SureSkills Learn to Grow Podcast

My guest this week is Dr. Keith Keating, CLO at BDO Canada and an influential author whose latest book, Hidden Value, reveals how learning can drive tangible business outcomes that traditional metrics often miss—turning capability building into a true competitive advantage.

(Sidenote: for anyone attending Devlearn in the coming weeks, Keith will be the keynote speaker there, which is super exciting.)

In this conversation we dig into three big themes:

• Learning how to learn: practical ways to build meta-skills like reflection, inquiry, and transfer so people get better at getting better.

• Owning the hard parts: reframing career challenges as chapters in a longer growth journey—how authenticity turns setbacks into capability

• Storytelling for impact: crafting narratives that connect learning to outcomes leaders care about—productivity, agility, and client value—so L&D earns attention and investment.

It’s a thoughtful, actionable playbook for anyone leading learning in the real world. Enjoy!

To get in touch with me, Simon Behan, reach out on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected]

At SureSkills, we deliver learning services to the worlds leading technology companies and global organizations.

To learn more, head over to www.SureSkills.com.

Thanks for listening!

What does it take to build a learning culture for 180,000 people?

My guest today is Brian Murphy, Global Head of Learning & Development at NTT DATA. Before this role, Brian led transformational learning at Citi, AstraZeneca, and Microsoft, and he’s known for turning big ideas into practical programs that drive performance.

We get into the real questions L&D teams are wrestling with right now: how do you integrate AI without losing the human, how to develop meta-skills and why do they matter so much right now, and how to keep people engaged while the skills landscape continues to shift under our feet. If you’re trying to deliver learning that actually changes performance— I think this one’s for you.

To get in touch with me, Simon Behan, reach out on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected]

At SureSkills, we deliver learning services to the worlds leading technology companies and global organizations.

To learn more, head over to www.SureSkills.com.

Thanks for listening!

Learn to Grow Shorts – Learnership and the Power of Interdisciplinarity

Welcome to another Learn to Grow Shorts, where I reflect on a topic of particular interest from my most recent conversation—and today I’m looking back on my discussion with Ed Monk, CEO of the Learning and Performance Institute.

Ed shared a concept he’s been thinking deeply about: learnership. It’s not just a skillset—it’s a mindset. A way of leading through learning, rooted in humility, authenticity, and curiosity. I liked this for a couple of reasons.

First, it reframes leadership not as having all the answers, but as being willing to learn alongside your team. It’s about being in the trenches—not removed or above, but shoulder to shoulder. That kind of hands-on, learning-first leadership builds trust and sets the tone for a learning culture.

Second, I see learnership as a form of interdisciplinarity—the ability to take ideas from one domain and apply them creatively to another. And in a world where so much is being automated, that ability is one of the great, uniquely human skills that can't be replaced.

Let me give you a few examples.

Take Velcro. It exists because a Swiss engineer noticed how burrs clung to his dog’s fur on a hike. That spark of curiosity led to a design principle inspired by nature—what we now call biomimicry: the practice of studying and imitating nature’s strategies to solve human problems.

Or think about platforms like Khan Academy or Duolingo. They combine game design with education—levels, challenges, feedback loops—to make learning feel like progress. Gamification has revolutionized learning by making it more active, rewarding, and sticky.

And the most intuitive apps we use today—Spotify, for example—aren’t just built with tech in mind. They’re infused with behavioral science and psychology, designed to feel frictionless and familiar.

These are all examples of how learning across disciplines gives us an edge. And when leaders embrace that mindset—when they see themselves not just as experts but as learners—it unlocks creativity, resilience, and adaptability.

Because the future doesn’t belong to those who know everything. It belongs to those who are willing to keep learning.

On the latest episode of the Learn to Grow Podcast, I welcome back Ed Monk, one of my favorite past guests on the show. Ed is the CEO of the Learning and Performance Institute—a leader who doesn’t just talk about change, he lives it. Ed is known for pushing the boundaries of how we learn, how we lead, and how we make learning truly accessible in a world that’s evolving fast. He’s outspoken, insightful, and I love how he approaches things from a very practical perspective – no jargon, just actionable advice.

