Human Capital Lab

Welcome to the Human Capital Lab Podcast featuring Rich Douglas, the Executive Director of Bellevue University's Human Capital Lab. In this episode, Rich shares his extensive research on the role of the Chief Learning Officer (CLO). He explains the evolution of Human Resource Development (HRD) into Strategic HRD, focusing on the strategic leadership and responsibilities of CLOs. Rich discusses his grounded theory, research methodologies, and key findings on how CLOs become strategic leaders in their organizations. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the CLO phenomenon, career paths, and the future of talent development.

00:00 Introduction to the Human Capital Lab Podcast

00:25 Meet Rich Douglas: New Director of the Human Capital Lab

00:35 Research on Chief Learning Officers (CLO)

00:58 The Evolution of HRD and Talent Development

01:20 Rich Douglas' Background and Expertise

02:00 Purpose and Implications of the Research

02:27 Defining the Chief Learning Officer

05:30 Theoretical Foundations of HRD

06:48 Qualitative Research Methodology

10:18 CLO Career Path and Roles

15:20 Key Findings and Implications

24:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Human Capital Lab; 

• Host: Rich Douglas 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/ 
• Human Captial Lab Links 
• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/ 
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/  

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?

In this episode of the Human Capital Lab podcast, host Rich Douglas is joined by Denise McCauley, President and CEO, and MarshaGraesser, Director of Culture and Talent Development at WoodmenLife. They share their expertise on managing and engaging talent in the post-COVID world, emphasizing the importance of remote work balance, intentional engagement, and adaptive leadership. Discover the challenges, strategies, and best practices for fostering a strong company culture, enhancing team performance, and maintaining a sense of community and purpose among employees.

Tune in for valuable insights on navigating workforce engagement in today's dynamic work environment.

00:00 Introduction to the Human Capital Lab Podcast

00:27 Meet the Guests: Denise McCauley and Marsha Graesser

01:16 WoodmenLife: Company Overview and Mission

05:38 Challenges in the Insurance Industry

08:27 Adapting to Post-COVID Work Environment

12:06 Building Connections in a Remote World

19:59 Intentional Leadership and Engagement

20:52 The Challenge of Engagement in Virtual Settings

21:39 The Importance of Dressing for Your Day

22:50 Cultural Shifts and Engagement Strategies

25:11 WoodmenLife’s Unique Culture and Customer Engagement

29:16 Onboarding and Building a Collaborative Community

34:30 Balancing Diverse Workforce Needs

35:46 Encouraging Risk-Taking and Continuous Learning

38:11 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Connect with the Guests: WoodmenLife ;

• Denise McCauley's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-mccauley-5113465/
• Marsha Graesser's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshajgraesser/
• Website: https://www.woodmenlife.org/

Connect with Human Capital Lab; 

• Host: Rich Douglas 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/ 
• Human Captial Lab Links 
• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/ 
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/  

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?

In this Human Capital Lab podcast episode, Rich Douglas hosts Jennifer Nash, a consultant and coach, discussing the importance of human-centric leadership models. They explore the transition from command-and-control management to leadership prioritizing employees over processes, especially in a post-COVID world where remote work has redefined productivity dynamics. Jennifer shares her journey from encountering inspiring leadership styles at Ford Motor Company to developing her consultancy focused on fostering humane leadership.

Key principles such as strategic focus, relational connection, and understanding the human element are discussed as vital for effective leadership. The challenges of moving leaders from technical proficiency to people management are addressed, underscoring the importance of preparing leaders for personnel-based challenges. The episode highlights AI's positive shifts by taking over mundane tasks, allowing leaders to focus on human aspects of managing an engaged workforce.

00:00 Introduction to the Human Capital Lab Podcast

00:30 Meet Jennifer Nash: A Journey to Human Leadership

03:33 The Shift in Leadership Post-COVID

06:53 The Power of Human Leadership: A Personal Story

12:43 Principles of Human Leadership

15:10 Challenges in Leadership Development

22:27 Embracing AI and Human Leadership

25:31 Trust and Leadership in a Hybrid World

28:47 Becoming a Human Leader: Tools and Resources

31:22 Conclusion and Future of Human Leadership

Connect with the Guests: Jennifer Nash;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjennifernash/
• Website: https://drjennifernash.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennifernash/

Connect with Human Capital Lab; 

• Host: Rich Douglas 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/ 
• Human Captial Lab Links 
• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/ 
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/  

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?

In this episode of the Human Capital Lab podcast, host Rich Douglas interviews Erica Holthausen, founder of Catchline Communications. Erica sheds light on the significant benefits of getting published in trade journals and business magazines, especially for professionals in the talent development and human capital management fields. She emphasizes the importance of third-party validation, which can enhance one's personal brand, increase visibility, and build authority in their industry.

Erica also shares her journey from being a litigation attorney to becoming a consultant and publication expert. She offers practical advice for professionals looking to publish their ideas and highlights the difference between writing for periodicals and authoring a book. The discussion underscores the strategic use of writing to achieve specific career or business goals and encourages listeners to start writing, regardless of their initial skill level.

