Rogue L+D Hotshots with Tom Bailey

After 20 years in L&D, Bob Mosher had a wake-up call—he wasn’t enabling performance, just pushing more training.

Show Notes Body

Most organizations view training as the answer to employee performance—but what if that’s the wrong approach? In this episode, learning and development veteran Bob Mosher shares why he abandoned traditional training methods in favor of a performance-first strategy.

Bob, co-founder of Applied Synergies and a leader in the L&D space for over 40 years, reveals why onboarding programs often backfire, the dangers of a “school-up” mindset, and how embedding learning into the flow of work creates lasting impact. He also shares a case study of a company that slashed onboarding time from 18 months to just 3—while improving retention and business outcomes.

If you want to rethink your approach to employee development and maximize business impact, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.

Key Takeaways

1. Traditional onboarding programs often feel more like offboarding, leading to high attrition and disengagement. A shift toward continuous, embedded learning drastically improves employee retention and satisfaction.

2. The key to effective L&D isn’t more training—it’s enabling performance in the workflow. By focusing on performance-first strategies, companies can improve outcomes without adding more courses.

3. Business impact should be the primary measure of success for learning initiatives. The best programs are those that tie directly to real performance metrics and organizational goals.

   
   

   Timestamps:

• [00:00] The mindset shift from training to performance enablement

• [01:00] Bob Mosher’s background and experience in L&D

• [02:45] The major flaw in traditional corporate training

• [04:30] How onboarding often fails new employees

• [06:15] The airline onboarding program disaster

• [08:30] Transforming onboarding into an experience, not an event

• [11:20] How embedding learning in the flow of work drives success

• [14:45] Measuring business impact instead of training completion

• [18:10] The surprising ROI of performance-first L&D strategies

• [21:45] Bob Mosher’s biggest career shift and what he learned from it

• [25:30] The best L&D programs Bob has seen in action

• [29:00] Final advice for learning leaders

  Links

• Bob Mosher on Linkedin

• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn

• Tom Bailey Website

• Apply Synergies

Imagine investing millions in training—only to see zero results. It happens more than you think.

Most corporate training programs fail because they focus on information rather than transformation. In this episode, Paul Scott, General Manager of Zenzai ANZ, shares how to build a learning and development strategy that actually works. From AI-powered insights to real-world application, Paul reveals what the best organizations do differently to engage employees, drive performance, and create lasting change.

With decades of experience in call centers, leadership, and now spearheading the "human success" category in learning, Paul dives into what makes people tick, why vulnerability is key, and how to future-proof your workforce. Whether you're in HR, leadership, or simply want to grow, this episode is packed with game-changing insights.

Key Takeaways1. Vulnerability is a strength in leadership and learning. Admitting you don’t know something opens doors for growth and collaboration.2. The best learning strategies focus on real-world application. Simply delivering information isn’t enough—execution is key.3. AI and data-driven insights are changing learning & development. The ability to validate information and personalize learning is more powerful than ever.Timestamps:

• [00:00] Best advice: Believe in yourself and embrace vulnerability
• [00:50] Introduction to the Rogue L&D Hot Shots podcast
• [01:10] Paul Scott’s background: From call centers to learning & development
• [02:40] Passion for helping people achieve their dreams
• [03:30] The best L&D initiative Paul has seen: Rebranding and upskilling at Zenzai
• [04:50] Transforming India’s customer service industry with a world-first project
• [06:30] AI in learning: How Perplexity Pro and data-driven insights are changing L&D
• [08:00] The worst training experience: A rigid sales course that didn’t work
• [10:30] A belief Paul had that nobody else agreed with: Empathy over manipulation
• [12:40] Meeting Mick Jagger: A surprising and hilarious celebrity encounter

Links

• Paul Scott on Linkedin
• Zensai Website
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

Your brain is designed to be lazy—and that’s exactly why most people stop learning.

Most leaders believe they’re constantly learning—but are they really? In this episode, we dive deep into what it actually takes to grow as a leader, why so many people stop learning after childhood, and how to reignite that spark.

Phil Cross, founding partner at Leaders for Good, shares insights on creating better team conversations, avoiding common leadership blind spots, and using learning as a tool for real transformation. Whether you’re leading a team or just looking to develop yourself, this conversation will change how you think about growth.

Key Takeaways

1. Learning isn't just for kids—it’s the key to unlocking better leadership. If you’ve lost the excitement of learning, it might be holding you back more than you think.
2. Diversity and inclusion aren’t just checkboxes—they require real, ongoing conversations. The best leaders challenge their assumptions and create space for new perspectives.
3. The best leadership development isn’t about what you teach—it’s about the conversations you start. Shaping the right discussions leads to real, lasting change.

