud culture.” These frameworks will help listeners persuade and command attention, understand the impact of tone of voice, build “quiet capital” and articulate meaning clearly. Dive deeper into these concepts in Jessica's book, available through the links below.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicachenpage/ Book: https://smartnotloudbook.com/ Website: https://soulcastmedia.com/ Shop on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Not-Loud-Noticed-Reasons/dp/0593717686   

  Succession planning is evolving beyond the C-suite and becoming a critical, organization-wide strategy. In this episode, Angela Stopper, Chief Learning Officer and Director of People & Organization Development at UC Berkeley, redefines succession planning as a forward-thinking, people-centric approach tailored for today's dynamic workforce. Angela shares her future-ready, 4-stage process that L&D professionals can implement across their organizations. She also offers practical advice on tackling the biggest challenges facing L&D teams, securing buy-in from managers at every level, and designing a comprehensive strategy that prepares the entire organization for future success. Angela has shared several resources for free! If you used these and have a success story, share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KBG73KD  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-stopper ATD24 Session Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14CWx6A0aIpZGxfAuAjw1FDrbq8SSjt3G/edit#slide=id.p30 ATD24 Summary with Resources: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UtimZCJ_V-8tQbxr3gU9WmbZ9M-KHl5W/edit#slide=id.p1 Succession Planning Toolkit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ss3i9V43Q7ZMHb4bDi0VPGM7hwwImvx/edit 

AI Agents are having their “electricity moment” in this era of technological invention. In this episode, we define AI agents and their evolving role in L&D with Mike Hruska, President and CEO of Problem Solutions. Mike explains the difference between chatbots and agents and offers practical tips for experimenting with these tools—whether you're a beginner or an expert.  Mike also shares insights on how to strategically integrate AI into your organization using an effort-impact evaluation. He outlines a clear path for moving AI agents from “toy to tool to trusted teammate” and offers a peek into the future landscape of generative AI. Tune in to hear examples of AI in action and steps to overcome skepticism while maximizing the benefits of AI in talent development.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehruska AI Blog Series: https://www.td.org/p/michael-hruska-?categories.lvl0%5B0%5D=Blog   AI Tool: https://getmaya.coach/   Age of Invisible Machines: https://www.invisiblemachines.ai/ 

Storytelling is fundamental for connection, but most people would not be considered naturally skilled at the art. On this episode, G. Riley Mills, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Pinnacle Performance Company, dives into why storytelling can be a challenge for L&D professionals and shares actionable strategies for honing communication skills.   G. Riley Mills outlines his 6-step framework for crafting compelling stories, offering insights on how to tailor your message to different audiences and embrace the art of brevity. Through examples of his personal experiences, G. Riley Mills shares how to evoke authentic emotion, influence listeners, and create stories that inspire action within your organization.  Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gamills Website: https://new.pinper.com/resources/ Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2024/08/08/collaborative-communication-building-stronger-teams/  The Bullseye Principle: https://www.amazon.com/Bullseye-Principle-Intention-Based-Communication-Collaborate/dp/1119484715  Tedx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou4xYfsJVsk  

Julie Winkle Giulioni, a leadership and career development expert, is the author of Promotions Are So Yesterday and co-author of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go. In this episode, Julie places her upcoming third edition of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go in the context of today's rapidly changing workforce.  Julie discusses the social invisibility impacting remote worker professional development and how managers can integrate meaningful career conversations into regular interactions with employees. She also explains why organizations should embrace skill growth within talent, ways individuals can “manage up” and take control of their career trajectory, and L&D's role in mitigating talent hoarding.   Resources:   Website: https://www.juliewinklegiulioni.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewinklegiulioni/ Promotions Are So Yesterday: https://www.td.org/product/p/112202   Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go, Re-released September 24: https://www.amazon.com/Help-Them-Grow-Watch-Third-dp-B0CQW78KMX/dp/B0CQW78KMX/ref=dp_ob_title_bk   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JulieWinkleGiulioni.Author/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYPG2YOq_4GTPUUrM1n4Q1w 

Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist, educator, and published author, joins the podcast to discuss overcoming the three biggest hurdles blocking learning transfer: knowledge, contextualization, and adaptation.    The conversation also explores the distinctions between subject comprehension and ability, the dynamics of digital versus in-person learning, and the disparity between AI teachers and live instructors. Enjoy this episode to discover more about Jared's research and his “hack” for expediting learning transfer.   Resources:   • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-cooney-horvath  • LME Global: https://www.lmeglobal.net/?r_done=1  • Jared's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCypIIZtJ1JOJ8VdED2L360Q   • Harvard Business Review article: The Limits of GenAI Educators: https://hbr.org/2024/07/the-limits-of-genai-educators  • The Dilemma Regarding Transfer: https://www.td.org/content/td-magazine/the-dilemma-regarding-transfer

Melissa Loble, Chief Academic Officer for Canvas by Instructure and a professor at UC Irvine, joins the podcast to discuss lifelong learning. Melissa offers practical advice for companies looking to move beyond the rhetoric and foster a true culture of continuous development.   Melissa addresses common barriers to learning, such as time scarcity and the need for clear guidelines and engaging practice opportunities. She also provides best practice methods for catering programs for diverse audiences, designing courses from scratch, and getting to the “why” of learning. Avoid ineffective strategies and burnout—tune in for Melissa's expert guidance on making learning an integral part of everyday life.  Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaloble/ Canvas by Instructure: https://www.instructure.com/   Educast 3000 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2QTGC57NLu4id9FhV8GWZu?si=dc412648ccdf4c65

Learn how to break up emotional disconnection and repair workplace relationships with organizational psychologist Lola Gershfeld, founder of EMC Leaders. Discover the evergreen importance of emotional intelligence, how to disrupt negative relationship patterns, and practical steps to build stronger connections within your team. We delve into building emotional connection training and explore metrics to measure its effectiveness. Resources: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolagershfeld EmC Leaders: https://emcleaders.com/ TD Magazine article : https://www.td.org/magazines/td-magazine/together-everyone-achieves-more Emotional Connection Book: https://emcleaders.com/emotional-connection-book 

Hadiya Nuridden is the CEO and founder of Duets Learning and author of the new release, Quality Management in Learning and Development. In this episode, Hadiya breaks down what quality management really is and the misconceptions around it. Go beyond the limited “review process” mentality of checking for typos and broken links and learn how to think bigger by developing a quality management system that works toward the success of an organization.    The conversation also covers the challenges L&D professionals face when it comes to collaborating on a quality management system across departments. Hadiya shares her expertise on incorporating evidence-based procedures, designing for accessibility, and user-generated content in quality management guidelines. Resources Hadiya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadiyanuriddin   Book: https://www.td.org/book/quality-management-in-learning-and-development   Duets Learning Website: https://www.duetslearning.com/   Interlude Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/interlude-7036192515565240321/     

Matt Beane is an assistant professor in the Technology Management Department at UC Santa Barbara and the author of the groundbreaking book, The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines. In this episode, we delve into leveraging technology and the "three Cs" of learning: Challenge, Complexity, and Connection. Matt also discusses the technological threats facing talent professionals, what it means to be a “shadow learner,” and practical strategies for protecting skill development in the age of artificial intelligence. Resources:   Matt's Website: https://www.mattbeane.com/ Matt's Substack: https://substack.com/@mattbeane   Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbeane/   Access Free Chapter: accidentaltrainer.theskillcodebook.com The Skill Code: https://www.amazon.com/Skill-Code-Ability-Intelligent-Machines/dp/0063337797  

