The Assembly

This episode features Ket Patel, the founder of Change Agitators and a Change Management Institute Accredited Master Change Practitioner. With over 20 years of experience helping organisations as they scale, grow and modernise, Ket chats with Adam on how to support others through change and how to not be victim to organisational change. 

Adam and Ket discuss how to build the capacity to handle these shifts and confront change head-on. They’ll explore tools to reframe the problem, creating the space needed to engage teams authentically and lean into the conflict of change. This is where the path to a nimble, adaptable organisation begins. 

Note: This episode is taken from a recorded webinar. You can watch the full webinar here: [Insert link to AY website with webinar on it] 

Connect with Ket on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ketpatel-changeagitator/

Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with John Hinchliffe of Emirates NBD.

John is a digital learning expert recognised as a Top 30 thought leader in the eLearning Industry in 2022 and 2023 and was the youngest recipient of the LPI Colin Corder award for outstanding contribution to learning. John is the Digital Learning Experience Manager at the banking group Emirates NBD. 

John founded the Global Learning and Development Community, which now boasts over 2,000 members and has recently launched LD MENA, an L&D focused network supporting the MENA region.

In this episode, John talks Adam through how to grow and manage an L&D Community. John covers the highs and lows of organisation a community of likeminded individuals, including:

1. Practical tips to grow your own community
2. How to lead with enthusiasm 
3. Finding your structure to facilitate real connections
4. Trusting the process when growing a network from scratch

John gives practical advice on how to build and manage learning communities and highlights the common challenges of growing and maintaining these networks. If you are looking to build your own network, this is a must-listen-to episode. 

Connect with John on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hinchliffe-yourskillshub/ 

And check out LD MENA: ldmena.com. 

Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this fantastic episode, Adam chats with Wali Rahman of the Forestry Commission. 

Wali is the Diversity and Wellbeing Manager at the Forestry Commission, with over 18 years of experience in higher education, Local Government, and the Civil Service. 

Wali has pioneered diversity initiatives, including Wiltshire’s first Prevent Officer role and diversity training for over 700 individuals across multiple sectors. He co-founded a community group that successfully campaigned against extremism, recently graduated from the Stepping Up Diversity Leadership programme, and, in 2023, was recognised as one of the Top 50 most influential Muslims in Europe.

In this episode, Wali and Adam discuss: 

1. Data-driven diversity and inclusion
2. Maintaining a growth mindset in DEI 
3. How to embed DEI and well-being practices across your organisation
4. Reciprocal mentoring

Wali provides excellent insights  into the landscape of DEI today and provides practical tips into managing well-being and being an advocate for diversity in your organisation. If you’re looking to bolster inclusion in your own community, this is the episode for you. 

Connect with Wali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walirahman/

Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this great episode, Adam chats with Neil Cunningham.

Neil began his career in acting before transitioning into sales. He then moved from sales to training, where he built an L&D program for new hires. 

This led him to a career in Learning and Development, where he finds passion in measuring the impact that L&D has on an organisation. Founding Align Learn Do, Neil works to help others build world-class L&D solutions and is on the Board of Directors for The Learning Network.

Adam and Neil Discuss: 

1. Telling a story with data
2. Measuring ROI using data and desire to change 
3. AI to support and not replace humans
4. Challenges in measuring soft skills 

Connect with Neil on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiljohncunningham/

and check out his website Alignlearndo.com

You can purchase Neil's book Narrative and Numbers: Proving L&D’s value in 7 steps on his website Alignlearndo.com. Listeners get 10% off with code challenge10

Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this fantastic interview, Adam sits down with Fred Thompson of Thirst. 

As a seasoned learning and development expert and CEO of Thirst, with over two decades of experience helping businesses create learning environments that level up learner engagement, Fred offers his insights on transforming L&D through skills-led practices. 

Fred has spearheaded numerous L&D initiatives that have empowered employees to learn and develop in the most intuitive way possible. He also provides invaluable insights into the latest learning technologies and trends to countless organisations looking to turbocharge their learning cultures with game-changing learning platforms.

In this episode, Fred and Adam discuss: 

1. Transforming into a digital-led organisation 
2. Understanding the L&D space and understanding technology in the L&D space
3. Vision vowels: Analyse, Engage, Implement, Optimise, Unite
4. Clear cut ways to implement digital transformation in your business
5. Developing a learner-led culture 

Connect with Fred on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-thompson/ and check out his website: https://fredthompson.co.uk/ and Thirst's website http://Thirst.io

Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this bonus episode, Adam and Ruth explore three of the nine leadership lessons Ruth has drawn from interviewing many CEOs and Managing Directors across the UK: Develop a Clear Intention, Actively Manage Yourself, and Deepen Your Listening Skills. These are lessons which culminated in her book, Next Level Leadership (also an Amazon bestseller).