We talk about

• Why this is the most exciting time for learning and development
• The concept of “learnership” and why it’s the most important skill for leaders
• What drives Ed’s personal learning practices
• Why we need ‘learn it all’ not ‘know it all’ culture
• How technological changes are impacting young people

To get in touch with me, Simon Behan, reach out on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected]

At SureSkills, we deliver learning services to the worlds leading technology companies and global organizations.

To learn more, head over to www.SureSkills.com.

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to another episode of Learn to Grow shorts, where I reflect on a topic of particular interest from our most recent episode. Last time, I chatted with Ruth Gotian, who’s hard at work on her latest book after the wonderful “Success Factor” made such a splash a couple of years back.

In our conversation we discussed Ruth’s article on Olympian Inbar Lanir who, after being cut from the National Judo team decided to “take herself on as a project”. I found this idea really powerful and inspiring – a pragmatic approach to growth that struck me as an effective response to a setback – I found it admirable that Inbar took the steps to evaluate, to plan, and to commit to getting better, to growing, as an athlete and as a person. Especially at a time when success would have felt like anything but guaranteed.

Most of us are really good at managing projects at work. We make plans, set milestones, get feedback, iterate. But how often do we apply that same level of attention, structure, and curiosity… to ourselves?

This matters—a lot—because the world of work is changing faster than ever. New roles are popping up, old ones are shifting or disappearing, and job descriptions you saw last year might already feel outdated today. If we’re not intentionally reflecting, growing, and repositioning ourselves, we risk getting left behind—or worse, stuck in someone else’s idea of who we’re supposed to be.

So what does it mean to take yourself on as a project?

I think, most importantly, it starts with reflection. An honest appraisal.

Where are you right now—professionally, creatively, personally? What’s working? What’s not?

And believe me, there’s bravery in this kind of honest appraisal – but it’s where real change and growth begins.

Once you’ve taken stock of where you are - then ask: where do you want to be?

What gets you fired up? What excites you—or scares you in the right way just enough to make you curious?

This isn’t about having a 10-year plan. Imagine you had a five year plan at the start of 2020, prior to the pandemic.

It’s about identifying a direction that feels meaningful. Figuring out something you want to move towards. A future version of you that feels more aligned, more awake, more you.

And finally: what steps can you take to bridge that gap?

Maybe it’s learning a new skill, or discarding old habits that no longer serve you. Maybe it’s networking differently, or blocking time each week to build a new creative practice. Whatever it is, you don’t have to overhaul your life in a weekend.

You just have to start.

Here’s the thing – and I think this is important – no one is going to do this for you. You’re the project manager and the project. Which means you get to make the rules. But there is a responsibility involved in that. You have to lead the charge.

So if you’ve been feeling stuck or uncertain—or even just a little restless—consider this your invitation. Take yourself on as a project and start building the next version of you with intention.

Welcome to the SureSkills Learn to Grow Podcast where we discuss the learning landscape with leaders in learning. My guest today is Dr. Ruth Gotian.

Dr. Gotian is the Chief Learning Officer at Weill Cornell Medicine and a highly sought after executive coach and mentor – in fact she’s been named one the Thinkers50 top 50 executive coaches in the world. Dr. Gotian studies and works with elite high achievers, from Nobel Laureates to Astronauts to Olympic athletes, using that knowledge to establish principles anyone can apply to achieve success in their careers and in their daily lives.

We discussed

• how averages can actually be limitations for individuals,
• the power of “taking yourself on as a project”,
• and the importance of an environment audit when it comes to setting and achieving your goals.

This conversation is filled with some great advice and actionable info – enjoy!

Here are links to some of the articles and books we discussed on the episode:

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgotian/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ruthgotian/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ruthgotian/2025/01/21/inbar-lanir-took-herself-on-as-a-projectand-won-olympic-silver/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ruthgotian/2025/01/06/why-those-around-you-can-make-or-break-your-success/

https://ruthgotian.com/books/

To get in touch with me, Simon Behan, reach out on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected]

At SureSkills, we deliver learning services to the worlds leading technology companies and global organizations.

