In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Andy Storch, co-author of Own Your Brand, Own Your Career, to explore why personal branding has become a central tool for career growth.

Andy discusses the workplace shifts that inspired his book and reframes traditional career development, showing how L&D leaders can help employees discover and articulate an authentic professional brand that aligns with both personal values and organisational needs. He unpacks the broader lens of career growth beyond upward mobility - covering lateral moves, reputation, visibility, and the power of storytelling - while offering practical advice on networking, self-advocacy and intentional career moves in today’s job market.

This conversation is a guide for L&D professionals looking to equip employees to take ownership of their careers, measure the impact of brand-and-career development initiatives and balance individual growth with organisational retention. 

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Your personal brand is your reputation. In a world of restructures and layoffs, you can’t wait – build visibility, trust, and a clear story of your value now, so decision-makers know exactly why you’re worth keeping or hiring.

Helping people build their personal brand makes their value visible. When L&D supports employees to show what they’re great at, leaders can spot talent faster, growth feels fairer, and your best people are more likely to see a future and stay.

If networking and personal branding feel cringey, reframe them as relationship building and sharing your learning. You don’t need to perform - just focus on one genuine conversation at a time.

BEST MOMENTS

“In the past, there's been this stigma about spending time on LinkedIn or other platforms, about creating a brand for yourself outside of work, and I've seen a big shift in that.”

“I've seen people go and build great relationships and get jobs from being able to tell their story.”

Andy Storch Bio

Andy Storch is an author, consultant, coach, and speaker focused on helping professionals take ownership of their careers and lives. He is the author of Own Your Career, Own Your Life, a practical guide for people who want to stop drifting and take intentional control of their future.

Andy is the host of multiple podcasts, including The Talent Development Hot Seat, Own Your Career and My NFT Journey, and is the co-founder and host of the Talent Development Think Tank Conference and Community, as well as the Talent Development Virtual Summit. His work includes consulting and teaching strategy, leadership, sales, finance, and innovation for organisations such as Salesforce, Oracle, Google, Toyota, State Farm, Red Bull, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, HP, Sony, Cisco and Tiffany & Co. He holds an MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and a BS from the University of Florida.

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

https://andystorch.com/

Own Your Brand, Own Your Career Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Own-Your-Brand-Career-Accelerates/dp/1736020986

ABOUT THE HOST

David James has been a People Development professional for 20+ years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT

https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Laura Overton and Michelle Ockers, co-authors of the new book The L&D Leader: Principles and Practice for Delivering Business Value.

Together, they explore why the L&D profession must shift from delivering learning to driving business value and how leaders at every stage of their career can navigate this change. Drawing on 20+ years of benchmark data and hundreds of practitioner interviews, Laura and Michelle share their TRY and be BOLD frameworks, the navigation metaphor that underpins their book and practical insights for applying principles rather than clinging to rigid models.

This conversation is a call to action for L&D professionals who want to stop getting stuck in old job descriptions, start tuning into business priorities, and step into their true potential as navigators of change.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

High‑impact L&D leaders act as wayfinders: they co‑create a clear picture of business value with stakeholders, then continuously read signals from the organisation and course‑correct, rather than follow a fixed plan or model.

Instead of chasing the next model or tool, effective L&D is grounded in learning science, fuelled by curiosity and opening up more impactful options than “just another course.”

What really differentiates impactful L&D leaders are their thinking habits: being business‑first, open‑minded, leading and learning, and deliberate – a practical inner compass for bolder, better decisions.

BEST MOMENTS

“The horizon is getting closer to us. The amount of time between a shift and us needing to have people ready for that shift is so tight now that our traditional approaches cannot respond quickly enough.”

“The (traditional) models, can restrict us …. (and) can actually crush people´s ambition.”

“You are a learning change maker.”

