28. Maturing the L&D Function with David James
L&D Must Change
Imagine a world where L&D is a driving force behind business transformation, not just a provider of training. In this episode, David James, former Disney L&D leader and current CLO of 360Learning shares why realizing this vision requires L&D to mature beyond reactive and even proactive operational models. He introduces a new L&D maturity model that lays out a clear roadmap for that shift and explains why this evolution is more urgent than ever. This conversation offers both inspiration and a practical starting point for what’s next. Jess and David discuss The need for...
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27. Rethinking Performance Feedback with Dr. Sandra Mashihi and Dr. Kenneth M. Nowack
L&D Must Change
Good feedback fuels performance and behavior change. Poor feedback does the opposite. It’s one of the most powerful tools in a leader’s toolkit, yet one of the hardest to get right. In this episode, Dr. Ken Nowack and Dr. Sandra Mashihi unpack why feedback often fails, and how L&D can help leaders build the skills to deliver it in ways that actually drive results. From the neuroscience of feedback to practical models like the 3E framework and 4-quadrant approach, Ken and Sandra offer L&D professionals a clear path to elevating feedback across the organization. What You'll...
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26. AI Isn't a Tool; It's a Team Member with Josh Penzell
L&D Must Change
Everyone’s talking about AI—but are we thinking about it the right way? In this special one-year anniversary episode, I finally dive into the AI conversation with Josh Penzell, who challenges us to see AI not as a tool, but as a teammate. This conversation isn’t about learning prompts—it’s about shifting mindsets and imagining what’s possible when we stop trying to make faster horses and start building something entirely new. Josh and Jess Discuss Using AI as a collaborative team member and not a tool. Working with AI as a brainstorming partner to reduce cognitive load and...
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25. L&D in the Startup World with Tom Bowen
L&D Must Change
When does the L&D function form in an organization? What's the first order of business when it does? Today's guest, Tom Bowen, is known as the L&D pro who can get an L&D function up and running in the startup world and he's done that job over and over again. He even calls himself a "serial startup guy" for L&D. In this episode, Tom will share what it's like to be the first L&D pro hired into a small start-up business including when he's usually brought in, what he does first, and what makes working in L&D in the startup world unique. Jess and Tom...
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24. What L&D Can Learn From Product Management with Rashi Kakkar
L&D Must Change
There's nothing I love more than when someone takes on an L&D role from another industry and becomes immediately confused as to why our profession functions the way it does. It provides an immediate opportunity for new ideas and conversation. This was the case for today's guest, Rashi Kakkar, when she moved from a career consulting in product management into an L&D leadership role. The result was a marriage of the two professions. One where the best pieces from each were elevated and the confusing bits eliminated. It turns out L&D can learn a lot from product management. ...
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23. Is It Time to Ditch Your LMS? with Sarah Mercier
L&D Must Change
How do you feel about your LMS? If you're like most you may have a love + hate relationship with the platform. Today's guest, Sarah Mercier, found herself working with client after client trying to solve clunky LMS issues, so she threw out the LMS playbook and created an alternate tool. What does that mean for you? Well, you just might not need your LMS any longer. Sarah and Jess discuss: The evolution of learning platforms Ongoing issues with traditional LMS systems like complexities in user access, content delivery, and data fragmentation The creation of the new, XCL tool,...
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22. Designing and Measuring on Purpose with Chris Taylor
L&D Must Change
It's time to clarify the purpose of our learning programs with our stakeholders, and I mean really clarify. Not just write the learning outcomes and create an evaluation form, but zero in our stakeholders' real needs and expectations. According to today's guest, Chris Taylor, CEO of Actionable.co, taking the reins to clearly define the purpose behind the request should drive everything else we do from design through measurement. Armed with a few practical questions, a strategy for continuous alignment, and clear measures to define our next steps, we can uplevel the effectiveness and...
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21. Should L&D be Adding, Subtracting, or Changing? with Lavinia Mehedintu
L&D Must Change
It's time for L&D to both amp up our toolbox and become a tad more critical of our own work. Instead of adding content, we need to think about subtracting it or better yet, make changes that enable performance. Too often we prioritize activities over goals. Lavinia Mehedintu is known for this type of progressive thinking about the work of L&D, but she also believes in the necessity and power of supporting each other through changes in our profession that may feel risky. Join us in this conversation where we discuss some of the challenges L&D must address to have a greater...
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20. The Intersection of L&D and Change Management with Jody Lumsden
L&D Must Change
L&D and change management may be different professions, but they are deeply interconnected. In today's episode, Jody Lumsden shares how the intersection of these two approaches benefits everyone involved. This episode covers: How L&D practitioners add value to change management initiatives. Key change management models that can enhance L&D effectiveness. The importance of zooming out to see the bigger picture of the change beyond training requests. Aligning the timing of learning/training interventions with the change curve. L&D as an advocate for the "people side"...
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19.What It Takes to Hire and Develop an L&D Team with Laurel Schulert
L&D Must Change
Hiring and developing the best L&D team isn't easy. Determining needed roles, writing a clear JD, selecting the appropriate amount of prior expertise needed, and working with recruiters (who may or may not "get" what L&D does) all add to the complexity. Then, there's the issue of developing the teams we have - ensuring team members continue advancing their L&D skills and expertise. We need to keep pushing team members (and ourselves) outside of our comfort zones to make a bigger impact! Join Jess Almlie and guest Laurel Schulert as they discuss these challenges and more...
info_outlineIt's Episode 1 of the L&D Must Change podcast and we are starting off with a bang! Today we welcome talent development leader, author, speaker, and Back to the Future aficionado JD Dillon to talk about shifting our L&D mindsets to creatively match the needs of the people in our businesses. In many ways, we need to get out of our own way and move away from our own legacy thinking.
You'll hear:
- The math problem that makes up our biggest challenge in L&D today and why it can no longer be addressed with traditional tactics.
- How we need to shift our mindset from that of providing traditional learning solutions to one where we are doing what is needed to help everyone in the organization do their best.
- When we, in L&D, get in our own way and create our own barriers.
- How L&D should start by using the tools, tactics, and technologies that are already easily available to people as they do their jobs.
- The necessity of L&D to have strong cross-functional partnerships in order to help people do their best work.
- The need for L&D to proactively understand how work and businesses will transform via emerging tech.
- How to start shifting perceptions of L&D by helping with minor issues, establishing a bottom-up approach.
- And most importantly, how L&D can and should act more like Alfred and less like Batman (copyright Warner Brothers).
JD Dillon is a veteran talent development leader, internationally recognized author and speaker and dedicated Back to the Future aficionado. Over the past 20 years, he's led operations and L&D teams at Disney, Kaplan and AMC. Today, JD advises organizations around the world on learning and enablement strategies as Axonify’s Chief Learning Architect and Founder and Principal at LearnGeek. He’s also never ridden a bicycle.
Find and connect with JD Dillon here:
- LearnGeek
- Axonify
- Find out more about JD's book (which Jess believes should be required reading for anyone in L&D) here: https://jdwroteabook.com/
- JD's talk show, In the Know
Find and connect with Jess Almlie here:
- Subscribe to the L&D Must Change Newsletter
- Learning Business Advisor Consulting