ATD Accidental Trainer

In this episode of The Accidental Trainer, global learning partner Elizabeth Fine reaches out to fellow former K-12 teachers looking to transition into the field of training and talent development. The Jr High Dropout on Apple Podcasts The Jr High Dropout on Spotify Elizabeth on LinkedIn  

Executive Director of Quinnovation and ATD author Dr. Clark Quinn joins us for this episode of The Accidental Trainer to discuss his new book, Learning Science for Instructional Designers. We cover how learning science underpins all instructional design work, fills the gaps in learning theories as well as grounds those theories. Don't miss this cognitive-heavy episode with our very own learning doctor. Resources Clark's Book Quinnovator on Twitter Quinnovation.com, Clark on LinkedIn

Executive presence goes beyond confidence and charisma—it's a vital skill for every professional, not just those in the C-Suite. Hilary Blair, cofounder and CEO of ARTiculate Real&Clear, explores the evolving role of executive presence and its particular importance for trainers and instructional designers in the L&D field.  Hilary delves into how executive presence shapes perceptions and challenges stereotypes tied to our “packaging.” She also shares strategies for developing an authentic executive presence that aligns with your personality, whether introverted or extroverted, and maintains your individuality. Leverage executive presence to foster stronger relationships, effectively communicate the value of your work, and deliver impactful training presentations.   Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hbarticulate   Website: https://articulaterc.com 

Alaina Szlachta, PhD, is the founder of By Design Development Solutions and author of the recently published Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring. Alaina’s book provides advice for L&D professionals navigating tight budgets, limited resources, and demanding expectations.  In this episode, Alaina unveils her practical framework for measurement and evaluation, organized into three actionable strategies: Build, Borrow, or Buy. Build: Tailor strategies to your organization by forming hypotheses for desired outcomes and enhancing data literacy. Borrow: Maximize efficiency by leveraging existing data and systems. Buy: Invest wisely in external solutions when stakeholder buy-in, ROI, and expertise align.  Tune in for more advice on using artificial intelligence, available tools and templates, and other insights from Alaina.   Resources:   Website: https://dralainaszlachta.com/  The Weekly Measure newsletter: https://dralainaszlachta.substack.com/ Book: https://www.td.org/product/book--measurement-and-evaluation-on-a-shoestring/112406   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drszlachta/ 

As coaching grows in popularity, so does the misconception that all coaching methods deliver the same results. In this episode, Jackie Sahm, Vice President of Integrative Solutions at Hogan Assessments, joins us to explore why assessment-based coaching stands out as a transformative approach for L&D professionals.    Jackie breaks down what makes assessment-based coaching unique, who benefits most from it, and how data-driven insights can act as a catalyst for meaningful progress. We’ll also dive into how team-based assessments can amplify collaboration and performance, what to look for in a high-quality assessment, and share real-world success stories that can help you make a compelling business case for coaching.     Whether you’re a coach, L&D professional, or leader looking to maximize impact, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your coaching strategy.    Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-vanbroekhoven-sahm-8263686/  Coaching the Hogan Way: https://www.hoganassessments.com/blog/coaching-the-hogan-way-leadership-development-solutions/  How to Select an Assessment Provider: https://www.hoganassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HowToSelectAssessment_20200921-3.pdf  Personality Change and Leadership Development Podcast Episode: https://www.thescienceofpersonality.com/personality-change/  Webinar: https://www.hoganassessments.com/webinar/how-to-fix-your-leadership-development-program/ Can People Really Change? Practical Advice for Leadership Development: https://www.hoganassessments.com/webinar/can-people-really-change-practical-advice-for-leadership-development/ 

Jessica Chen is the author of Smart Not Loud -How to Get Noticed at Work for all the Right Reasons. In this podcast episode, she explores effective communication strategies that elevate your professional presence. Jessica shares insight into understanding the common communication scale within organizations and how to assess your perceived position on that scale.   Throughout the conversation, Jessica provides a variety of frameworks for reframing your communication style to boost credibility and make your voice heard in a “loud culture.” These frameworks will help listeners persuade and command attention, understand the impact of tone of voice, build “quiet capital” and articulate meaning clearly. Dive deeper into these concepts in Jessica’s book, available through the links below.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicachenpage/ Book: https://smartnotloudbook.com/ Website: https://soulcastmedia.com/ Shop on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Not-Loud-Noticed-Reasons/dp/0593717686   

  Succession planning is evolving beyond the C-suite and becoming a critical, organization-wide strategy. In this episode, Angela Stopper, Chief Learning Officer and Director of People & Organization Development at UC Berkeley, redefines succession planning as a forward-thinking, people-centric approach tailored for today’s dynamic workforce. Angela shares her future-ready, 4-stage process that L&D professionals can implement across their organizations. She also offers practical advice on tackling the biggest challenges facing L&D teams, securing buy-in from managers at every level, and designing a comprehensive strategy that prepares the entire organization for future success. Angela has shared several resources for free! If you used these and have a success story, share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KBG73KD  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-stopper ATD24 Session Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14CWx6A0aIpZGxfAuAjw1FDrbq8SSjt3G/edit#slide=id.p30 ATD24 Summary with Resources: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UtimZCJ_V-8tQbxr3gU9WmbZ9M-KHl5W/edit#slide=id.p1 Succession Planning Toolkit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ss3i9V43Q7ZMHb4bDi0VPGM7hwwImvx/edit 

AI Agents are having their “electricity moment” in this era of technological invention. In this episode, we define AI agents and their evolving role in L&D with Mike Hruska, President and CEO of Problem Solutions. Mike explains the difference between chatbots and agents and offers practical tips for experimenting with these tools—whether you're a beginner or an expert.  Mike also shares insights on how to strategically integrate AI into your organization using an effort-impact evaluation. He outlines a clear path for moving AI agents from “toy to tool to trusted teammate” and offers a peek into the future landscape of generative AI. Tune in to hear examples of AI in action and steps to overcome skepticism while maximizing the benefits of AI in talent development.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehruska AI Blog Series: https://www.td.org/p/michael-hruska-?categories.lvl0%5B0%5D=Blog   AI Tool: https://getmaya.coach/   Age of Invisible Machines: https://www.invisiblemachines.ai/ 

Storytelling is fundamental for connection, but most people would not be considered naturally skilled at the art. On this episode, G. Riley Mills, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Pinnacle Performance Company, dives into why storytelling can be a challenge for L&D professionals and shares actionable strategies for honing communication skills.   G. Riley Mills outlines his 6-step framework for crafting compelling stories, offering insights on how to tailor your message to different audiences and embrace the art of brevity. Through examples of his personal experiences, G. Riley Mills shares how to evoke authentic emotion, influence listeners, and create stories that inspire action within your organization.  Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gamills Website: https://new.pinper.com/resources/ Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2024/08/08/collaborative-communication-building-stronger-teams/  The Bullseye Principle: https://www.amazon.com/Bullseye-Principle-Intention-Based-Communication-Collaborate/dp/1119484715  Tedx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou4xYfsJVsk  

Julie Winkle Giulioni, a leadership and career development expert, is the author of Promotions Are So Yesterday and co-author of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go. In this episode, Julie places her upcoming third edition of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go in the context of today's rapidly changing workforce.  Julie discusses the social invisibility impacting remote worker professional development and how managers can integrate meaningful career conversations into regular interactions with employees. She also explains why organizations should embrace skill growth within talent, ways individuals can “manage up” and take control of their career trajectory, and L&D’s role in mitigating talent hoarding.   Resources:   Website: https://www.juliewinklegiulioni.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewinklegiulioni/ Promotions Are So Yesterday: https://www.td.org/product/p/112202   Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go, Re-released September 24: https://www.amazon.com/Help-Them-Grow-Watch-Third-dp-B0CQW78KMX/dp/B0CQW78KMX/ref=dp_ob_title_bk   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JulieWinkleGiulioni.Author/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYPG2YOq_4GTPUUrM1n4Q1w 

Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist, educator, and published author, joins the podcast to discuss overcoming the three biggest hurdles blocking learning transfer: knowledge, contextualization, and adaptation.    The conversation also explores the distinctions between subject comprehension and ability, the dynamics of digital versus in-person learning, and the disparity between AI teachers and live instructors. Enjoy this episode to discover more about Jared’s research and his “hack” for expediting learning transfer.   Resources:   • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-cooney-horvath  • LME Global: https://www.lmeglobal.net/?r_done=1  • Jared’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCypIIZtJ1JOJ8VdED2L360Q   • Harvard Business Review article: The Limits of GenAI Educators: https://hbr.org/2024/07/the-limits-of-genai-educators  • The Dilemma Regarding Transfer: https://www.td.org/content/td-magazine/the-dilemma-regarding-transfer

Melissa Loble, Chief Academic Officer for Canvas by Instructure and a professor at UC Irvine, joins the podcast to discuss lifelong learning. Melissa offers practical advice for companies looking to move beyond the rhetoric and foster a true culture of continuous development.   Melissa addresses common barriers to learning, such as time scarcity and the need for clear guidelines and engaging practice opportunities. She also provides best practice methods for catering programs for diverse audiences, designing courses from scratch, and getting to the “why” of learning. Avoid ineffective strategies and burnout—tune in for Melissa’s expert guidance on making learning an integral part of everyday life.  Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaloble/ Canvas by Instructure: https://www.instructure.com/   Educast 3000 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2QTGC57NLu4id9FhV8GWZu?si=dc412648ccdf4c65

Learn how to break up emotional disconnection and repair workplace relationships with organizational psychologist Lola Gershfeld, founder of EMC Leaders. Discover the evergreen importance of emotional intelligence, how to disrupt negative relationship patterns, and practical steps to build stronger connections within your team. We delve into building emotional connection training and explore metrics to measure its effectiveness. Resources: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolagershfeld EmC Leaders: https://emcleaders.com/ TD Magazine article : https://www.td.org/magazines/td-magazine/together-everyone-achieves-more Emotional Connection Book: https://emcleaders.com/emotional-connection-book 

Hadiya Nuriddin is the CEO and founder of Duets Learning and author of the new release, Quality Management in Learning and Development. In this episode, Hadiya breaks down what quality management really is and the misconceptions around it. Go beyond the limited “review process” mentality of checking for typos and broken links and learn how to think bigger by developing a quality management system that works toward the success of an organization.    The conversation also covers the challenges L&D professionals face when it comes to collaborating on a quality management system across departments. Hadiya shares her expertise on incorporating evidence-based procedures, designing for accessibility, and user-generated content in quality management guidelines. Resources Hadiya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadiyanuriddin   Book: https://www.td.org/book/quality-management-in-learning-and-development   Duets Learning Website: https://www.duetslearning.com/   Interlude Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/interlude-7036192515565240321/     

Matt Beane is an assistant professor in the Technology Management Department at UC Santa Barbara and the author of the groundbreaking book, The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines. In this episode, we delve into leveraging technology and the "three Cs" of learning: Challenge, Complexity, and Connection. Matt also discusses the technological threats facing talent professionals, what it means to be a “shadow learner,” and practical strategies for protecting skill development in the age of artificial intelligence. Resources:   Matt’s Website: https://www.mattbeane.com/ Matt’s Substack: https://substack.com/@mattbeane   Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbeane/   Access Free Chapter: accidentaltrainer.theskillcodebook.com The Skill Code: https://www.amazon.com/Skill-Code-Ability-Intelligent-Machines/dp/0063337797  

Karin Hurt and David Dye, CEO and President of Let’s Grow Leaders, join the podcast to discuss their newly released book, Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict: What to Say Next to De-stress the Workday, Build Collaboration, and Calm Difficult Customers. The duo shares practical communication techniques from their book to help start difficult workplace conversations. They empower listeners with a framework for handling any conflict conversation: the “Four Dimensions of Constructive Conflict.” Enjoy the episode now to learn more about the 4-Cs and how to inject powerful phrases into your organization when navigating common workplace challenges, such as overwhelming workloads, matrixed teams, and difficult bosses. Resources:  Let’s Grow Leaders: https://letsgrowleaders.com/ Powerful Phrases Book: https://letsgrowleaders.com/conflict-phrases-book/   Asking for a Friend Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/asking-for-a-friend-6850036657530507264/   Collaborative Conversations Guide: https://letsgrowleaders.com/conflict-and-collaboration-resource-center/   Synergy Stack: https://letsgrowleaders.com/team-collaboration-synergystack/   Karin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-hurt-7ab25910/ David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmdye/    

Katy Chandler, the VP of Talent Management at DuraServ, developed an internal credentialing program to train her industry’s frontline technicians more efficiently and effectively. Katy shares how the program evolved to become a talent recruiting and retention tool by creating a visible career path for both new and experienced employees. She reveals the lessons she’s learned and the progress made with each new iteration— from creating flexibility for different skill levels and adding new technology to avoiding scope creep, assessing the capability to sustain the program, and achieving stakeholder buy-in and end-user satisfaction. Resources:  Katy Chandler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-chandler DuraServ Website: https://duraservcorp.com/  DuraServ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/duraserv/   

Cortney Marchetti, HR Director at OverDrive, and Lindsey Levinsohn, Team Lead for OverDrive’s corporate market, join the podcast to discuss how digital libraries can enhance strategic alignment for organizations. Cortney and Lindsey break down the inherent value of creating alignment, on both small and large scales. They share stories and examples of integrating digital libraries into work and team environments, including how to foster a diverse culture of perspectives, create shared spaces of community, and instill common vocabulary that helps set a unified vision.  Resources:   OverDrive Website: https://www.overdrive.com   Cortney Marchetti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortney-marchetti Lindsey Levinsohn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-levinsohn-b9931922 Books covered in the discussion:   Upstream by Dan Heath: https://heathbrothers.com/books/upstream/   Radical Candor by Kim Scott: https://www.radicalcandor.com/   Matthew McConnaughey: https://greenlights.com/   Daniel Pink: https://www.danpink.com/books/   Venus Williams: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Venus-Williams/author/B001ITTU8U?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true   Karie Willyerd: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karie-Willyerd/author/B003297IT2?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true  

In an era of technological disruption, the skill gaps craze continues to grow for many organizations. Bob Mosher, CEO of APPLY Synergies joins the podcast to offer an alternative way to think about skill building.  In this episode of Accidental Trainer, Bob discusses how aligning on the definition of “skill” is a crucial first step, the undervalued role of applying upskilling into the context of the work, and the advantage of a performance-first mindset. Bob also shares the lessons learned from the competency-based model trend and how to increase skill application post-training.  Resources:   Bob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmosher  5MomentsofNeed.com 

Global leaders agree that many people across the world are feeling the impact of a “loneliness epidemic.” Speaker, author and thought leader Devin Hughes discusses the state of human connection and how loneliness affects employee productivity on this episode of the Accidental Trainer Podcast.   Devin offers solutions for leaders struggling to approach the topic of loneliness with their team, how L&D can foster opportunities for connection, and improve the psychological safety of the organization’s culture. Check out the podcast for more insight into overcoming loneliness.   Resources:  Devin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/   Devin’s Website: https://devinchughes.com/   Devin’s Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DevinCHughes   Devin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinchughes/?hl=en  Devin’s Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Devin-C.-Hughes/author/B008MEKDXU?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true