Laura Overton Bio

Laura Overton is an award-winning learning analyst, author, and international speaker with over 30 years of experience in the learning industry. Best known as the founder of Towards Maturity, Laura led 15 years of research exploring how learning innovation drives business value, working with thousands of L&D leaders worldwide. Today, Laura continues to champion evidence-based practice, helping learning professionals move beyond models and frameworks to embrace principles that unlock real business impact.

Michelle Ockers Bio

Michelle Ockers is a respected workplace learning strategist, speaker, and podcaster. With a background that spans the Royal Australian Air Force, corporate leadership roles and global consulting, Michelle has a reputation for helping organisations modernise learning and build business-ready capabilities. Michelle is the host of the Learning Uncut podcast, where she shares real-world stories of L&D in action. Her work brings together evidence, practice, and community to support learning leaders in navigating complexity with confidence.

LINKS

The L&D Leader Book: https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/the-l-d-leader-9781398620278

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

https://learninguncut.global/

https://learninguncut.global/podcast/

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

https://learningchangemakers.com/

VALUABLE RESOURCES

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

CONTACT METHOD 

 https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this special live AI edition of the Learning & Development Podcast, David James brings together Egle Vinauskaite, Ross Stevenson, and Peter Manniche Riber for a candid, practical conversation about what AI really means for L&D today. The discussion explores the gap between hype and reality, the tools and applications that are starting to make a meaningful difference and how AI is already being used to improve performance, capability, and skills development.

The panel examines what L&D teams are getting right, where major opportunities are being missed and the challenges slowing progress, from security and capability constraints to mindset and organisational conservatism. They also look ahead to how AI could reshape the way L&D operates and how the function is perceived across the business.

A clear, grounded and insight-rich conversation for L&D professionals wanting to understand where AI can drive genuine value.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

AI frees up time and has the capabilities to enable L&D to move beyond courses into solving business problems and improving performance and capability. Real-world examples are shared.

AI strategy can’t sit with L&D alone; a multidisciplinary, business-driven group must shape it.

To stay relevant, L&D needs commercial acumen and tech curiosity, alongside human strengths like storytelling, influence, and relationship‑building.

BEST MOMENTS

“Too many are just bolting AI onto an existing model, rather than stepping back and saying, does that model still serve us today? ”

“We know that content does not equal skills.”

“What we really need to do is to target effectiveness. We need to solve the problem.”

Egle Vinauskaite

Egle Vinauskaite is a learning, behaviour, and technology specialist who works with global enterprises and emerging edtech innovators. With a background across AI, XR, mobile learning, and digital platforms, she brings a sharp perspective on how technology is reshaping organisational learning and the future of work. As both advisor and researcher, she helps L&D teams integrate AI into their operations and equip workforces with the skills needed for effective adoption.

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

http://nodes.works

The Race for Impact report: https://donaldhtaylor.co.uk/research_base/focus04-race-for-impact

Ross Stevenson

Ross is a leading voice in the global L&D community, known for his practical, no-nonsense approach to modern learning. Through his writing, speaking and community platform Steal These Thoughts, he explores how organisations can better align learning with performance, develop essential skills, and embrace new technologies - including AI. Ross brings a strategic yet pragmatic perspective on how L&D teams can evolve and remain relevant in an age of rapid technological change.

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

www.stealthesethoughts.com

Peter Manniche Riber

Peter is an experienced L&D leader who until recently served as Head of New Tech, Digital Learning Solutions at Novo Nordisk, transforming HR and learning for a global workforce of 70,000+. Passionate about using technology to simplify and enhance learning, he experiments with generative AI, machine learning, adaptive platforms, and data-driven methods to deliver timely, effective solutions. With a strong foundation in team leadership and human-centric design, Peter helps organisations solve business challenges through technology while driving meaningful collaboration and measurable impact.

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

RESOURCES

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

HOST CONTACT

https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Recorded live at The Learning Conference in Stockholm, David is joined by Elliott Masie, Bob Mosher and Jennifer Florido to explore the forces reshaping workplace learning. From lasting shifts versus failed fads, to performance-first strategies, AI’s real impact, and rising stakeholder expectations, the panel cuts through the noise to share what matters most for L&D leaders right now.