Karin Hurt and David Dye, CEO and President of Let's Grow Leaders, join the podcast to discuss their newly released book, Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict: What to Say Next to De-stress the Workday, Build Collaboration, and Calm Difficult Customers. The duo shares practical communication techniques from their book to help start difficult workplace conversations. They empower listeners with a framework for handling any conflict conversation: the “Four Dimensions of Constructive Conflict.” Enjoy the episode now to learn more about the 4-Cs and how to inject powerful phrases into your organization when navigating common workplace challenges, such as overwhelming workloads, matrixed teams, and difficult bosses. Resources:  Let's Grow Leaders: https://letsgrowleaders.com/ Powerful Phrases Book: https://letsgrowleaders.com/conflict-phrases-book/   Asking for a Friend Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/asking-for-a-friend-6850036657530507264/   Collaborative Conversations Guide: https://letsgrowleaders.com/conflict-and-collaboration-resource-center/   Synergy Stack: https://letsgrowleaders.com/team-collaboration-synergystack/   Karin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-hurt-7ab25910/ David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmdye/    

Katy Chandler, the VP of Talent Management at DuraServ, developed an internal credentialing program to train her industry's frontline technicians more efficiently and effectively. Katy shares how the program evolved to become a talent recruiting and retention tool by creating a visible career path for both new and experienced employees. She reveals the lessons she's learned and the progress made with each new iteration— from creating flexibility for different skill levels and adding new technology to avoiding scope creep, assessing the capability to sustain the program, and achieving stakeholder buy-in and end-user satisfaction. Resources:  Katy Chandler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-chandler DuraServ Website: https://duraservcorp.com/  DuraServ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/duraserv/   

Cortney Marchetti, HR Director at OverDrive, and Lindsey Levinsohn, Team Lead for OverDrive's corporate market, join the podcast to discuss how digital libraries can enhance strategic alignment for organizations. Cortney and Lindsey break down the inherent value of creating alignment, on both small and large scales. They share stories and examples of integrating digital libraries into work and team environments, including how to foster a diverse culture of perspectives, create shared spaces of community, and instill common vocabulary that helps set a unified vision.  Resources:   OverDrive Website: https://www.overdrive.com   Cortney Marchetti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortney-marchetti Lindsey Levinsohn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-levinsohn-b9931922 Books covered in the discussion:   Upstream by Dan Heath: https://heathbrothers.com/books/upstream/   Radical Candor by Kim Scott: https://www.radicalcandor.com/   Matthew McConnaughey: https://greenlights.com/   Daniel Pink: https://www.danpink.com/books/   Venus Williams: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Venus-Williams/author/B001ITTU8U?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true   Karie Willyerd: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karie-Willyerd/author/B003297IT2?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true  

In an era of technological disruption, the skill gaps craze continues to grow for many organizations. Bob Mosher, CEO of APPLY Synergies joins the podcast to offer an alternative way to think about skill building.  In this episode of Accidental Trainer, Bob discusses how aligning on the definition of “skill” is a crucial first step, the undervalued role of applying upskilling into the context of the work, and the advantage of a performance-first mindset. Bob also shares the lessons learned from the competency-based model trend and how to increase skill application post-training.  Resources:   Bob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmosher  5MomentsofNeed.com 

Global leaders agree that many people across the world are feeling the impact of a “loneliness epidemic.” Speaker, author and thought leader Devin Hughes discusses the state of human connection and how loneliness affects employee productivity on this episode of the Accidental Trainer Podcast.   Devin offers solutions for leaders struggling to approach the topic of loneliness with their team, how L&D can foster opportunities for connection, and improve the psychological safety of the organization's culture. Check out the podcast for more insight into overcoming loneliness.   Resources:  Devin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/   Devin's Website: https://devinchughes.com/   Devin's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DevinCHughes   Devin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinchughes/?hl=en  Devin's Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Devin-C.-Hughes/author/B008MEKDXU?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true  

Elaine Lin Hering is a facilitator, communications coach, and author of the newly released Unlearning Silence. An expert on using your voice in the workplace, Elaine unpacks several major themes from her book, common challenges facing trainers, cultivating awareness around learned silence, and empowering others to speak up.  Elaine offers practical advice for finding your authentic voice and navigating and mitigating direct speech. She also shares the basics of her “Three Buckets” framework and Little Experiments Method and how to implement them into a team's culture. Listen for Elaine's thought-provoking ideas to dismantle your own learned silence. Resources:  Elaine Lin Hering on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainelinhering/   Elaine's website: https://elainelinhering.com/   Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully: https://elainelinhering.com/book/  Elaine's Newsletter: https://hello.elainelinhering.com/newsletter   Elaine's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elainelinhering/  

