In this episode, Becky Willis joins David to explore the increasingly crowded world of learning platforms—from the evolution of LXPs to the challenge of aligning stakeholders with vastly different needs. Together, they tackle what’s hot (and what’s not) in the market right now, why so many organisations are still unhappy with their chosen platforms, and how L&D teams can start with strategy, not software.

Becky also shares her insights on building tech ecosystems that support collaborative learning, the realistic role of AI in platforms, and what impact should really look like. If you’re rethinking your learning tech stack for 2025—or wondering how to finally make yours work—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

Choose learning technologies that deliver real impact, not just content

Outdated LMS seriously hinders growth.

Invest in modern digital learning platforms that offer a mix of capabilities, with a focus on skills, social networking, groups, chat bots and AI-powered personalization.

You to be able to easily access and analyse your data, including how people are using the platform.

Get the buy-in of stakeholders.

You need a clear organizational strategy to guide your purchasing decision.

The tech has to be user-friendly.

Focus on organisational outcomes rather than platform features.

BEST MOMENTS

"Do you want a dinosaur to run your system on? Or a race car?"

“It's not about course management, it's about strategy. It's about achieving your goals, it´s about business impact."

"It has AI at its core; it's not AI that's been bolted on."

"We have to come up with better answers and have a better conversation than we're having."

Becky Willis

Becky Willis is a founder and chief learning officer at Tractus Learning. She helps guide Tractus customers to implement successful digital learning. She is also the founder of WillLearn Consulting, where she helps companies plan, design, and develop high-performance digital learning ecosystems. Previously, she was the vice president of engagement at EdCast and led learning innovation at Hewlett Packard.

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

Website: https://tractuslearning.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/

Traditional L&D teams often struggle to prove their value—but at Comcast, Martha Soehren built a Talent Development function that drove measurable business impact at scale.

In this episode, Martha shares how her team aligned with strategic priorities, built trusted stakeholder relationships, and embedded governance to keep L&D at the heart of business conversations. She also explains how data, storytelling, and a focus on succession planning helped elevate the function’s credibility across the organisation.

Packed with hard-won insights from leading L&D in one of the world’s largest companies, this episode is essential listening for L&D leaders ready to lead with influence and impact.

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

Build strategic alignment through an executive learning council.

Design learning solutions with clear business metric analysis incorporated.

For impact, use data in your storytelling.

Once you get senior executives on side they will stand up for you when you are not at the table.

At all levels, people should mentor others and develop talent.

BEST MOMENTS

"You can never over communicate to those senior executives."

“By having that data and telling the story of the way things were being done, I got a lot of buy in."

"Care about your people and the people around you, get the job done and do it right, and always act with integrity."

Martha Soehren Bio

Martha Soehren is the former Chief Talent Development Officer and SVP at Comcast Cable, where she led enterprise-wide learning and talent initiatives for nearly 15 years. With a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a background that spans 25 years in the U.S. Army, Martha brings deep expertise in instructional design, workforce planning, and organisational effectiveness to her corporate roles.

She has served on numerous boards, including ATD, the Wharton/UPenn Doctorate of Learning Advisory Board, and SCTE, and is a recognized industry leader—named one of CableFax’s Most Powerful Women in Cable and a recipient of the WICT Liberty Award. Martha continues to contribute to the field through thought leadership, mentoring, and active participation in the Elliott Masie Learning Consortium.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-soehren-phd-a012074/

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

https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

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/

In this special live episode recorded with a virtual audience, host David James is joined by an all-star panel of Learning & Development leaders - Laura Overton, Donald Clark, and Gemma Paterson - for a dynamic conversation on the future of workplace learning.

Together, they explore:

Whether "Learning & Development" is the wrong name for the profession.

The growing shift from learning-centric to performance-focused strategies—and why this remains a point of contention.

How AI is transforming productivity and reshaping L&D approaches.

Real-life examples of how leading organizations are navigating this evolution.

This episode pulls no punches as it challenges long-held assumptions in L&D and sparks essential questions about the direction of the profession. Tune in for sharp insights, bold ideas, and practical takeaways from some of the most influential voices in the field.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Focus on intentional impact rather than just delivering courses

Ask stakeholders “what are you trying to change?”

Seek out the ultra-keen or those who are desperate for change.

Stop worrying about the ethics of using AI, it´s an effective productivity tool, so use it.

L&D needs to have the tough conversations.

BEST MOMENTS

“The word learning has turned into a noun rather than a process.”

“Intentional impact is the thing that really drives me.”

"That AI on the sly thing, it´s not enough.”

"If you still call yourself L&D in 5 years ... you're defining yourself as sort of milky weak."