To learn more, head over to www.SureSkills.com.

Thanks for listening!

On the latest episode of the podcast, Microsoft's Karen Kocher implores learners to try something new every day – she cites studies that have shown that even eleven minutes a day over period of eleven weeks was enough to have a significant impact not just on skill development but on learning how to learn more effectively.

In this episode of Learn to Grow Shorts, some thoughts on how we can rediscover the joy of learning and remember to see learning not as a chore but as a kind of adventure!

To get in touch with me, Simon Behan, reach out on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected]

At SureSkills, we deliver learning services to the worlds leading technology companies and global organizations.

To learn more, head over to www.SureSkills.com.

Thanks for listening!

Thrilled to kick off a new wave of episodes of the Learn to Grow Podcast with a very special guest - Karen Kocher, Microsoft’s Global General Manager for the Future of Work, Workforce of the Future, and Employee Experiences.

In this episode, we explore a mindset that is becoming increasingly essential in today’s dynamic work environment—the transition from being a 'know-it-all' to a 'learn-it-all'. Karen, with her extensive experience at the helm of future work strategies, shares why nurturing a culture of continuous learning is pivotal not just for personal growth, but for organizational agility and innovation.

We also dive into the practicalities of challenging ourselves daily, especially through the use of new AI tools. How do these technologies not only change the way we work but also how we learn and adapt in our careers? Karen will share insights on how integrating AI into our daily routines can catalyze learning and transformation.

Moreover, Karen discusses the power of adopting a “how might we” attitude—a mindset focused on possibilities and creative problem-solving. This perspective encourages us to think beyond conventional solutions and to envision what could be, rather than what is.

So, whether you're looking to inspire your team, pivot your career path, or integrate cutting-edge technology into your workday, this conversation will provide you with the insights you need to start thinking differently and embracing the future of work with a learning-oriented mindset.

To get in touch with me, Simon Behan, reach out on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected]

At SureSkills, we deliver learning services to the worlds leading technology companies and global organizations.

To learn more, head over to www.SureSkills.com.

Thanks for listening!

In the next number weeks on the Learn to Grow Podcast, I’ll be outlining my perspective on the “learning landscape”.

I’ll be doing that in 5 (and a half 😊) parts.

First, I outlined three ubiquitous trends that highlight the evolution of workplace learning

Today, in week two, I’ll give real world examples of the need for constant change and reinvention.

In week three, I’ll dispel some myths about AI coming for our jobs and focus on the opportunities in a world where uniquely human skills are king.

In week four, I’ll provide tips (in two parts) on how to become a better learner – something sorely lacking in many conversations about learning in the workplace.

And finally, in the last episode, I’ll make a case for the importance of a learning culture and try to make concrete some words that can be dismissed as woo woo (culture, purpose, gratitude – you know the ones I’m talking about 😊)

Enjoy, and feedback welcome as always!

My latest guest on the Learn to Grow Podcast is Erika Ullmann, Learning and Development Director at Virgin Media Ireland.

Erika is one of the most conscientious L&D leaders I have met, and she is doing incredible work not just providing learning opportunities, but opening peoples eyes to their identities as learners.

In our conversation, we discuss:

• How to align learning with a strategic vision
• The importance of a holistic approach to learning that considers the human at the core
• Why great learners are happy learners
• Why self awareness is the basis of effective learning
• The role of deliberate practice in learning and growth
• The importance of organic (inspirational!) conversations between learners with shared passions
• The evolution of L&D and the need for empathetic leadership

You can find Erika on LinkedIn!

To get in touch with me, Simon Behan, reach out on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected]

At SureSkills, we deliver learning services to the worlds leading technology companies and global organizations.

To learn more, head over to www.SureSkills.com or download this eBook: Foundations of a Successful Learning Experience. 

Thanks for listening!