Greg Harmeyer is the co-founder and CEO of TiER 1 Performance and the author of Impact with Love: Building Business for a Better World. On the podcast, Greg offers insight on how to shift an organization toward a modernized operating model, with the goal of intentionally creating a healthier work environment.   Greg details how clarity, consistency, and trust are essential to this process, the benefits of leaving traditional systems behind, and tips for instilling agility into a company's workforce. The discussion also covers the six elements of a fulfilling role, the five pillars of a dynamically distributed authority organization, and the four levels of a hospitality minded culture.  Resources: Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregharmeyer/  Impact with Love: Building Business for a Better World:  https://tier1performance.com/impact-with-love/  Points of Impact Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/points-of-impact-7099343384342908929/   TiER1 Performance: https://tier1performance.com/  Greg's ATD Blog Post- "How Are You Really Doing? Using Self-Reflection to Achieve Fuller Engagement, Performance, and Impact": https://www.td.org/atd-blog/how-are-you-really-doing-using-self-reflection-to-achieve-fuller-engagement-performance-and-impact   

Holly Burkett is the principal consultant of HB Consulting and Evaluation Works, a performance consultancy in Northern California, and the author of Learning for the Long Run. She joins the podcast to discuss change fatigue, where it comes from, and how TD professionals can help organizations overcome common change fatigue challenges.   Holly reframes change management as energy management and offers suggestions to embed wellness into organizational culture. Her 4-R framework will alter how L&D tackles change fatigue, and how leaders view capacity and capability within their employees.   Resources:  Holly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-burkett-phd-sphr-2672062/   HB Consulting and Evaluation Works: https://hollyburkett.com/   Holly's TD article: https://www.td.org/magazines/td-magazine/combating-change-fatigue   Holly's Book, Learning for the Long Run: https://www.td.org/books/learning-for-the-long-run   More from Holly at ATD: https://www.td.org/user/about/HollyBurkett-000002   Holly's Change Management chapter in ATD's Organization Development Handbook: https://www.td.org/book/atds-organization-development-handbook  

Dr. Karl Kapp is a well-published author, professor at Commonwealth University, and all-around expert on instructional design and technology application in the L&D field. On the podcast, he shares his yearly predictions for the industry and which trends he expects to be popularized. Karl also gives his personal method for finding the latest fads, talks in-depth about the future of AI, and explains what soft skills will be deemed most valuable to organization leaders.  Resources: Karl Kapp's Website: https://karlkapp.com/ On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlkapp/ Monthly Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/l-d-easter-eggs-6599686641453977600/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfKapp01 L&D Mentor Academy: https://www.ldmentor.com/  For ATD: https://www.td.org/user/about/karlkapp-000001 Commonwealth University Program: https://www.bloomu.edu/academics/programs/information-technology-ms

Katrina Kennedy is a talented master trainer who's been leading train-the-trainer for over 27 years. She joins the podcast to reveal how she puts evidence-based learning strategies into practice in her training programs. Katrina passionately shares practical examples and tools you can use to facilitate retrieval practice and reflection for your learners. Katrina also discusses the value of spaced retrieval, and how to strategically incorporate feedback into your learners' practice. Check out the episode for tips, tricks, and resources that will make implementing active learning strategies easier in both in-person and virtual training. Resources: Katrina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakennedytraining Katrina at TK: https://atdtk24.eventscribe.net/speakers.asp?pfp=Browse%20by%20Speaker Katrina's website: https://katrinakennedy.com/ Katrina's ATD content profile: https://www.td.org/user/content/KatrinaKennedy Katrina on ATD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ATD_Official/search?query=katrina%20kennedy Tools mentioned in the conversation: Kahoot: https://kahoot.com/ Mural: https://www.mural.co/ Miro: https://miro.com/ Google Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/create Scrumblr: http://scrumblr.ca/