Packed with bold predictions and practical advice from three of the field’s most influential voices, this live episode captures the energy of where L&D is heading next.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

L&D must evolve its methodologies from delivering “learning” to enabling performance—shifting focus from courses and content to real‑time support, experimentation, and impact on workflow and business performance.

Chase fewer “shiny penny” technologies and treat AI as a useful tool only when it’s anchored in real workflow performance.

L&D’s own risk aversion is now one of the biggest barriers to shifting from training to true performance.

BEST MOMENTS

“Only around 25% of L&D teams are involved in their company's skill strategy. I think that speaks to we're not relied upon.”

“Branding and wording matters, when we try to explain what we do and get the buy in for what we do.”

“There is a really important role for L&D at coordinating this and working on behalf of the organisation to future proof, it for skills tomorrow.”

Elliott Masie

Elliott Masie is an internationally recognised futurist, analyst, and learning advocate whose work has shaped the profession for more than four decades. Founder of The MASIE Center, he has been at the forefront of innovations from CBTs and LMSs to MOOCs, VR, and now AI. He also created the long-running Learning conference series, bringing leaders together to explore how workplace learning must evolve. With his trademark mix of curiosity, candour, and foresight, Elliott challenges L&D professionals to question assumptions and embrace the future with confidence.

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

https://masie.com/

Bob Mosher

Bob Mosher is a pioneering voice in workplace learning, best known for championing performance-first approaches that put support in the flow of work at the centre of L&D. With decades of experience advising global organisations, he has helped leaders move beyond traditional training to solutions that deliver measurable impact where and when employees need it most. As Chief Learning Evangelist at APPLY Synergies, Bob continues to shape how organisations think about workflow learning, change management, and scalable performance support, earning a reputation as one of the most trusted figures in modern L&D.

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

https://applysynergies.com/

Jennifer Florido

Jennifer Florido is Group Head of Talent & Growth at Telia Company, leading strategy to develop, engage and enable talent across one of the Nordics’ largest telecommunications providers. With experience in leadership development, organisational growth and workforce transformation, she brings a practical, business-focused view of how L&D can drive measurable impact. Jennifer is passionate about creating environments where employees can thrive, adapt and grow, aligning learning with both performance and culture.

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

VALUABLE RESOURCES

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

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

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

As AI reshapes the world of work, Learning and Development faces a defining moment. Will the profession double down on creating faster training or finally step up as a true driver of performance?

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Bob Mosher - Chief Learning Evangelist at APPLY Synergies and one of the world’s foremost advocates for workflow learning. Together, they explore why L&D’s obsession with “shiny pennies” and new delivery modes risks missing the real opportunity AI presents: to transform how people perform on the job, not just how they learn.

Bob shares why the long-standing cycle of “stakeholders ask for training, L&D delivers it” is more dangerous than ever, what it really means to become a performance architect, and how workflow learning lays the foundation for L&D to stay indispensable in an AI-powered world.

If you’re serious about shifting your team’s focus from learning outputs to business outcomes - and using AI to elevate performance where it matters most - this episode is essential listening.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

If L&D keeps focusing on creating training faster rather than addressing performance, they will be left out of the conversation.

Embracing technology is essential. But don´t simply do what you are doing now, only faster.  Demonstrate to your organisation that these tools enable you to go beyond training and enhance performance.

Courage and leadership are required to break old habits and proactively guide organizations through disruptive change, even when it's uncomfortable. Bob shares how to have those conversations.

BEST MOMENTS

“We have to move beyond this training, learning deliverable mindset, to performance and productivity.”

“Don´t confuse busy with relevance.. .that´s the danger of perceiving our value by the ask, or how many people are at the door.”

“We have to be able to be seen as that learning professional, that performance professional and not the L&D department that we all know.”

“I´ve been at this, 43 years. I've never seen anything as disruptive as this.”

Bob Mosher BioBob Mosher is Chief Learning Evangelist at APPLY Synergies and a pioneering voice in workplace learning with over 30 years of experience helping organisations drive measurable performance. A co-creator of the Five Moments of Need® framework, Bob has spent decades challenging traditional training models and championing workflow learning - an approach that supports employees at the point of need, not just in the classroom.

Before founding APPLY Synergies, Bob served as Global Chief Learning Strategist for Microsoft, where he helped redefine how the company enabled performance at scale. Today, he works with global organisations to implement learning strategies that close the gap between learning and doing.

Renowned for his candor, practicality, and unwavering focus on business results, Bob continues to shape the conversation about what truly effective learning looks like in the AI era.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmosher/https://applysynergies.com/

VALUABLE RESOURCES

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

https://360learning.com/blog

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Craig Friedman, author of Enterprise Skills Unlocked, joins David to explore what it really means to build a skills-based organisation, and why now is the critical moment for change.

Together, they unpack the macro forces reshaping work, the difference between skills-based and role-based approaches, and the most compelling business cases driving adoption. Craig shares where organisations should start, the role (and pitfalls) of technology, and how governance and measurement come into play when scaling globally.

He also offers practical advice for leaders feeling overwhelmed by the scale of transformation, with clear steps to move from ideas to action. If you’re curious about how skills can unlock new ways to manage, develop, and empower talent, this episode is essential listening.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

It is now possible to manage and develop skills at a truly granular level, enabling real-time, targeted learning pathways tailored to each employee or business need instead of just for broad roles.

An integrated ecosystem of HR technology - including talent marketplaces, skills intelligence tools, and performance and learning management systems - enables true skills-based talent management. You can match the right person to the right project or task, instantly and precisely.

To have real impact, organizations must ground skills initiatives in urgent business objectives.

BEST MOMENTS

“This is a technology driven HR transformation, essentially …. we have access to a new level of skills data that we actually can manage.”

“It shifts talent from being a headcount management exercise to a capability management exercise, a giant step closer to business alignment.”

“No matter what anybody tells you, there is no one system that does it all.”

Craig Friedman

Craig Friedman has 30 years of experience as a human capital and talent advisor, executive, and entrepreneur. He specializes in skills-based talent strategies, learning operating models, change management, and performance consulting. A Senior Talent Strategist at St. Charles Consulting Group, Craig partners with CHROs and CLOs to align global talent strategies, supporting Fortune 500 companies and four of the five largest professional services firms.  

He spent 15 years at Deloitte, leading talent development for the U.S. Tax practice and earning several national and international learning awards. Craig also co-led Deloitte’s clinician change adoption practice and helped establish corporate universities for regional health systems. 

Craig’s background includes launching two eLearning start-ups and earning two U.S. patents for innovations in online education. He holds an M.A. in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University and dual undergraduate degrees from Tufts University in Human Factors Engineering and English.  Craig is the author of the new book Enterprise Skills Unlocked: A Blueprint for Building a Skills-Based Organization. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-w-friedman-8950841

Book: https://stccg.com/enterprise-skills-unlocked-2/

[email protected]

https://stccg.com/

HOST RESOURCES

https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

L&D Master Class: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

L&D has long carried the “hangover” of legacy expectations: delivering courses, creating content, and measuring completions. But in 2025, those skills won’t cut it - and they could even put the profession at risk of being replaced by AI.

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Candice Mitchell - consultant, founder of the Talent Development Academy, and researcher into L&D’s future skills - to explore the next chapter for L&D. Together, they unpack the critical capabilities every practitioner needs now: from business acumen and consulting skills to the human strengths that AI can’t replicate.

Candice also shares her Impact Toolkit and five-spoke model for reframing the role of L&D, plus practical advice for professionals who feel stuck as reactive order-takers. If you want to move beyond legacy expectations and position yourself as a true business partner, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Businesses have to let go of the training course “comfort blanket”. Now, we need strategic skills development.

Teams that do not change will be replaced by AI.

