What should you focus on to improve your work in 2024?
Eight leaders share lessons learned and key focus areas for an impactful new year!
Laurie Roth suggests we act as strategic business partners rather than just learning specialists. We must balance the need for change with operational standards and systems and focus on building employee capabilities rather than just skills development.
“Remove any limiting belief that you are just a learning specialist. Really consider the fact that your capabilities go far beyond just creating learning and administering learning programs.”
Audio file generously recorded by Michelle Johnson.
—> Read the transcript.
Matt Gjertsen suggests we start broad and then focus. Also it’s incredibly important to say no in order to have more impact.
“ I grew up being told keep as many doors open as possible. So you want to say yes to everything, right? Then eventually after you think after you say yes to a lot of things, you have to figure out what works, and then you say no to everything.””
Audio file generously recorded by Michelle Johnson.
—> Read the transcript.
Zsolt Olah shares the reality we all face of navigating constant change, especially with technology. It’s important we learn by doing rather than just learning about concepts. The future will be heavily focused on using data and storytelling to drive impact and influence decisions.
“If you visit any social media, you might have this big FOMO that you’re light years behind of using AI. You go in and find somebody who put together 500 usable prompts. You downloaded it by the time you download it, it’s already obsolete, and someone else comes with a new tool. We are all trying to figure out how to use all this stuff while it’s changing.””
Audio file generously recorded by Michelle Johnson.
—> Read the transcript.
Chris Taylor emphasizes starting with simplicity rather than completeness when designing learning programs or initiatives. Have a clear focus on the core objective rather than getting bogged down in unnecessary details. It’s also important to focus on context and experiential learning over content.
“Simple is better than complete. We’ve probably all heard the expression of minimum viable anything. It was such a great reminder that it’s so much better to start with a basic thesis well stated, than to start with a 10 page scoping document that covers all the detail but maybe misses the kernel of why at the basis.””
Audio file generously recorded by Michelle Johnson.
—> Read the transcript.
Alex Howson emphasizes the importance of learning by doing and experimenting in order to gain insights and improve. Ideally we are also focusing on quality over quantity when creating content and programs. It’s also equally important to test our assumptions when it comes to measurement and evaluation.
“We have to take action. You have to take new steps. Otherwise, you’re never really going to be able to create any shift or change in energy or direction.”
Audio file generously recorded by Michelle Johnson.
—> Read the transcript.
Kathy Sebuck shares the importance of having a clear "why" and staying aligned with your purpose and goals. It’s equally necessary to periodically check in on your alignment, both personally and professionally; and ensure collaboration, communication, and connection are present in all that you do.
“The truth is misalignment kills us all. And usually we don’t see it until later because we’re not paying attention.””
Audio file generously recorded by Michelle Johnson.
—> Read the transcript.
Heidi Kirby emphasizes the importance of accountability, self-reflection, and saying no when opportunities aren't a good fit.
“We need to stop taking jobs where we ask good questions in the interview, then a lot of red flags show up, and we end up taking the job anyway. And then we’re met with just continuous opposition.””
Audio file generously recorded by Michelle Johnson.
—> Read the transcript.
Lindsey Leigh Hobson suggests we set clear outcomes or goals but be open minded about how to achieve them and allow things to unfold organically over time.
“Be clear on what you want to achieve and just go with the flow of the rest of it.”
Audio file generously recorded by Michelle Johnson.
—> Read the transcript.