In this episode, Ajay Gnanasekaran, Senior Program Director for Battery Workforce Development at Argonne National Labs, shares his experiences leading large technical teams in high-growth manufacturing environments, including the build-out of Panasonic’s Gigafactory in Nevada. He discusses strategies for workforce development, overcoming challenges in recruiting and retaining talent, and the importance of cultivating a high-performance culture through servant leadership and accountability. Ajay Gnanasekaran explores how clear processes, technical education, and leadership training are vital for scaling operations and supporting rapid industry innovation. Practical examples and lessons highlight the need for adaptability and people-focused leadership to drive success in today’s evolving manufacturing landscape.

In this episode, Susan Charlesworth, a specialist in human performance and former astronaut trainer for the European and UK Space Agencies, shares insights from her career in aviation psychology and leadership coaching. She discusses her path from early studies in psychology and aviation to working with astronauts and mission controllers, focusing on topics like leadership, teamwork, and communication. Susan Charlesworth explains the differences between structured, technical training environments and the realities of leadership in everyday organizations, highlighting the importance of trust, self-awareness, and adapting leadership frameworks to individual needs. The conversation also touches on the challenges technical professionals face as they move into management roles and the value of coaching and personalized development. Listeners interested in leadership development, especially within technical fields, will find practical advice and thoughtful reflection throughout the discussion.

In this episode, Paul Keutelian, CTO of Applied Atomics, discusses his experience leading teams to tackle complex engineering challenges in the nuclear and advanced industry sectors. He shares insights from his time at SpaceX, including the role of responsible engineers, the importance of ownership, and how to create a culture where mistakes are learning opportunities rather than career setbacks. The conversation explores how Applied Atomics approaches rapid innovation by aligning supply chain capabilities with practical engineering solutions, and how transparency and clear communication enable effective problem-solving. Paul Keutelian also emphasizes the significance of hiring the right team, building collaborative environments, and balancing discipline with creativity to achieve ambitious goals. The episode concludes with thoughts on leadership, accountability, and building companies that empower people to take responsible risks.

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, guest Lauren Waldman, a learning professional with a background in neuroscience, joins the show during the Dev Learn conference in Las Vegas. Lauren shares insights on how understanding the brain's mechanisms is essential for effective learning, behavior change, and habit formation in the workplace. The discussion highlights the differences between behaviors and habits, emphasizing that true, lasting change comes from creating strong memories through focus, repetition, and time. Listeners, especially managers and leaders, will learn why developing habits—not just one-off behaviors—is crucial for organizational success. Lauren also offers practical advice for designing learning experiences that align with how the brain naturally functions.

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, guest Jess Almlie, a strategic learning and talent development consultant, explains why training isn't always the solution to team performance issues. Drawing on her experience and insights from her book "L&D Order Taker No More," Jess Almlie shares practical examples and questions managers can use to diagnose workplace challenges, such as misaligned reward systems and process inefficiencies. Listeners will learn when training is appropriate and when other interventions are needed, making this episode valuable for managers seeking to improve team outcomes through thoughtful problem-solving and collaboration with learning teams.

In this episode, leadership coach and trainer Jen Recla discusses the vital role managers play in supporting and sustaining employee development after formal training ends. Drawing from her experience with executive leaders in smaller organizations, Jen emphasizes that true learning and change occur in the workplace, where ongoing coaching and follow-up from managers are crucial. She offers practical advice for leaders on prioritizing team support, effective delegation, and creating growth opportunities—all while managing the demands and potential burnout of leadership roles. The conversation also covers how organizations can better equip managers with resources and how collaboration between leaders and learning and development teams leads to more lasting impact.

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, Dr. Alaina Szlachta, founder and chief measurement architect of By Design Development Solutions, shares her perspective on the importance of evidence-based training requests. Drawing from her background in academic research and learning analytics, Dr. Szlachta explains why managers should bring data and tangible evidence—not just hunches or anecdotes—when approaching training teams for support. She highlights how numbers, including team feedback and performance metrics, help training teams identify gaps, validate proposed solutions, and measure the impact of learning initiatives. The discussion also covers challenges in accessing relevant data and emphasizes the collaborative role managers play in facilitating effective learning outcomes.

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, Brandon Carson, Chief Learning Officer at Docebo, shares his insights on the role of managers in the employee performance experience. Drawing from his extensive leadership background at major companies like Starbucks and Walmart, Brandon explores how managers can effectively connect individual strengths and opportunities to drive team performance. He emphasizes the importance of coaching, intentional talent development, and viewing training as an ongoing, business-connected process rather than a one-time event. Listeners will gain practical advice on building effective teams, adapting to the changing workforce, and developing managerial skills that foster continuous growth and high performance.

In this episode, David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and host of the Learning and Development Podcast, shares insights on how training should directly relate to the work employees do. He emphasizes that effective training isn't just about delivering broad topics, but about addressing the real needs and skills required for specific roles. The discussion covers the importance of integrating learning with everyday work, focusing on closing proficiency gaps, and using data-driven approaches to development. Listeners will also hear practical advice on mapping out essential skills for teams and defining what good performance looks like. This conversation is especially valuable for managers and organizations aiming to align their training programs more closely with business outcomes.

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, Ryan Austin, founder and CEO of Cognota, shares his insights on what managers should understand about training and talent development. Drawing from his experience working with various learning teams, Ryan emphasizes the crucial role managers play in identifying capability gaps within their teams and making strategic investments to achieve business goals. The conversation highlights how managers, being close to frontline challenges, can offer valuable input in shaping training initiatives—often bridging the gap between top-down directives and real team needs. Practical advice is given on how managers can approach collaboration with learning and talent teams, helping foster trust and effective communication. This episode offers actionable guidance for managers seeking to empower their teams and drive organizational success through targeted development efforts.

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