00:00 Introduction to the Human Capital Lab Podcast

00:30 Meet Erica Holthausen: Publishing Expert

01:14 The Importance of Publishing for Professionals

05:14 Erica's Journey: From Attorney to Consultant

14:40 Overcoming Writing Challenges and Finding Your Voice

22:13 Leveraging Publications for Career Growth

29:48 Barriers to Writing and How to Overcome Them

32:11 The Importance of a Shitty First Draft

32:51 Editing While Writing: A Recipe for Disaster

33:55 Testing Ideas Through Articles

35:34 The Chris Rock Method: Testing Material

36:44 From Articles to Books: Building a Body of Work

38:24 The Shelf Life of Written Content

41:34 Publishing Options: Self, Hybrid, and Traditional

46:31 The Value of Writing a Book

55:54 Erica's Writing Practice and Final Thoughts

Connect with the Guests: Erica Holthausen;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaholthausen/
• Website: https://catchlinecommunications.com/

Connect with Human Capital Lab; 

• Host: Rich Douglas 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/ 
• Human Captial Lab Links 
• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/ 
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/  

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?

In this episode of the Human Capital Lab podcast, host Rich Douglas is joined by Dr. Alaina Szlachta, owner and operator of By Design Development Solutions. The discussion delves deep into the vital importance of measurement and evaluation in talent development, especially amidst the challenges posed by COVID-19.  

Dr. Alaina Szlachta shares her professional journey, human behavior expertise, and research passion. The conversation highlights the integration of data enablement in businesses; the common barriers professionals face regarding data, and the essential role of pre-planning in the effectiveness of training programs. Practical insights include leveraging AI for needs analysis, the significance of triangulation, and actionable strategies featured in Dr. Alaina Szlachta's upcoming book, 'Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring,' slated for release in November. The episode encourages talent development professionals to develop business acumen and integrate data into their practices for better decision-making and impactful results. 

00:31 Meet Dr. Alaina Szlachta: From Teaching to Consulting 

00:39 The Importance of Measurement in Business 

02:28 Navigating COVID as a Consultant 

03:40 Data Enablement for Small Businesses 

04:48 Overcoming the Fear of Data 

07:46 Understanding Data and Artifacts 

10:28 The Role of ROI and Triangulation in Evaluation 

15:18 Planning and Hypothesis in Training Programs 

18:28 Consulting and Engaging with Business Leaders 

22:46 Client Stories and Data Enablement 

24:53 Creating Data-Driven Programs for Startups 

25:31 Scaling Small Businesses with Data Enablement 

27:01 The Role of Knowledge in Behavior Change 

28:32 Introducing the Book: Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring 

Connect with the Guests: Dr. Alaina Szlachta;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drszlachta/
• Website: https://dralainaszlachta.com/

Connect with Human Capital Lab; 

• Host: Rich Douglas 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/ 
• Human Captial Lab Links 
• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/ 
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/  

This is a Growth Network Podcasts production. 

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?

In this episode of the Human Capital Lab Podcast, host Rich Douglas interviews Neil Thompson, founder of Teach the Geek, a service aimed at improving public speaking and presentation skills among technical professionals. Neil shares his personal journey from struggling with presentations as a product development engineer to creating Teach the Geek to help other technical experts enhance their communication skills. 

He discusses the process and benefits of his coaching, including an online course and in-person training, and emphasizes the importance of clear communication for technical staff within organizations. The episode highlights how talent development departments can collaborate with Teach the Geek to empower their technical employees to become more effective communicators.

00:25 Meet Neil Thompson

01:06 Neil's Journey: From Research Associate to Product Development Engineer

02:56 The Birth of Teach the Geek

03:51 Teach the Geek: Services and Offerings

04:25 Improving Technical Communication Skills

06:09 The Teach the Geek Process

08:48 Engaging Talent Development Departments

11:16 The Importance of Technical Staff in Presentations

22:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thank you for joining us on the Human Capital Lab podcast journey. We hope you found inspiration and valuable insights from today's discussions. Be sure to share this episode with your colleagues and friends, and stay tuned for our exciting new season. Remember, continuous learning is the key to unlocking the long-term potential of human capital. 

Connect with the Guests: Neil Thompson;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilithompson/
• Website: https://teachthegeek.com/  

Connect with Human Capital Lab; 

• Host: Rich Douglas 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/ 
• Human Captial Lab Links 
• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/ 
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/  

This is a Growth Network Podcasts production. 

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?

In this episode of the Human Capital Lab podcast, host Rich Douglas is joined by guest Tricia Beck, an expert in mentoring with a focus on mentoring women. They discuss the multifaceted nature of mentoring, its distinctions from coaching, and the profound impact it can have on both mentors and proteges. Tricia shares insights from her book 'Mentoring Lifts and Inspires Women Empowering,' which provides practical advice for finding and becoming mentors and reflects on the broader implications of mentorship for career development.  

Additionally, they touch on the personal benefits of mentorship and Tricia’s second book on communication skills. The episode emphasizes the importance of listening, building trust, and the transformative potential of mentoring relationships in professional and personal development. 