Impassioned speaker and author of Leading Imperfectly, James Robilotta, shares how tapping into the power of curiosity can transform communities. James breaks down his framework for cultivating curiosity and reveals how starting with better questions will lead you to more authentic connection and loyalty at work and in your personal life. Tune in for more advice on disrupting your patterns with others, resetting difficult relationships, and a phrase that may be better than any active listening question. Resources:  James' Website: https://jamestrobo.com/ James' Book, Leading Imperfectly: https://jamestrobo.com/book   James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrobilotta/   James on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamestrobo/?hl=en   James on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamestrobo   James on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesTRobo   James on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesTRobo/  

Lauren Weinstein, co-author of The Empowered Job Search and the Career Discovery & Enablement Lead at Microsoft, is on the podcast this week to discuss the complexities of job changes and career development. Sharing her personal story of being laid off, Lauren offers advice for those transitioning between roles, companies, and industry fields.  A job change, whether intentional or unplanned, can be an emotional experience. In the conversation, Lauren covers separating work from identity, reflecting on both the positives and negatives of career shifts, and empowering others as they go through a transitionary time.  Lauren also breaks down how L&D professionals can balance leading others through career development while going through it themselves. Listen for more on her ongoing research on the topic, career coaching tips, and job search coping recommendations.    Resources:  Lauren Weinstein on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbweinstein   The Empowered Job Search: https://www.laurenbweinstein.com/theempoweredjobsearch 

Evidence-informed learning designer and educational technology specialist, Nidhi Sachdeva, breaks down the dangers of conflating neurodivergence and learning styles. Discussing Dual Coding Theory, Cognitive Theory, and Information Processing Theory, Nidhi explains the science behind how people learn and what trainers often get wrong.   While discussing the myth of learning styles, Nidhi shares her advice for using kindness to correct misinformation, the importance of nuance to understand learning abilities, and the origin of common learning misconceptions. She also offers tips for creating a multi-tiered system of support for diverse learners.  The conversation touches on Nidhi's accidental path to learning sciences, her current research projects, and what the future holds for the field. Listen to our episode for more on how trainers can accommodate diverse learners by applying the science of learning.    Resources:  Nidhi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nidhi-sachdeva-toronto/   Nidhi's Science of Learning Substack: https://scienceoflearning.substack.com/   Conference: researchED Canada - The Science of Learning - Toronto May 3-4, 2024 https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/researched-canada-the-science-of-learning-toronto-may-3-4-2024-tickets-765640259627  

Julie Dirksen is a learning strategist and author of the recently released book, Talk to the Elephant. She joins the podcast to chat about designing learning for behavior change. We discuss several topics from her book, including the COM-B behavior model, and how to map it to your behavior change interventions. Julie reveals the biggest barriers to behavior change– like motivation, competing priorities, and feedback– and what you can do about them. The examples Julie shares from different organizations' behavior change initiatives demonstrate how these strategies can be applied across various domains and industries.   Resources: ·       Julie Dirksen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedirksen ·       Talk to the Elephant: https://usablelearning.com/elephant/ ·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/designforhowpeoplelearn

Belo Miguel Cipriani, digital inclusion strategist and founder of Oleb Media, joins the podcast to help us rethink accessibility. Learn how to overcome the intimidation factor of accessibility and engage in active digital inclusivity with Belo's empowering recommendations.     Belo shares his personal experience living with a disability and addresses the overwhelming learning curve of accessibility standards and guidelines. He offers actionable strategies and powerful questions to integrate into the procurement of new tools, content creation, and the evaluation of your content's accessibility.   The conversation also considers how organizations can maintain an inclusive workplace while respecting employees' privacy. Belo's insight for teams working in virtual environments gives confidence that anyone can get started with digital inclusion today.       Belo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belo-miguel-cipriani/   Oleb Media: https://www.olebmedia.com/oleb-media-services/ Oleb Media on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oleb-media/  Oleb Books: https://olebbooks.com/   Belo at ATD Intensive: https://atdintensive.td.org/agenda