GUESTS

Laura Overton

Laura is an award-winning L&D analyst and co-author of Evidence-Informed Learning Design. As the founder of Towards Maturity and a champion of research-led practice, Laura has spent her career helping organizations unlock the potential of workplace learning through data, insight, and innovation.

Donald Clark

Donald is a learning technology entrepreneur, author, and advocate for the use of AI in education. With decades of experience in digital learning, he is the CEO of Wildfire Learning and a former CEO and founder of Epic Group. He is known for his bold perspectives on the future of learning, captured in his books like Artificial Intelligence for Learning and his influential blog.

Gemma Paterson

Gemma is Head of Culture Innovation at Lloyds Banking Group, where she leads work that reimagines how culture, learning, and innovation intersect in large organizations. With a background in digital learning and organizational development, Gemma is passionate about creating environments that foster curiosity, collaboration, and meaningful change at scale.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of 1000s 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

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

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/

How do you continuously reinvent L&D while working with the same stakeholders and navigating constant change? In this episode, Avinash Chadarana, Global Learning & Development Director at MCI Group, shares the realities of leading L&D over the long haul—building from scratch, overcoming challenges like budget cuts and COVID, and evolving with a geographically dispersed remote team.

We dive into the biggest shifts in L&D over the past few decades, the ongoing challenge of moving stakeholders beyond just training requests, and how AI is shaping the future of workforce development. Avinash also shares his principles for staying relevant and ensuring his team does the same.

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

BEST MOMENTS

“Lead by outcomes, not by hours logged.”

“See what's coming up and stop being in reactive mode.”

“With AI we have gone past that point of fetishization or it being novel. We're hearing actual success stories.”

GUEST BIO

Avinash Chandarana is a visionary global L&D leader with over 25 years of experience shaping workplace learning. As Global Learning & Development Director at MCI Group - a leading global engagement and marketing agency - he founded the MCI Institute in 2008, transforming employee development for 2,500 staff across 60 offices in 31 countries.

A recognised Fellow of the Learning & Performance Institute (LPI), Avinash combines human-centred design with cutting-edge technology, including AI, to optimise learning experiences and drive business impact. A true global nomad, his career spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with successful projects in 33+ countries. Beyond leading L&D, he is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and moderator, holding credentials from MIT Sloan and INSEAD in neuroscience, leadership, and management.

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

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

 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/

L&D has long been focused on behaviour change—but what if that’s the wrong goal? In this episode, Carl Binder challenges conventional wisdom and makes the case for shifting our focus from behaviours to work outputs—the measurable accomplishments that drive business results.

Carl explains why this approach is more effective, how L&D teams can correctly identify and measure accomplishments, and what it takes to implement this thinking at scale. He also shares practical strategies for redesigning onboarding, leveraging non-training interventions, and aligning managers to focus on performance outcomes rather than just competency models.

For L&D professionals looking to elevate their impact, this conversation offers a roadmap to making learning more business-critical, measurable, and effective.

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

• When you focus on results, L&D delivers.
• There is no incompatibility with focusing on work outputs and changing behaviours, one leads to the other.
• Competency models are too subjective.
• The relationship between organizational results, outputs and behaviour is dynamic.
• When managers focus on what needs to be produced, providing feedback to change behaviours is easier.
• Each individual should have a performance map.
• Ask yourself if this training were successful what is it that I expect the participants to be able to produce? Stop asking what skills they will learn. This simple change in language is powerful.
• Fully map your processes.
• Use the Six Boxes® model.

BEST MOMENTS

“Figure out the purpose before you define the behaviour.”

“Don´t just spray and pray.”

“Behaviour might change but accomplishments are typically more stable.”

“There is a “the emperor has no clothes” problem here.”

Carl Binder Bio

Carl Binder is a leading expert in performance improvement and the founder of The Performance Thinking Network. With a background in behavioural psychology and decades of experience in organisational learning, he has helped businesses worldwide shift their focus from behaviour change to measurable work accomplishments. Originally a student of B.F. Skinner, Carl has applied behavioural science to real-world business challenges, developing practical frameworks for performance mapping, onboarding, and enterprise-wide capability building. His work empowers L&D and business leaders to drive tangible results by focusing on what truly matters—performance outcomes.

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

http://www.performancethinking.com/

YouTube Channel (“Performance Improvement Insights”): www.PerformanceThinking.tv

Study Guides for YouTube webinars: https://bit.ly/CarlStudyGuides 

- Fluency Based instruction research and applications: www.Fluency.org

- Performance Consulting certification program (“Performance Thinking® Practitioner Program):  https://www.sixboxes.com/Virtual-Practitioner-Program.html

CONTACT DAVID

• 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/

Traditional L&D strategies rely too much on hope. Hope that training will stick, hope that stakeholders will engage, and hope that impact will follow. But as Dani Johnson of RedThread Research explains in this episode, hope isn’t a plan.

