INTRO

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Braden, one of the most decorated learning and talent development leaders in the world. Michelle is a certified executive coach and former Chief Learning Officer with over 25 years of experience transforming how organizations grow their people. She has led global learning functions that supported tens of thousands of employees worldwide and earned industry-leading recognition, including 2023 CLO of the Year and multiple Brandon Hall Gold Awards for innovation in leadership development, blended learning, and onboarding impact.

We talk about how to design training that people actually remember, how to coach so your team can solve problems on their own, and how to use AI as a helper instead of a crutch. Michelle also shares her Why-What-How framework for developing any skill, her thoughts on the shortening of attention spans at work, and how leaders can empower their teams without losing accountability.

If you want to build a team that thinks critically, takes ownership, and grows without you having to hold their hand, this conversation will show you how.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• The Why-What-How framework for designing effective training
• How to create a learning culture in companies without formal L&D departments
• Why empowerment and accountability go hand in hand
• How to coach your team to think through problems, not wait for instructions
• The difference between delegation and true empowerment
• How to build confidence and ownership in new hires fast
• The impact of AI on learning and why critical thinking is still your superpower

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Situational Leadership Model – Helps leaders tailor their management style based on competence and commitment levels
• The Why-What-How Framework – Michelle’s practical method for structuring training so it is understandable, memorable, and applicable
• The Learning Imperative Podcast – Michelle’s show exploring how continuous learning fuels organizational innovation
• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz – A book Michelle credits with shaping her leadership and coaching philosophy

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbraden/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5yciplZSoX3QIa3xo9ISUL

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