I won’t be using the term “leader” in this post because manager ≠ leader. But that’s for another time … Where are they? I never really saw my managers when I was an operations employee – unless something was going wrong or the place was REALLY busy. Because I never got into trouble (humble …
We should stop using the term “learner” because …
This is one of those standard L&D practices that just never felt right – even when I first got started working as a facilitator and instructional designer. Over the past few years, I’ve come to believe that our use of the term “learner” to describe anyone who engages with L&D stuff actually …
Do they know what L&D does?
Do you know what the L&D team does here? I mentioned the idea of “lack of L&D role awareness” as a symptom of an unhealthy learning and performance ecosystem during my vSession with the ATD Forum earlier today. Coincidentally, Jane Hart asked a related question this morning on Twitter … What would …
Twitter: You may be 10 but to me you’re 6
Twitter turned 10 last week. While analysts and investors continue to question the viability of an online world limited to 140 characters, I still believe Twitter to be an INVALUABLE communication tool – for the entire Internet-enabled universe. The celebratory highlight reel Twitter shared last Monday (below) provides a quick glimpse into moments …
4 practices (and 12 tips) for better remote working
I’m perplexed by our continued reverence of the 9 to 5 workday. Despite radical technological and social change over the past 100 years, we remain beholden to an industrial approach to work. Even though better options exist, a majority of us still battle rush hour traffic as we trek to and from office buildings at pre-determined times that …
5 considerations for assessing your learning and performance ecosystem
“Ecosystem” is a relatively new term in the corporate world. Much like it does when used in reference to the natural world, ecosystem describes the interconnected nature of the modern workplace. Regardless of industry, size, or structure, organizations are (now more than ever) living networks made up of not just people but also processes, …
Practical steps to kickstart workplace curiosity
“We want to create a learning culture.” Have you heard that one lately? Maybe from your company’s senior management? As organizations seek to retain talent and differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace, the idea of a “learning culture” is now in vogue. Great news for L&D, right? Well … L&D can’t create a “learning …
RANT: You’re out of office message SUCKS!
Does this sound familiar … Thank you for your message. I will be away from the office between XX date and XX date. During that time, I will have limited access to email and voicemail. If you need assistance before I return, please contact XX at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or [email protected]. Have …
RANT: Stop vilifying presentation!
Kill the sage on the stage! All hail the guide on the side! Don’t just talk at them! Engage them in conversation! Facilitate – don’t present! I’ve been hearing stuff like this for the past several years when discussing L&D delivery strategy. Most of my peers have been unabashed in their distaste for presentation, anointing facilitation as …
My job as a conference speaker is …
I tend to ad lib when I present … A LOT. Yes, I sometimes tangent, but going “off script” helps me customize the presentation for the people in the room. One of my ad libs from a session last year was so well-received that I now include it as part …
How I Blog … (2015 #DevLearn Bloggers)
I originally wrote this post for the eLearning Guild’s Twist Blog as part of the 2015 #DevLearn Bloggers series. I write … A LOT. However, the bulk of my writing has historically been focused on my employer, meaning it never gets read outside the firewall. In early 2014, I took …
5 reasons I choose to work out loud (#WOL)
Share … Share constantly … and SHARE LOUD! I’m not going to argue the merits of or outline a full strategy for working out loud (WoL). For that discussion, read this, this, this, or this. While I completely agree with the value behind WoL, it wasn’t until I found my …
My Top 10 Tools for Learning (2015)
It’s once again time to vote for your favorite toys as part of Jane Hart‘s annual Top 100 Tools for Learning survey. To compile last year’s list, Jane received input from 1,038 learning professionals from 61 countries. You can submit your top 10 list as part of the 2015 survey here until noon GMT …
L&D and Our Coyote Complex
I introduced the L&D/Coyote comparison as part of my Transforming Users into Contributors session on user-generated content at DevLearn 2014. Thanks to Sarah Gilbert for the accidental inspiration during her DevLearn morning buzz session. I’ve used the comparison several times since to support my position, and it seems to resonate. Here’s …
My honest out of office reply
My L&D buddy Dan Steer recently posted his version of an “Honest Out of Office Reply” to his personal blog. Dan took a decidedly “I can’t stop working because I love it” position with his message, ending his post with … Eventually, when these dreadful 2 weeks of on/off connected-dissonance …