00:37 Introducing Guest: Tricia Beck 

01:33 Understanding Mentoring 

02:34 Mentoring vs. Coaching 

04:05 Finding and Becoming a Mentor 

08:04 Tricia Beck's Journey and Insights 

14:03 The Impact of Mentoring 

25:29 Tricia Beck's New Book on Communication 

29:15 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information 

Thank you for joining us on the Human Capital Lab podcast journey. We hope you found inspiration and valuable insights from today's discussions. Be sure to share this episode with your colleagues and friends, and stay tuned for our exciting new season. Remember, continuous learning is the key to unlocking the long-term potential of human capital. 

Connect with the Guests: Tricia Beck;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia2thrive
• Website: https://heartfeltworkforce.com/  

Connect with Human Capital Lab; 

• Host: Rich Douglas 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/ 
• Human Captial Lab Links 
• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/ 
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/  

This is a Growth Network Podcasts production. 

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?

In this Human Capital Lab podcast episode, we sit down with Ana Dirksen, Chief Growth Officer and co-founder of Better Work Media Group (BMG). Ana discusses BMG's legacy programs, new ventures, and the transformation of talent development post-pandemic.  

She highlights their renowned CLO Symposium, new virtual CXO practitioner membership, and upcoming initiatives like the CXO Academy. Ana emphasizes BMG’s focus on senior-level L&D leaders, their specialized content, and the importance of networking and community among talent professionals. She also invites practitioners to engage with BMG’s offerings through newsletters, events, and their Learning and Talent Insights article series. 

00:36 Introducing Ana Dirksen from Better Work Media Group 

01:03 Ana Dirksen's Professional Journey 

02:42 Better Work Media Group: Legacy and New Ventures 

05:39 Networking and Community Building at BMG 

11:30 Virtual and In-Person Events at BMG 

16:03 Opportunities for Practitioners at BMG 

22:06 Future Plans and Innovations at BMG 

24:35 Closing Remarks and Contact Information 

Thank you for joining us on the Human Capital Lab podcast journey. We hope you found inspiration and valuable insights from today's discussions. Be sure to share this episode with your colleagues and friends, and stay tuned for our exciting new season. Remember, continuous learning is the key to unlocking the long-term potential of human capital. 

Connect with the Guests: Ana Dirksen;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anadirksen/  
• Website: https://www.betterworkmedia.com  
• Other Resources:  
• https://events.chieftalentofficer.co/2024-chief-talent-officer-summit 
• https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/   

Connect with Human Capital Lab; 

• Host: Rich Douglas 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/ 
• Human Captial Lab Links 
• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/ 
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/  

This is a Growth Network Podcasts production. 

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?

In this episode of the Human Capital Lab podcast, host Rich Douglas welcomes Heath Mello, President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. Heath discusses his background in public service, higher education, and economic development, emphasizing the key issues and strategies in talent development, retention, and organizational culture.  

The conversation covers the importance of microcredentials, the role of government and higher education institutions, and the evolving expectations of the workforce in a post-pandemic economy. Rich and Heath delve into practical advice for talent developers on making a business case for investment in talent management and explore the challenges and opportunities posed by technological advancements like AI. 

00:44 Meet Heath Mello: Background and Experience 

03:41 The Importance of Talent Development and Retention 

08:25 The Future of Workforce Skills and AI 

20:48 The Role of Government in Talent Development 

26:07 Making the Business Case for Talent Development 

38:39 Special Projects: A New Approach to Employee Growth 

43:56 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks 

Connect with the Guest, Heath Mello;   

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathmello  

Connect with Human Capital Lab;   

• Host: Rich Douglas   
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/   

Human Captial Lab Links   

• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/   
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/    

This is a Growth Network Podcasts production. 

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?

In this episode of the Human Capital Lab podcast, host Rich Douglas converses with Jess Almlie, an experienced talent developer and the founder of Learning Business Advisory Consulting. Jess shares her professional journey, highlighting her transition from various roles in talent development to leading her own consulting business. She emphasizes the importance of being a proactive business partner rather than an order taker, and discusses her consulting strategies that focus on learning, leadership development, and technical training. Jess also explains the significance of effective collaboration, measurement, and continuous learning within talent development. The episode offers valuable insights for talent developers aiming to enhance their strategic impact and partnership with businesses.  

00:27 Introduction and Guest Welcome  

00:51 Jess Almlie 's Career Journey 

02:19 Consulting Focus and Strategy  

06:33 Challenges in Talent Development  

09:51 Proactive Leadership and Collaboration  

23:54 Practicing Collaboration Within Teams  

24:15 Awareness and Communication in Talent Development  

27:05 Shifting Mindsets for Effective Measurement  

30:26 Curiosity and Business Savvy in Evaluation  

35:08 Developing Talent Developers  

37:54 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways  

40:06 Conclusion and Contact Information 

Connect with the Guests;  

• Jess Almlie :   
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/  

Connect with Human Capital Lab;  

• Host: Rich Douglas  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/  

Human Captial Lab Links  

• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/  
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/   

This is a Growth Network Podcasts production. 

Mentioned in this episode:

New Show - Talent in the Age of AI

Looking for what’s next?