Timestamps:

[01:32] – How leaders can create better conversations

[03:47] – Why most training programs fail

[06:25] – The key to running inclusive meetings

[08:59] – The role of AI in learning & development

[11:43] – What leaders should outsource vs. develop

[14:18] – Overcoming the biggest blind spot in leadership

[17:05] – The “complacency of good intentions” in diversity

[20:36] – The one question every leader should ask themselves

[23:51] – Why referrals are the ultimate success metric

Links Phil Cross on LinkedinLeaders for Good WebsiteTom Bailey on LinkedInTom Bailey Website

From coaching athletes to teaching educators, Chemène Sinson shares what makes learning truly transformational.In this episode, Chemène Sinson, an Olympic athlete turned educator, dives into the importance of resilience, adaptability, and learner-centric approaches in L&D. From designing effective programs to navigating the challenges of organizational demands, Chemène shares actionable insights that will inspire educators to prioritize care and creativity over perfection. Plus, hear the story of her unexpected connection with legendary musician Lenny Castro and what it taught her about life and learning.Key Takeaways

1. The best L&D programs are learner-centric, focusing on the journey from start to finish.
2. Resilience and adaptability, learned from elite sports, are vital for thriving in education and training.
3. Caring about learners’ success matters more than achieving perfection in teaching.

Timestamps

• [00:00] Chemène Sinson introduces her dual role in education and training
• [02:03] Finding joy in helping others achieve what they thought was impossible
• [03:00] Why the best L&D programs focus on the learner experience
• [05:40] Lessons in resilience from elite sports
• [07:45] Ice cream practices and a proud coaching moment
• [09:30] Worst experience in L&D: A tough lesson on preparation
• [11:45] Unexpected connections: Five hours with Lenny Castro
• [13:30] The challenge of addressing what clients think they want vs. what they need
• [15:00] Why caring is more important than perfection in L&D
• [16:30] Closing reflections on the value of fun and curiosity in education

Links

• Chemène Sinson on LinkedIn
• Chemène Sinson Website
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website
• Black Water Projects

Traditional L&D is dying, and that might be the best news for your organisation.

Discover how breaking free from traditional L&D thinking can transform your organisation's learning culture. This episode dives deep into real-world examples of digital transformation, human-centered leadership, and the courage to challenge conventional wisdom in corporate learning. You'll learn practical strategies for making L&D more relevant to business outcomes while building truly engaging learning experiences that drive organisational success.

Key Takeaways

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Links & Future Learnings

Why does leadership buy-in matter more than anything in L&D

In this episode, Lucas Lee dives into the transformative power of finding your IMP—identity, meaning, and purpose—and how it shapes career success. We explore the critical role of leadership buy-in in creating impactful L&D programs and how design thinking drives innovation in work and life. From mental well-being initiatives to career-defining moments, Lucas shares actionable strategies to help you lead with purpose, inspire your teams, and achieve sustainable balance in your career.

Key Takeaways

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Links & Future Learnings

The secret to better leadership isn't knowing all the answers—it's asking the right questions.

In this episode, you’ll learn how Tim Roberts Ferguson leveraged decades of experience in corporate L&D to build transformative sales and leadership programs. Discover how his innovative approaches to coaching and Insight Selling redefined team performance and created lasting impact.

From designing curated learning experiences to embracing cutting-edge tools like ChatGPT, Tim shares actionable strategies to empower individuals and organizations. Tune in to explore the principles of effective leadership and how asking the right questions can unlock new opportunities.

Key Takeaways

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Links & Future Learnings

Is your L&D program actually driving growth, or just ticking boxes?

Are we truly helping people grow, or are we stuck in outdated learning methods? In this episode, explore how a fresh take on learning and development can revolutionise workplace performance. From the importance of internal mobility to breaking free from traditional educational models, discover actionable strategies to make learning truly impactful. Learn how to build transformative experiences and foster growth while avoiding common pitfalls.

Key Takeaways

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Links & Future Learnings

Reach out and work with Tom Bailey - https://thomasbailey.co/

[00:17] Podcast overview: Meet brilliant minds in people development.

[00:53] Michelle’s journey: From teaching English in Japan to running Kairos Modern Learning.

[01:27] Starting early in L&D: Why timing and relationships matter.

[02:24] The power of relationships: Understanding the language of your business.

[04:38] Culture for learning: Addressing the missing foundation in leadership programs.

[06:17] Lessons from failure: Saying "yes" vs. learning when to say "no."

[08:37] Proudest moment: Facilitating a critical conversation on diversity and inclusion.

[10:20] Worst L&D moment: Early public speaking challenges in male-dominated spaces.

[13:03] Evidence-based practice: Why it’s crucial for effective L&D solutions.

What if everything we know about learning and development is actually excluding the people who need it most?"

Leadership is evolving, and the way we train leaders must evolve too. In this episode, we explore how agile leadership, inclusive practices, and innovative L&D strategies are reshaping workplaces for the future. Discover practical ways to create brain-friendly, effective learning experiences that reduce overwhelm and empower leaders to drive change. Whether you’re looking to improve team resilience or transform your personal leadership impact, this conversation offers valuable insights to help you lead with empathy, curiosity, and agility.

Key Takeaways:

Timestamps

Links & Future Learnings