The Talent Development Hot Seat - The #1 podcast for L&D Professionals

In today's episode, we have a strategy-packed conversation with John Ryall, Global Director of Learning and Development at SoftwareOne. Join us as we discuss:The expansive and inclusive leadership development pipeline at SoftwareOne and the critically transformative role of constant communication around itThe journey of transforming operations to develop an ecosystem of career developmentChallenges John faced in the previous LND role, sharing insights into how the arrival of a new CHRO brought about a positive shift in the company's approach to learning and development. The importance of honesty in the growth trajectoryThe role of personal accountability in molding your own futureJohn Ryall is a Learning and Talent Management leader and Executive Coach with over 20 year’s experience in international corporate business including technology, FMCG and consultancy industries. Prior to his current role as Global Head of Learning & Leadership Development at SoftwareOne he held senior leadership developed roles with VMware, Dell Technologies, Amazon and Apple, always focusing on organizational development, strategy, culture, talent management and leadership development. Before joining the corporate world he ran his own Learning and Coaching company for almost ten years delivering consultancy services to a variety of organizations across many sectors in the UK and Ireland.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with John Ryall:LinkedIn

As we celebrate National Career Development Month in November 2023, it is critical for us as talent development professionals and leaders to think about how we can support our people in achieving more success in their careers, not just during this month, but throughout the entire year. In today's episode, we will explore practical ways to facilitate career development, provide resources, and create a culture of continuous learning and growth within our organizations. We will discuss topics such as goal setting, skill building, networking, mentorship, career assessments, and much more. So whether you are a talent development professional looking to enable others or a leader seeking to empower your team, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable tips to support career development.The importance of supporting and empowering employees in their career developmentStrategies for facilitating goal-setting sessions and providing access to skill-building resourcesWays to promote networking, mentorship, and coaching opportunities for employeesThe benefits of career assessments and hosting career development workshopsHow to create personalized development plans and foster open communication and feedback in the workplaceConnect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

As we celebrate National Career Development Month, I share an exhaustive list of actionable strategies that can support your own career growth and help you support others in their career journeys. From setting clear goals and identifying strengths to expanding your network and staying adaptable, these tips will empower you to take ownership of your career and achieve greater success and fulfillment. Whether you're a talent development professional, leader, or an individual looking to advance in your career, this episode will provide valuable insights and practical steps for owning your career and creating a brighter future.You will learn:The importance of setting clear and specific goals for career development.How to identify personal strengths and areas for improvement to enhance career growth.Strategies for seeking out learning opportunities and staying informed about industry trends.The benefits of building a strong network and engaging in mentoring or coaching relationships.The significance of taking ownership of one's career, demonstrating initiative, and staying adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

In this bonus Q&A interview with Stephanie she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youStephanie is a senior human resources leader specializing in organizational development, learning & development, talent management, employee experience, leadership development, executive coaching, and change management. She has spent the past 15 years at hyper-growth companies in the tech, advertising, and entertainment space, building and leading teams that create and manage enterprise-wide people programs that develop leaders, drive high performance, and transform culture.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Stephanie Bertmer:LinkedIn

I am excited to sit down with Stephanie Bertmer, the head of Learning and Development at Pinterest with over 15 years of experience in the HR & L&D field. Stephanie brings a wealth of knowledge in crafting engaging, relevant and strategic L&D initiatives. In this episode, you will hear:Challenges and solutions in building scalable mentorship and leadership programsThe shift in responsibility for personal development from managers to individualsThe significance of aligning L&D with broader company goals and people team prioritiesHow to craft impactful talent development programs for underrepresented groupsStephanie is a senior human resources leader specializing in organizational development, learning & development, talent management, employee experience, leadership development, executive coaching, and change management. She has spent the past 15 years at hyper-growth companies in the tech, advertising, and entertainment space, building and leading teams that create and manage enterprise-wide people programs that develop leaders, drive high performance, and transform culture.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Stephanie Bertmer:LinkedIn

​In this bonus Q&A interview with Scott, he shares:His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so farA trend that he is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on his lifeOne piece of career advice he has for youScott is a seasoned DEIB practitioner and consultant who shares his personal journey and insights into creating inclusive environments within organizations.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Scott Ballina:LinkedIn

In today's episode, we have a thought-provoking discussion on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) with our guest, Scott Ballina. Scott is a seasoned DEIB practitioner and consultant who shares his personal journey and insights into creating inclusive environments within organizations.You'll learn:The importance of analyzing demographic data throughout the employee lifecycle, from recruiting to performance and promotion processes. The use of diverse interview panels and other tools to address bottlenecks and ensure diversity of input in decision makingThe challenges of obtaining data on race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and how organizations navigate this complex issue.The significance of employee engagement surveys in assessing differences in employee experiences based on demographics. How organizations can address barriers and biases that may be holding certain groups back from reaching their full potential.Ultimately, this episode is a call to action for organizations to integrate DEI principles into their talent development strategies. Scott advocates for measuring the outcomes of these efforts and reaping the benefits of diverse and inclusive learning and development experiences.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Scott Ballina:LinkedIn

In this bonus Q&A interview with Leena she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youLeena Mendoza is an Executive Coach that works with Senior Leaders who manage high stake conversations and lead teams.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Leena Mendoza:LinkedIn

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Leena Mendoza. Leena is not only a highly sought-after executive coach and business strategist, but she is also a valued member of our Talent Development Think Tank community. Lena has dedicated her career to helping leaders overcome their fears, limiting beliefs, and challenges to achieve their full potential. Today, she will share her wisdom and experience in the realm of leadership development. What you'll learn:Approaches to overcoming limiting beliefsStrategies for building confidence to thrive in leadership roles.Understanding the impact of fear and shame, and strategies to overcome these emotions and embrace vulnerability.Uncovering the origins of limitations to free yourself from themPractical tools for leadership development to enhance their communication skills, create a positive team culture, and effectively manage conflicts.Leena Mendoza is an Executive Coach that works with Senior Leaders who manage high stake conversations and lead teams.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Leena Mendoza:LinkedIn

​In this bonus Q&A interview with Matt, he shares:His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so farA trend that he is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on his lifeOne piece of career advice he has for youMatt Gjertsen is the founder and Chief Learning Officer of Better Every Day Studios, a full service instructional design team that helps aerospace and defense companies with everything from training needs analysis to learning content creation and delivery.He began his career in the United States Air Force as an Instructor Pilot in the T-1 and KC-10 aircraft. When not in the air, Matt spent his time racing triathlons, completing Ironman Lake Tahoe in 2013.After 9 years of service, Matt left active duty to become the Manager of Training and Development for SpaceX. His team was responsible for new hire orientation, employee and leader development, as well as various aspects of technical training from Environmental Health and Safety compliance to production and engineering skills. After four and a half years at SpaceX, Matt moved on to join a technology start-up where he built a global operations onboarding program, sales training and various leader development programs.Today, while focusing on defense & aerospace, Matt works with businesses of all sizes to create custom learning content and facilitate impactful employee training designed to change behavior, improve performance and help leaders build organizations people love to be part of.Matt is also continuing his military service as a Reserve Officer supporting the U.S. Space Force while he lives with his wife and daughter in Los Angeles, CA.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Matt Gjersten:LinkedIn