The Business of Learning

Imposter syndrome can quietly undermine even the most accomplished L&D professionals, causing self-doubt, hesitation and stress in day-to-day work. But what does it really look like in training and development, and how can professionals overcome it to lead with confidence?  In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Loren Sanders, CPTM and vice president of learning strategy and consulting at WeLearn Learning Services, and Ruth Phillips, training and education senior specialist at Higginbotham, to explore practical strategies for recognizing and overcoming imposter syndrome.   Tune in now for insights on:  How imposter syndrome can show up in L&D professionals’ daily work  Mindset shifts and practical strategies to manage self-doubt  Advice for learning leaders to reframe pressure and move forward with confidence 

Dr. Mikah Sellers, workforce futurist and bestselling author focused on leadership and the future of work. He explains how emotionally intelligent leadership looks in AI-driven workplaces. He reframes EI as trainable behavior and outlines core components like self-awareness and empathy. He covers measuring EI with validated tools and designing immersive, coached learning that changes leader identity over time.

Rashi Kakkar, McKinsey leader in leadership and development who brings product management thinking to L&D. She reframes learning as a bundle of value and contrasts product versus project mindsets. She discusses continuous discovery, dogfooding and tying learning to business metrics. She urges roadmap prioritization, stakeholder alignment, and shifting from order taker to strategic partner.

In this insightful discussion, Amy DuVernet, Ph.D., CPTM, a vice president at Training Industry, shares her expertise on advancing in Learning and Development. She highlights essential executive competencies like business alignment and change leadership. Amy explains how certifications and peer networks can enhance career growth while addressing common roadblocks that L&D professionals encounter. She advocates for starting conversations with leaders outside L&D to understand their challenges, offering practical strategies for navigating the path to senior roles.

Developing effective leaders is more important than ever, but understanding which skills matter most and how to build them can be challenging. From navigating new team dynamics to giving impactful feedback, today’s leaders need both foundational and modern leadership capabilities to thrive.  In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Gena Cox, Ph.D., organizational psychologist and speaker, and Jevon Gondwe, founder of Influential Skills, to discuss how learning and development (L&D) can help leaders succeed in today’s evolving work environment.  Tune in now for insights on:   How leadership skills have shifted in recent years and which foundational skills remain essential  Key challenges leaders face today and strategies for overcoming them  How L&D can support leaders in giving effective feedback to improve team performance  Approaches to measuring the impact of leadership skills training 

In celebration of Training Industry’s 20-year anniversary, we asked our listeners to share their perspectives on the past, present and future of learning and development (L&D).   In this bonus episode of The Business of Learning, we dig into your submissions and explore the L&D trends that shaped the last two decades — and those that will define the future of the field.   Tune in now to hear insights on:  How AI-powered role-play is reshaping skills development  The ways the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the L&D industry   Why, despite new technologies, the future of L&D remains deeply human   

Understanding the impact of training is a top priority for learning leaders — but knowing where to start with learning analytics can be challenging. From identifying the right metrics to connecting data back to business goals, effective measurement is key to building a more strategic L&D function.  In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Brandy Ford, CPTM, assistant vice president of manager strategy, analytics and technology at FM, to discuss how L&D professionals can develop foundational analytics skills and demonstrate real business impact.  Tune in now to hear insights on:  Where to begin when measuring training effectiveness  Key learning metrics to track, and how to align them with business key performance indicators (KPIs)  Practical tips for engaging stakeholders in defining success  

With tighter budgets and ongoing economic uncertainty, many learning leaders are being asked to do more with less. Managing training functions with limited resources requires creativity, strategic prioritization and strong stakeholder alignment. In this episode of The Business of Learning, brought to you by Synthesia, we sat down with experienced L&D leaders Lauren Olson and Harry Colangelo, CPTM to explore how L&D professionals can maximize impact even when resources are scarce. Tune in now to hear insights on: Making the most of existing tools, platforms and content Engaging subject matter experts to stretch training resources further Skills L&D professionals need to stay resilient during uncertainty

Nichol Bradford, a futurist and founder of Transformative Tech Lab, discusses the intersection of AI and human potential. She highlights the importance of responsibly integrating AI in the workplace with a focus on transparency and fairness. Bradford reassures that generative AI can augment human talent, not replace it, encouraging learning leaders to embrace this technology. She also emphasizes the crucial role of Learning and Development teams in preparing for an AI-driven future, addressing both the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Change is inevitable, but the good news is that leading it successfully is a skill that can be learned. In this episode of The Business of Learning — recorded live, in person at the 2025 Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) in celebration of Training Industry’s 20-year anniversary — we sat down with Dr. Michelle Rozen, a  keynote speaker, author and expert on change management, to explore how learning leaders can support their organizations through disruption and help teams stay focused, motivated and resilient. Tune in now for insights on:  How to drive sustainable change across the organization Turning resistance into engagement Key mindset shifts for leaders navigating uncertainty