David Dylan Thomas, Founder and CEO of David Dylan Thomas LLC and author of Design for Cognitive Bias, joins the podcast to share how L&D professionals can harness cognitive bias in their work. David reveals common cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, illusion of control, loss aversion bias, and consistency bias, and provides strategies to influence your stakeholders with these in mind. We also discuss the challenges of workplace change and why differentiating between behavior change and belief change matters.   Resources: ·       David Dylan Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddylanthomas1 ·       David Dylan Thomas's Website: https://daviddylanthomas.com/ ·       Design for Cognitive Bias: https://www.amazon.com/DESIGN-COGNITIVE-David-Dylan-Thomas/dp/1937557979 ·       Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555

Mallory Flynn, Content Manager of Organizational and Career Development at ATD, joins the podcast to discuss the latest projects she's been working on. Mallory shares what it was like to work behind the scenes on the newly released, ATD's Organization Development Handbook, and how the book was specifically created to support L&D professionals navigate OD from an L&D lens. She also shares how the OrgDev conference has grown and evolved over the past year, including a brand new advisory board, RFP process, new tracks, new preconference workshops, and what to expect at this year's upcoming event. We also discuss the unique qualities ATD's Job Bank offers for L&D professionals. Resources: Mallory on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/flynnmallory ATD's Organization Development Handbook: https://www.td.org/book/atds-organization-development-handbook OrgDev: https://orgdev.td.org/ ATD Job Bank: Jobs.td.org

Louise Hendey, CEO of Erickson Coaching International, joins the podcast to discuss how a coaching mindset can build critical skills and resiliency in the workplace. She shares common ways organizations leverage coaching, including leadership development, team collaboration, and innovation.  Louise also describes the interconnected role that social connections and psychological safety play in building resilience, and provides examples of powerful coaching questions anyone can use for transformative change.   Resources: ·       Louise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-hendey-globalblueocean/ ·       Courageous Conversations podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3nglsJdiECgHB7wXT5PtfV ·       Erickson+ Coaching Network: https://www.erickson.edu/en/erickson_plus

Kris Newbauer, Chief People Officer and Head of People and Talent at Rotary International and author of Aligning Instructional Design with Business Goals, breaks down his eight-step framework that TD professionals can apply to strategically identify business needs, define success, and design curriculum with evaluation in mind.    Resources: ·       Kris' new book: Aligning Instructional Design with Business Goals ·       Kris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristophernewbauer ·       Kris' recent blog: https://www.td.org/atd-blog/dollars-make-sense-money-doesnt-have-to-be-a-dirty-word-in-td

Markus Bernhardt, Chief Consultant for Endeavor Intelligence Insights, is an AI and digital transformation strategist. He joins the podcast to help us set realistic expectations about AI. He breaks down how large language models are built and explains why hallucinations in AI tools like Chat GPT will continue to occur. He also reveals how L&D professionals can leverage a deeper understanding of generative AI's limitations to drive more meaningful conversations with AI suppliers and vendors that go beyond the hype.  Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-bernhardt https://www.learningguild.com/publications/183/ais-increasingly-important-role-in-ld/ 

Destery Hildenbrand, XR Solution Architect at Intellezy, joins the podcast to discuss extended reality (XR), and its evolving role in L&D. Destery defines XR, AR, VR, and MR with a quick “reality check”. He shares his impressions of the Apple Vision Pro product announcement and the implications new immersive technologies like this may have for L&D, workplaces, and our everyday lives.   Resources: ·       Destery on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desteryhildenbrand ·       TD at Work guide: https://www.td.org/td-at-work-guide/bring-training-to-life-with-virtual-reality

Annie Murphy Paul, author of The Extended Mind, joins the podcast to discuss the benefits of thinking outside of the brain. Our conversation explores how to enhance our thinking abilities by harnessing the power of our bodies, our environments, and the people around us.     Resources: AMP's Twitter: https://twitter.com/anniemurphypaul AMP's Website: https://anniemurphypaul.com/ The Science of Creativity newsletter: https://anniemurphypaul.substack.com/ AMP's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-murphy-paul/ A Modern Approach to Apprenticeship with Jake Gittleson: https://atdpodcast.libsyn.com/a-modern-approach-to-apprenticeship-with-jake-gittleson

