Overview: In this episode of the L&P podcast, I speak with Mark Sheppard, a learning architect, designer, and self-proclaimed L&D “geek" about ways that that L&D professionals and teams can innovate their products, processes, and practices. Mark is the owner and founder of 2Sphynx Innovations, an L&D consultancy serving the public and private sectors in Canada and the US. With an impressive academic background and 30 years+ in the L&D field, Mark and I discuss a wealth of principles and practices you can use to change the way you consult, design, create, and lead.

Key Topics: In the conversation, we hit on a number of interesting topics relevant to learning and performance, including:

• Striking the right balance between efficiency and innovation in L&D performance


• The yin-yang relationship between learning and performance


• The role of emotions—both positive and negative—in impactful learning


• Learning in the flow of work


• Dos and don’ts of online instruction


• The value of full-stack L&D consulting


• Mark’s advice on being a freelancer/contractor


• The value of open-ended questions and challenging assumptions when working with stakeholders


• The many uses of LLMs for L&D


• Why context often trumps content when it comes to learning


• The crucial difference between gamification of learning and game-based learning


• The shortcomings of traditional L&D frameworks and some better alternatives


• Barriers to innovation in L&D and how to overcome them


• And much more!

Connect with Mark:

• LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/marksheppard


• Blue Sky: https://publictest.bsky.cz/profile/did:plc:jk4hydiju4stbfzvtamktpjq


• 2Sphynx: https://2sphynx.com/

Mentions and Resources:

• Performance as a function of efficiency AND innovation


• Role of emotion in learning


• Education vs. learning


• Learning and performance as yin and yang


• Bob Mosher - Learning in the workflow


• The roots of instructional design in the military


• Online instruction: dos and dont's - (1) The importance of having a co-facilitator for live online learning, (2) the importance of videos and office hours for asynchronous online courses

• Being a "full-stack" L&D professional


• Tips on being a freelance L&Der- (1) Being a trusted advisor, (2) having empathy for SMEs and learners, (3) thinking like an entrepreneur/owner, (4) focusing on solving problems>providing training solutions, (5) watching out for bad contracts, (6) engaging in regular marketing and sales and articulating your value prop

• The role of powerful questions (e.g., "how might we") in building trust, challenging assumptions, and creating better solutions


• Importance of pre-boarding to successful onboarding


• The value of LLMs for L&D - (1) knowledge management, (2) time saving, (3) content design and development, (4) sounding board, (5) thought partner, (6) devil's advocate, (7) needs analysis and evaluation, (8) data analysis and insights


• LLM watch outs - too much focus on content production>process


• The role of play and fun in learning


• Performance analysis and improvement - Guy Wallace, Geary Rummler, Joe Harless, W. Edwards Deming

• Microlearning


• Performance support


• Importance of context and activities>content and events


• Iterative L&D - agile, rapid prototyping, SAM


• The Kirkpatrick Framework and its shortcomings


• The CIPP Evaluation Framework (Context-Input-Process-Problem)


• Will Thalheimer's Learning Transfer Evaluation Model


• The ADDIE Framework - a macro doctrine, NOT a process or project plan


• 3 targets of innovation for L&D - (1) Product, (2) Process, and (3) Practice


• Barriers to innovation in L&D - (1) fear, (2) inertia


• Game-based learning/design vs. gamifying learning


• Promises and pitfalls of gamificiation


• The psychology of game-based learning - social learning, novelty, choice, experimentation/safety


• Conditions vs. constraints in design of games


• Dunning-Kruger Effect - mismatch between competence and confidence


• Yerkes Dodson Curve - Moderate anxiety as a beneficial for learning


• Importance of breaks and working with your brain in mind