Drawing on insights from the latest report, Dani outlines why L&D’s influence in strategic business discussions is declining - and what leaders must do to reverse the trend. She breaks down the five essential elements of a progressive L&D strategy, from organisational alignment and stakeholder engagement to tech, data, and operational discipline.

Dani also explores the tension between consistency and adaptability, how to move beyond training requests to real business conversations, and why outdated approaches to learning persist despite their lack of impact.

For L&D professionals ready to move from reactive to strategic, this episode offers a clear, research-backed blueprint for building a modern, credible, and business-aligned L&D function.

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

• Hope is not a strategy – intentionality is essential. 
• Don´t just drift, create a business need driven strategy, follow it and measure progress.
• Dani´s study shows that L&D is increasingly losing strategic influence.
• L&D needs to shift from being order-takers to being business partners.
• Get out from behind your desk.
• Use the same language as stakeholders. 
• L&D needs to provide stability but also be flexible enough to quickly meet emerging needs.
• Tech and data are strategic levers, not just tools. Buy the right tech.

BEST MOMENTS

"What has gotten us here is not going to get us into the future."

"Be intentional about making that strategy and then delivering on that strategy."

"It is time to quit looking at old models and traditional ways of doing things."

"We are here for a planned, demonstrable impact."

"Two big things are driving this integration of technology and data: the first is skills... the second is AI."

Dani Johnson Bio

Dani is Co-founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research, where she explores the intersection of people, practices, and technology. 

Prior to RedThread, Dani led the Learning and Career research practice at Bersin, Deloitte. Her work has appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal, CLO Magazine, Employment Relations and HR Magazine. 

Dani holds an MBA and dual degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University. 

RedThread is known for its bold, unbiased research on topics like DEIB, learning, performance, and people analytics—helping leaders rethink how work gets done.

You can follow or contact Dani at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-johnson/

Direct link to infographic: https://members.redthreadresearch.com/posts/infographic-the-building-blocks-of-a-future-ready-ld-strategy (free membership required)

- Membership Link: https://redthreadresearch.com/pricing

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

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

In this special episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, we’re turning the tables! Host of The Learning Hack podcast, John Helmer, takes over the mic to interview our very own David James about 360Learning’s new L&D Maturity Model.

With a wealth of experience in the learning industry, John brings a sharp, inquisitive lens to this conversation, challenging David on why L&D needs another maturity model, how it’s been developed, and what makes it different from the many that have come before.

If you’ve ever wondered how to push your team forward and make a lasting impact, this episode is for you.

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

• The Maturity Model was built collaboratively.
• The model covers the 5 stages L&D goes through to reach maturity and become the engine that transforms their businesses.
• To truly impact the business, you need to anticipate business needs and train people for them in advance – the transformative stage.
• Stakeholders will resist your working transformatively. David explains why and how to overcome this.
• If you don´t understand the work you can´t deliver a solution.
• Open your conversations with “How´s business?”
• PR the hell out of everything and the impact you deliver.
• Use AI. David explains how.

BEST MOMENTS

“This is the lived experience of bouncing against stakeholders.”

“It starts with the strategy rather than the learning.”

“Be persistently consistent.”

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

John Helmer 

John Helmer is a writer, podcaster and communications strategy expert specialising in learning, training and education, with a focus on digital technology innovation. He runs two highly successful podcasts, The Learning Hack and Great Minds on Learning. He has led many programmes bringing together thought leaders and practitioners for knowledge sharing and debate, and writes for and edits numerous blogs, as well as producing many white papers and research reports (including articles for peer-reviewed journals).

A pioneer in digital marketing, he co-created and promoted more than thirty training courses on using the internet for marketing and business. He is also a novelist, lyricist for Marillion, has been on Top of Pops, and won a Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival.

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

https://www.johnhelmerconsulting.com

DAVID JONES

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 writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT

•  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

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

For the first time ever, The Learning & Development Podcast was recorded in front of a live audience in New York! In this special episode, I sit down with Julianne Gill, Director of Learning & Development at Smile Brands, to explore what it truly takes to build an L&D function that delivers measurable impact.

Julianne shares insights from her career journey, how she assessed and transformed L&D at Smile Brands, and the pivotal role of performance consulting and collaborative learning in making L&D a strategic business driver. 

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 leaders need to think strategically to truly help the business.
• Seek real customer feedback. If you don´t know what people really think you can´t improve.
• Focus on how people really learn. It is always evolving.
• The L&D department needs to learn and evolve themselves.
• Collaborative learning works.
• Always partner with subject matter experts. Where possible update what they have already created, then get them to edit it.
• Start by helping people to achieve their KPIs.
• Educate yourself about performance consulting.
• Focus on outcomes.
• Be smart with people´s time.
• When you have different perspectives and experiences in the room you achieve more.