AI skills will soon be standard. The human capabilities you bring beyond technology will set you apart.

Candice’s Impact Toolkit equips you to transition from order taker to strategic partner.

BEST MOMENTS

“Smart businesspeople just won’t let go of the comfort blanket.”

“We are good at delivering courses, at training people… but now we need to do the hard things so that we can stay relevant.”

Candice Mitchell 

With nearly 20 years in the field, Candice has worked both as a corporate L&D leader and as a consultant to global organisations, designing capability strategies that go far beyond “training delivery.”

Candice is a consultant, educator, and founder of the Talent Development Academy, where she helps mid-to-senior L&D professionals develop the skills needed to drive real business impact. Her Master’s research explored the skills L&D professionals must build to stay relevant in an AI-integrated workplace - concluding that while AI literacy is table stakes, it’s human and strategic capabilities that will define the future of the profession. Known for her optimism, candour, and practical frameworks, Candice is passionate about helping L&D break free from legacy expectations and step confidently into a more impactful role.

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

https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT THE HOST

David James has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT

 https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

 https://360learning.com/blog

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Egle Vinauskaite joins David to discuss the very latest AI in L&D report, The Race for Impact, and why L&D is at a pivotal moment.

They explore the shift from AI experimentation to implementation, the barriers holding teams back, and the new models of impact outlined in her “Transformation Triangle.” With case studies from Leyton and TTEC, Egle shows how L&D can move beyond content creation to workforce enablement and lasting business value.

If you want to understand how L&D can harness AI, adapt with confidence, and stay relevant in a fast-changing landscape, this episode is essential listening.

Get Ready For What Comes Next

L&D isn't ready for what's next, but you will be - the L&D Performance Academy is a free 9 course certification that gives you the playbook to stay essential in the age of AI agents and rising expectations.

Learn how to align learning with business goals, measure real impact and lead with confidence alongside a global community of L&D pros.

Don't just ask for a seat at the table, show up with the agenda – enrol here - https://bit.ly/488gT5w

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Standing still in today’s landscape is risky, L&D needs to go beyond producing content and become an indispensable partner in workforce performance.

Egel shares and explains the 3 future models L&D can use to evolve and become invaluable within their business - Skills Authority, Enablement Partner, and Adaptation Engine.

Not adopting AI is becoming a career-limiting risk for L&D professionals. Your performance is likely to be defined by whether and how you work with AI.

BEST MOMENTS

“L&D can move beyond content creation, embrace new models of impact and position itself as an indispensable partner in the workforce.”

"L&D can't stay a content producer or it will disappear"

"First understand your starting point, what does the business come to you for? What is your value add? "

Egle Vinauskaite Bio

Egle Vinauskaite brings extensive expertise in learning, behaviour, and technology, working with both global enterprises and emerging edtech innovators. Her background spans AI, XR, mobile learning, digital platforms, and blended learning design, giving her a unique perspective on how technology is reshaping organisational learning and the future of work. As both an advisor and researcher, she helps L&D teams integrate AI into their operations and prepare workforces with the skills needed for effective adoption. Blending rigorous research with hands-on application, Egle has a sharp view of how AI is redefining the role of L&D and creating new possibilities for learning in the workplace.

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

http://nodes.works

The Race for Impact report: https://donaldhtaylor.co.uk/research_base/focus04-race-for-impact

VALUABLE RESOURCES

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT THE HOST

David James

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.

CONTACT METHOD

https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

https://360learning.com/blog

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Too often, Learning and Development professionals find themselves reacting to requests, churning out courses, and struggling to prove their value. In this episode, Jess Almlie—L&D leader and author of L&D Order Taker No More—shares how L&D teams can stop spinning their wheels and start stepping into a more strategic, credible role.

Drawing from her 20+ years of experience and the insights in her new book, Jess unpacks why L&D gets stuck, how legacy thinking from stakeholders holds us back, and what it takes to shift from service provider to business partner. She introduces tools like the "Order Taker Assessment," the power of building a vision, and the role of strategic playbooks in aligning stakeholders across the business.