Adam and Ruth look at why these different leadership skills are so important, talk through some stories and lessons from Ruths extensive interviews with CEOs and business leaders, and then examine the lessons we can take from those lessons.

Note: This episode is taken from a recorded webinar. You can watch the full webinar here: https://www.assembleyou.com/post/next-level-leadership-with-adam-and-ruth

Connect with Ruth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthfarenga/ and purchase her book Next Level Leadership here: https://www.consciousleaders.org.uk/next-level-leadership-book

Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn 

In this fun interview, Shawn Jensen and Mallory Glessner chat with Adam about their experience at, Trainual, a cloud-based training, onboarding and SOP platform. 

Mallory is the Manager of Content and Product Marketing at Trainual and currently specialises in process improvement, project management, and fostering positive workplace cultures. Shawn is the Senior Success Coach at Trainual, passionate about creating effective learning environments and coaching individuals and groups in programs, products, business strategies, customer service, team building, and staff development. 

In their work at Trainual and as co-hosts of their podcast Inside the process, Shawn and Mallory share their insights exploring the best business practices for effective document and creating captivating content.

In this episode, Shawn, Mallory, and Adam discuss: 

1. How to leave room for creative flair when building and managing your processes.
2. Leveraging AI to create a consistent and efficient onboarding experience. 
3. How to ACE training content and policy creation by making it Accessible, Clear, and Engaging.
4. Implementing Instructional design to build and transform content into effective training content.

Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnjensentrainer/

Connect with Mallory on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malloryglessner/

Their podcast Inside the Process: http://trainual.com/insidetheprocess

The Complete Guide to Process Documentation and Process Improvement (with Templates): https://trainual.com/manual/complete-guide-to-process-documentation-and-process-improvement-templates

How to Improve a Process: https://trainual.com/template/how-to-improve-a-process

How to Document a Process: https://trainual.com/template/how-to-document-a-process

Super Awesome Training Design: https://trainual-2022-brasshands.webflow.io/webinar/super-awesome-training-design

How to Transform Processes into Engaging Employee Training: https://trainual.com/manual/how-to-transform-processes-into-engaging-employee-training

Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this brilliant interview, Adam speaks with Matt Jones, Head of Talent at nonbank specialist mortgage lender Pepper Money, responsible for L&D and recruitment. 

With 20 years of experience as an L&D professional, he champions continuous learning and a people-centric approach to business through his work at Pepper Money and by delivering talks on neurodiversity. Holding a law degree and a PGCE in adult education, Matt is skilled in coaching and helping others develop themselves in soft skills, team building, and identifying creative solutions.

In this episode, Adam and Matt discuss:

1. Building a L&D in your organisation from scratch.
2. Providing support and adapting to change.
3. Shifting Learning from a facilitator-led to a learner-led model.
4. Creating reactive and proactive mental health initiatives. 
5. Providing personalised support to create future leaders.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-jones-955989108/

In this exciting interview, Adam speaks with Avinash Chandarana, a learning strategist and proven leader in global workplace learning and performance. 

He is an innovative and passionate leader in the L&D space. He integrates AI into learning strategies to create personalised learner experiences on a global level. A fellow at the Learning and Performance Institute and current Learning and Development Director for MCI Group, Avinash is pushing the boundaries in L&D to create high-quality learning trajectories using various AI and other technologies. 

In this episode, Adam and Avinash discuss:

1. Aligning L&D strategy with a wider vision and goal.
2. Integrating technology and decentralising power in L&D.
3. Implementing various branding and marketing methods in L&D initiatives.
4. Adapting to budget constraints and organisational changes.
5. The future of AI in L&D.

Connect with Avinash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avinashc/

In this exciting interview, Adam speaks Phil Yetzes, L&D Lead in the Nuclear Business Unit at Morgan Sindall. 

He is passionate about leadership development and has crafted bespoke programs for senior executives and trained managers in effective communication and change management.

In this episode, Adam and Phil discuss: 

1. The importance of psychological safety in L&D initiatives. 
2. Training the next generation of workers and filling the skills gaps. 
3. The benefits of implementing coaching into the workplace. 
4. Training people to be brilliant people managers. 
5. The challenges of implementing training in a fast growing organisation. 

Connect with Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillyetzes/