Bring Out the Talent: A Learning and Development Podcast

A recent study by Udemy revealed an interesting fact: 80% of employees feel more engaged at work when they're learning new skills. Yet, despite this clear desire to learn, keeping learners truly engaged remains a significant challenge for L&D professionals. It's not just about providing learning opportunities - it's about making those opportunities engaging and relevant, so that learning becomes not just a task, but a meaningful part of every employee's work life. In this episode of 'Bring Out the Talent,' we welcome Adam Weisblatt, a learning strategist known for his dedication to crafting learner-centered experiences. With an incredible background spanning 20 years in various facets of workplace learning, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. His journey, which has led him from being an instructor to an eLearning designer and programmer, has equipped him with unique insights into the creation and implementation of engaging projects. Tune in as we discuss a range of topics, from harnessing AI to tailor learning experiences to navigating the intricate balance between digital and in-person training environments.

Imagine a workspace filled with the colorful, familiar shapes of Lego bricks. Now, imagine these aren't just for play, but powerful tools for learning, communication, and problem-solving. This is the world of Lego Serious Play, a methodology that harnesses the power of play to unlock creativity, foster collaboration, and solve complex problems in corporate settings. Lego Serious Play has evolved into a widely used tool in workshops and team-building sessions across various industries. It's not just about building models; it's about constructing ideas, sharing stories, and building a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing teams and organizations.In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we are joined by Lynn Turner, a Lego Serious Play facilitator, who will share insights and experiences from her journey in bringing this innovative approach to organizations. Whether you're a skeptic of unconventional learning methods or a believer in the power of play, today's episode is bound to offer you some valuable insights.So, tune in and explore how Lego Serious Play is more than just play, it's a serious tool for learning, development, and transformation in the adult world. 

A workplace culture rooted in dignity is not merely "a nice to have" but a critical component for attracting and retaining talent, enhancing engagement, and boosting overall performance. The significance of dignity within the corporate landscape is undeniable, with 93% recognizing its critical importance for organizational success.Although dignity and respect are often considered synonymous, they each play a distinct and vital role in shaping our interactions at work. Understanding the differences between them can profoundly transform our communication, leadership styles, and teamwork.In this episode of 'Bring Out the Talent,' we're joined by Ralph Campbell, an expert in organizational behavior and the creator of the Dignity Index Assessment. We will explore the differences between dignity and respect, and why these distinctions matter. We'll discuss the challenges leaders face in fostering a culture of dignity and learn how organizations can genuinely integrate these values into their everyday practices. Additionally, we'll dive into how these principles can lead to better communication, stronger teams, and an improved company culture.Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on nurturing a culture of dignity in the workplace.

Most of us are familiar with the term IQ (intelligent quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) – but how familiar are you with your MQ or Motivational Quotient? MQ is the driving force behind our ambitions and growth, influenced by factors like goals, confidence, personality, and attitude. But while many leaders pay special attention to IQ and EQ, ones MQ can differentiate a truly successful leader from the rest.This episode of ‘Bring Out the Talent’ welcomes Sam Caballero, a seasoned Talent Development expert, Pivotn co-founder, CEO, and Coach, and a key figure in talent cultivation at the Air Force Reserve Command and the International Coaching Federation. Together, we'll discuss the pivotal role of personal purpose and motivation in steering impactful leadership, the significance of MQ in navigating leadership challenges, and how aligning personal values with professional responsibilities can elevate leadership effectiveness. So, tune in to elevate your leadership game by harnessing your motivational intelligence.

AR and VR are no longer a trending novelty utilized by the top 1%. These immersive technologies are rapidly being embraced by organizations worldwide. In fact, a recent survey found that 82% of company executives anticipate incorporating immersive technologies into their business models within the next three years. In this episode of ‘Bring Out the Talent,’ we are joined by Jason Morris, Extended Reality (XR) Manager at CrossTrainer, to discuss the future of learning and AR and VR’s evolving role in corporate training. So, tune in for an insightful journey into the future of workplace!

Leadership can make a monumental difference in organizational success. In fact, a McKinsey report found that organizations with effective transformational leaders are 3.5 times more likely to outperform their peers. These leaders also foster environments with higher employee engagement and a significant increase in productivity. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we are joined by Ely Caputo to learn more about transformational leadership and its impact on organizational success. Ely is the cofounder and CEO of 4D Associates International and a certified Master Coach. With more than 18 years of experience in transformational leadership, Ely discusses the differences between transformational and transactional leadership, highlighting the profound impact transformational leadership can have in reshaping organizational culture and enhancing employee engagement. So, tune in to gain valuable insights into the power of transformational leadership and its important role in the ever-evolving landscape of workplace dynamics.

The past few years have caused many business leaders to rethink the way their organizations work, where they get the work done, and how long a workweek should be. Since the 1900s, a 40-hour work week has been the accepted standard in the workplace. But has the idea of a 40-hour – five-day workweek evolved? Research seems to suggest that less is more. But what are the ramifications of a shorter work week and do the benefits outweigh them? It also leaves the question of which is better: a 4-day work week, a reduced-hour work week, or a flexible schedule.In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we dive into the benefits and potential challenges of a 4-day work week, discuss alternatives schedules, the effects a reduced hour work week can have, what to do if a reduced hour initiative flops, and so much more with our special guest, Jordan George. Jordan is an award-winning talent development leader and international speaker focused on empowering people and businesses to achieve their full potential. He is the Principal Consultant – Head of Client Solutions at Curium Solutions US, an award-winning business transformation consultancy working with global brands.  Tune in as Jordan shares invaluable insight and helps us better understand the possibilities of a four-day work week.

In this episode of “Bring Out the Talent,” we speak with Dr. James Stanger, Chief Technology Evangelist at CompTIA and recognized authority in security, information technology, workforce development, analytics, and open source. Dr. Stanger consults regularly with organizations such as the University of Cambridge, Oxford University, West Point, AstraZeneca, Target, and Dell – just to name a few. As an award-winning author, blogger, and educator, Dr Stanger’s writings for Linux Magazine, O’Reilly Media, McGraw-Hill, and Eselvier have been translated into over a dozen languages. In addition to his work as an active IT professional, he has helped design global education, certification, and badging programs in topics as diverse as security analytics, Linux administration, and web development.Tune in as we explore the rapidly changing technology landscape and hear what Dr. Stanger predicts will be the emerging tech trends and focus for 2023. Dr. Stanger will talk about some of the major issues the IT workforce will face the workforce in 2023 including: security, data analytics, and cloud technologies. He also will discuss issues facing the IT workforce today such as skill shortage, skill development, IT worker burnout, and more.

There are numerous studies showing the significant impact that leaders have on the quality of a company’s culture. A leader’s talent, skill, and knowledge can improve company culture and productivity exponentially. In fact, there is a 70% difference in culture quality between companies with great leaders versus inadequate leaders.In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” our two special guests, Angie Tinch and Kisha Dixon share a powerful story on transformational leadership. They note how an organization was both brave and vulnerable enough to admit when things were broken, and that in order to move forward, it was necessary to take a step back to assess and then address the dysfunction. It was discovered that there were misalignments and unclear visions between the management team and team members – they needed to come together. Through both weekly training sessions and the utilization of several workshops – including Clifton Strengths – they were able to turn their team around and have never been stronger. They now accept being vulnerable, have open communication, share their visions, increased their sales; and still use the principles taught, years later. Tune in as we discuss how the changes that the Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Council adopted have made a tremendous impact on the way they operate and lead, and how other organizations can achieve similar success. 

Leadership can be defined in many different ways, but author Joanne Ciulla said it best when she wrote, “Leadership is not a person or a position. It’s a complex moral relationship between people based on trust, obligation, commitment, emotion, and a shared vision of the good.” There are many leaders among us, and they’re found in various kinds of people, places, and even the most unlikely positions.Unfortunately, many people – especially women – struggle with leadership, as only 35% currently hold a leadership position out of the 54.3% that make up today’s workforce. What’s more, is that individuals may not even realize that they have the ability to lead or influence, because they believe that to be an effective leader, they must have a title, or they view leadership as something that has to be earned. People don’t need to change who they are to be an effective leader – they simply need to have a passion for what they do and learn how to leverage who they are to make an impact. In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we are joined by Ashley Cox. Ashley is the Founder and CEO of SproutHR and author of “Transform Your Stories: Overcome Your Toxic Stories, Become a Courageous and Confident Leader, and Impact the World.”Tune in as we learn some tips to lead successfully and confidently in the workplace!

Research by the Brandon Hall Group found that organizations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%. While creating a strategic employee onboarding process continues to be a key focus for many organizations, many miss the mark when it comes to building an effective new-hire program. In fact, a report from Gallup uncovered that 88% of organizations ‍don't onboard well at all! What successful organizations have come to know and reinforce is that a successful onboarding program is ongoing, with an emphasis on fostering relationships and creating connectivity and much more than paperwork. In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we are joined by Zakiya Khalfani. Zakiya is a Facilitator, Trainer, and Senior TTA Consultant with over 32 years of experience. She is passionate about helping organizations create onboarding programs that help increase success and retention.Tune in as we learn how to onboard for long-term success!

Most organizations know the importance of continuous workplace learning, but are we teaching our teams how to learn? Oftentimes, corporations may miss the mark on developing a specific learning plan that identifies what is needed in order to close the skills gap. Furthermore, many employees enter the workforce without being fully prepared for the unstructured nature and complexities of the modern workplace learning environment.Organizations need a dynamic skills-focused strategy that enables employees to learn and apply desirable skills quickly and effectively.In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we talk with our special guest, Dr. Trudy Mandeville, CEO and Chief Learning Officer of TCP Learning about what learning leaders need to make learning strategies more effective, and uncover learning myths. Tune in as we learn how to support and create a culture of continuous learning in the workplace!

Changing careers has become a growing movement among our current workforce. A recent poll has found that approximately 52% of American employees are considering making a career change, and 44% have already embarked on making the switch.One area seeing tremendous change is teachers pivoting away from academia and moving toward corporate learning and development positions. In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Cyndi Threatt, Manager of Learning and Development at American Credit Acceptance. Cyndi was a 4th-grade teacher who after 7 years, pivoted into the corporate L&D space. She has since built a successful L&D department from the ground up and hired two teachers turned L&D contractors.  Cyndi discusses why teachers have the right skills and background that can help them quickly transition into corporate America.Tune in as we explore the career journey from a teacher to a learning and development professional!

A recent survey of large companies revealed that inadequate communication, both to and from employees, resulted in an average loss of $62.4 million per year.  In a separate study, it was reported that miscommunication costs smaller companies an average of $420,000 per year. Can your organization afford the cost of not focusing on developing effective communication skills?In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we dive into the importance of clear and confident communication in the workplace, why having strong communication skills matters, how to develop a framework for effective communication with employees, and the benefits that an improved communication framework can bring to an organization with our guest, Michael Broussard. Michael is a communications expert, trainer, and coach.Tune in as we learn tips for communicating clearly, effectively, and confidently in the workplace!

A recent Accenture report revealed that 63% of companies that have chosen to implement a remote or hybrid workforce model witnessed high-revenue growth, whereas 69% of companies that did not embrace either of these models experienced either negative growth or no growth at all. For those organizations embracing a hybrid or remote workforce model, there has been a growing need to improve the strategies surrounding team building. So, how can managers effectively build teams and set them up for success in an ever-increasing virtual world?In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we dive into how managers can effectively lead and support their teams in a virtual environment, common obstacles leaders may encounter when working with remote teams, and how leaders can create a positive and engaging culture for employees working remotely with our guest, George Karseras. George is a Coach, Author, and the Founder of TeamUp.Tune in as we learn how to maximize engagement and help teams thrive in a remote world! 

There is no doubt that employee happiness and a thriving workplace culture are deeply connected. So, what steps can an organization take to build the foundation for strong and happy teams?In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we discuss the current state of workplace happiness, proven methods to build high-performing teams, how to help teams establish trust, and ways to explore what it means to be happy. We will also learn more about the Better Teams Assessment and ways that everyone within your team can think and behave as a leader - regardless of their level of authority, with our special guest Leigh Ann Rodgers. Leigh Ann is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator with over 20 years of experience in the human development field and the founder and CEO of Better Teams.Tune in as we learn how to create thriving and high-performing teams.  

According to The Harvard Business Review, over 60% of change initiatives undertaken in organizations end in failure. Could this be in part to leaders and employees lacking the guidance and support needed to fully embrace the change? A separate study from McKinsey revealed that 70% of all change programs fail due to employee resistance and lack of support from the management. So, what steps can an organization take to ensure a successful organizational change?In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we dive into change management within an organization, the skills and tools needed to be a successful change agent, challenges often faced when implementing changes, and tips on how to successfully manage change within an organization with our guest, Lynn Turner. Lynn is a Coach, Facilitator, Strategist, TTA consultant, and founder of Core XP Business Solutions.Tune in as we unlock the secrets to creating lasting and impactful organizational change!

Research has revealed that teamwork is more important than ever. So much so that approximately 75% of employees rate teamwork and collaboration as being very important and companies that promote collaboration and teamwork have reduced employee turnover rates by 50%. But in this new era of working, many leaders are struggling to cultivate strong teams and are looking for a roadmap for success. In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we discuss creating radical teams with the author of “Radical Outcomes: How to Create Extraordinary Teams that Get Tangible Results,” strategist, and CEO of Oxygen, Juliana Stancampiano. Juliana dives into common workplace models that are no longer effective and how leaders can begin fostering extraordinary teams. We also discuss some of the biggest challenges leaders face when creating radical teams, the value of transparency and role clarity, how to effectively measure results, and what we can expect to see in the upcoming years surrounding teams.Tune in as we learn some tips on how to create radical teams.

As leaders, we wear many hats: coach, mentor, motivator, problem-solver, and beyond. But one role many leaders aren’t always prepared for is the role of ‘bad attitude modifier.’ Unfortunately, an employee with a toxic attitude can seriously disrupt things in the workplace. Research shows that when faced with a toxic employee, 78% of employees become less committed to their organization. In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we take a deep dive into the importance of addressing a toxic attitude in the workplace and how to tackle the issue head-on. We discuss how leaders can address an employee or team who possess a toxic mindset, how to use feedback to create inclusion, and how to proactively promote a positive and inclusive workplace. To help answer these questions, we speak with Lisa Harrison. Lisa is a Diversity and Human Resources consultant with over twenty years of success in workforce diversity and inclusion.Tune in as we learn how to combat negativity to help promote an inclusive and positive workplace. 

A recent study revealed that companies that cultivate a positive and strong workplace culture could see as much as a 400% growth in revenue. 400%! A positive workplace culture is so important because it helps attract new talent, drives engagement, impacts happiness, and positively affects performance – do you know where your workplace culture rates? In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we take a deep dive into the importance of workplace culture. We explore why leaders need to think differently in order to keep culture thriving, how to align your practices with your mission and values, how to adopt behaviors associated with an “employee-centered” leadership culture, common pitfalls leaders make when trying to change corporate culture—and how to avoid them, and so much more with our special guest, John Mancuso. John is a seasoned educator, writer, founder of Authentic Communication Matters, and beloved TTA consultant. Tune in as we learn how you can lead with a culture-focused mindset and shape your organization’s culture and ensure stellar productivity.