Jess also explores the reality of organisational politics, the importance of truly understanding your business, and the small, intentional steps that help L&D earn trust and influence over time.

For anyone who’s tired of being reactive and wants to build a more impactful L&D function—this episode offers both validation and a clear path forward.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Moving from being order takers to true business partners means saying no to low-impact requests and focusing on work that drives organisational goals.

L&D needs to get off of the content creation hamster wheel.

Navigating organizational politics, the “unwritten rules” of how work gets done, is essential, not optional.

Operate with integrity and savvy, not naivety or ego.

BEST MOMENTS

“If you stand in one place on the beach and apply gentle pressure with your foot and slowly massage the sand, eventually you create a deep indent.”

"We need to operate as if we are a part of the business, not as separate.”

“This is a mindset and cultural shift for the entire organisation about how to work with L&D.”

Jess Almlie Bio

Jess Almlie is a seasoned Learning and Development leader, consultant, speaker, and author of L&D Order Taker No More. With over two decades of experience across sectors including healthcare, education, and financial services, Jess has led enterprise learning strategies that focus on business alignment, stakeholder engagement, and measurable impact. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Learning Experience at WEX.

Drawing on her own journey from instructional designer to senior L&D executive, Jess helps practitioners diagnose the factors keeping them stuck and take deliberate steps toward becoming strategic business partners. Her work blends deep organisational insight with practical tools - like assessments, playbooks, and stakeholder mapping - to help L&D teams earn influence and deliver real value.

Jess is helping to reshape what it means to be effective in L&D today - moving beyond reactivity to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

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

L&D Must Change Podcast: https://www.jessalmlie.com/podcast

Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Order-Taker-No-More-Strategic-ebook/dp/B0F83XBBCV

VALUABLE RESOURCES

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT DAVID JAMES

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.

https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

https://360learning.com/blog

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Kevin Yates - widely known as the L&D Detective® - joins David to explore why measuring impact remains one of the most persistent challenges in Learning & Development, and how L&D can finally start getting it right.

Together, they unpack why reporting on learning activity isn’t enough, what it really means to uncover evidence of performance impact, and how L&D must evolve to contribute meaningfully within the wider performance ecosystem. Kevin outlines the flaws in traditional training needs analysis, introduces his Workplace Performance Investigation Framework, and explains how business metrics—not LMS data—must become the cornerstone of meaningful measurement.

Kevin also shares how L&D teams can use tools like the Performance Impact Blueprint and Instructional Design for Performance to plan for outcomes from the outset, and why embracing the identity of ‘impact investigators’ is critical for L&D’s future. If you’re serious about proving learning’s contribution to business performance, this episode is unmissable.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The "village" approach is central to performance. L&D should measure collective, not isolated, impact.

LMS data is easy to get, but it does not truly measure the impact on business performance.

The 6 questions for business performance and 6 for human performance, in the framework, uncover the true needs behind a training request.

Because improving performance involves many teams, a project management approach helps organize everyone’s roles, tasks, and contributions toward a shared business goal.

BEST MOMENTS

“It takes a village to impact workplace performance."

“We must define impact. Before we can investigate it.”

"Designing for performance is very different than designing for training."

Kevin M. Yates Bio

Kevin M. Yates is globally recognised as the L&D Detective®, known for investigating the impact of training and learning on workplace performance. With over 25 years of experience across major brands like McDonald’s, Meta, and Grant Thornton, Kevin brings a practical, data-driven approach to measuring learning’s contribution to business results. His work empowers L&D teams to go beyond activity metrics and uncover real evidence of performance impact. Kevin is also the founder of Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit tackling food insecurity with the same focus on measurable outcomes.

You can follow and connect with Kevin via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmyates/

Book: https://kevinmyates.com/detective-kit

Website: https://kevinmyates.com/

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT THE HOST

David James

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.

CONTACT METHOD

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin

L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

Blog: https://360learning.com/blog

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/