Bryant Galindo, founder of CollabsHQ and a workplace mediator and executive coach, joins the podcast to discuss conflict resolution tools every modern learner should know. Bryant defines mediation and highlights the similarities and differences between coaching and mediation. Bryant shares communication techniques to create more productive dialogues. We also discuss navigating stress, strategies to use when you have a disagreement with someone and exercises to find common ground. Resources: Bryant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryantgalindo CollabsHQ: https://www.collabshq.com/ Bryant's book: The New Middle: Connecting Heart and Mind to Collaboratively Disagree

Anastasia Deduykhina, founder of Consciously Digital, joins the podcast to discuss digital wellbeing. Anastasia shares how digital transformation is impacting key workplace skills, including learning, memory, active listening, and critical thinking. She provides suggestions to regain focus, reduce stress, create boundaries with digital devices, and reconnect with our bodies. Resources: Anastasia on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/anastasiadedyukhina Consciously Digital: https://www.consciously-digital.com/founders-story TEDx Talk: Are you a Robot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOul_7qAOws https://www.td.org/atd23news/help-your-internal-librarian-help-youhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17024677/ London taxi drivers study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17024677/

Amanda Smith, Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer at the City of Alexandria, joins the podcast to discuss her approach to innovation in the government sector. Amanda shares her four-pillar approach to creating a culture that cultivates innovation and provides examples of how to rethink your strategy for leadership, workforce, processes, and partnerships.    Resources: Amanda Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-smith-08320711 Amanda's TD at Work, “Self-Directed Learning Made Simple”: https://www.td.org/td-at-work/self-directed-learning-made-simple Maryland Removes College Degree Requirements from some State Jobs: https://www.newsnationnow.com/solutions/maryland-opened-up-jobs-to-people-without-four-year-degrees

Lenny Grinberg, Director of Business Development and Account Management at RWS, joins the podcast to discuss why localization matters. He shares the differences between translation and localization and reveals the biggest mistake content creators make when it comes to translating content. Lenny offers his perspective on the potential risks and benefits of free translation tools and how L&D professionals can enhance the user experience by changing their approach to translating content.   Resources: ·       RWS Website: https://www.rws.com/ ·       Lenny Grinberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennygrinberg/ ·     

In this episode, Stella Lee, chief learning strategist at Paradox Learning, shares her take on the current landscape of AI. Stella provides strategic questions everyone should be asking as they evaluate AI and its evolving role in L&D and the future of work, predicts how L&D roles will change, and gives recommendations to navigate the AI revolution happening all over the world. Resources: Stella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellal/ Paradox Learning: https://paradoxlearning.com/ Futurepedia: https://www.futurepedia.io/ FutureTools: https://www.futuretools.io/ Crunchbase List of AI companies: https://www.crunchbase.com/hub/artificial-intelligence-companies Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criedo Perez Medium: https://medium.com/tag/artificial-intelligence/top/year Policies: EU AI Act, US AI Bill of Rights, Canada Bill C-27 Ravit Dohan's LinkedIn Post on ChatGPT and Gender Bias All Tech Is Human: Alltechishuman.org Joseph Gordon-Levitt's collaborative media platform: https://hitrecord.org/

Megan Torrance, CEO and founder of TorranceLearning, joins the podcast to share how to get started with data and analytics.  Megan provides a framework for talent development professionals to archive, analyze, and act on workplace learning data, whether you are a beginner or a long-time data user.   Resources: Megan's new book: Data and Analytics for Instructional Designers Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megantorrance TorranceLearning website: https://www.torrancelearning.com/

Luke Hobson, Senior Instructional Designer and Program Manager at MIT xPRO, joins the podcast to share the value of blogging and why talent development professionals should leverage it in their work. He describes how blogging can help repackage content and how to implement it in organizations today. We also discuss the active learning benefits of writing a blog, and how to build both your personal brand and knowledge base by blogging on social platforms like LinkedIn.   Resources: Luke's website: https://drlukehobson.com/ttps://drlukehobson.com/ Luke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-hobson-edd-7a685622