BEST MOMENTS

“You need to show value pretty quickly.”

“You are telling them their baby is ugly, and nobody likes to be told that their baby is ugly.”

“When training is the absolute wrong solution, you're going to waste a lot of money.”

“I can turn anything into a $ sign.”

“Start with the data.”

“Take the wins when you can and work your way around.”

Julianne Gill Bio

Julianne is an innovative Learning, Development, Talent Acquisition, & Knowledge Management leader with a track record of success in leading complex initiatives. Julianne has deep expertise in training design & strategy, performance improvement, business planning, talent acquisition, employee engagement, operational efficiencies, leadership development, and change management with a proven history of building and leading high performing teams. Through leadership and collaboration, Julianne has successfully developed and executed programs and improved operational workflows that lead to performance improvement and achievement of strategic goals.

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

In a time when organisations must adapt and evolve more rapidly than ever, the role of learning is at a crossroads. In this episode, Nigel Paine, author of The Great Reset: Unlocking the Power of Organisational Learning, shares his vision for transforming L&D into a strategic driver of culture, leadership, and inclusion-focused change.

Nigel outlines the dimensions of organisational learning, the five values that underpin it, and the critical questions that leaders must ask to shift from transactional L&D to a more holistic and impactful approach. He also discusses the role of generative AI in reshaping learning and how L&D professionals can rise to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing landscape.

With philosophical reflections and practical guidance, this conversation provides a roadmap for those ready to reset their thinking, elevate their practice, and embrace a bold vision for the future of learning.

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

• Sharing and supporting is a component of agile organisations. 
• Provide people with the freedom to work holistically and across departments.
• Ensure your systems are relevant.
• Create a culture of trust so people are free to support each other.
• Use team targets instead of individual ones.
• Set benchmarks to prove you have achieved it.
• Empower people to look after their own development and remove barriers.
• AI can be a personal development engineer for each person.
• Inclusion genuinely brings different perspectives.

BEST MOMENTS

 “I don't believe you can rely on individuals being smart enough ... We need collective intelligence.”

“Value decency and human kindness.”

“Detoxify your culture.”

“The 5 values create an agenda for action.”

“AI is going to be life enhancing.”

“Build credibility based on making meaningful impacts.”

Nigel Paine Bio

Nigel Paine is a renowned author, speaker, and thought leader in the field of L&D. He is a passionate advocate for innovative, people-centred approaches to organisational development.

As the author of several influential books, Nigel challenges L&D professionals to think beyond traditional boundaries and embrace the profound potential of learning to shape culture, foster leadership, and drive inclusion.

Nigel’s career spans senior leadership roles, consulting with global organisations, and teaching at institutions such as the University of Chicago and IE Business School. 

Twitter: @ebase

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

Book: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-great-reset Use the discount code: LDAP10

https://www.nigelpaine.com

VALUABLE RESOURCES

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

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. 

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

CONTACT METHOD 

•   https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

Too often, L&D delivers learning solutions that fail to drive real behaviour change. But why does this happen, and how can we design interventions that truly make an impact? In this episode, learning design expert Julie Dirksen unpacks the science behind effective learning and what actually motivates people to apply what they’ve learned.

Julie explores the biggest reasons training fails, the role of attention and habit formation, and how L&D can move beyond information delivery to solving real performance challenges. She also shares strategies for diagnosing root causes, overcoming engagement barriers, and designing for complex skill development.

With practical insights and research-backed strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for L&D professionals looking to create learning that sticks—and that leaders take seriously as a driver of business success.

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

• When people do not see the value in the action they do not do it.
• If what you are asking for is not viable people won´t do it e.g. They can´t see their work clearly while wearing safety glasses.
• Learning does not have to be short; it has to be relevant.
• User testing learning before rollout is effective.
• Teaching people how to examine and solve problems is powerful.
• Create opportunities for feedback to reinforce learning.
• AI can help you in ways humans can´t.
• Break down why the behaviour is not happening.

BEST MOMENTS

“They know the right actions to take, yet it’s still not happening.”

“Sometimes people don't see the value in the action.”

“AI can pull out what is successful and then use that as a model.”

Julie Dirksen's Bio

Julie Dirksen is an expert in instructional design, learning science, and behaviour change. She is the author of Design For How People Learn and a sought-after consultant who helps organisations create learning experiences that drive real performance improvement. With a background in UX, game design, and cognitive psychology, Julie focuses on bridging the gap between what we teach and what people actually do. Through her work, she equips L&D professionals with the tools to design learning that truly sticks.

You can follow and contact Julie via:

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

Blog: http://usablelearning.wordpress.com/

Website: https://usablelearning.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

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