Becoming An L&D Leader With Paul Smith

The Learning & Development Podcast

The step-up into L&D leadership can often be underestimated because it’s hard to understand unless you’re doing it. Too often L&D professionals bemoan the absence of the conditions for change but this is where leadership comes in. In this episode, we discuss what it means to become a leader of an L&D function, what the new expectations are, what a leader needs to do, and how to bring people with them.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Successful L&D teaches people the skills they need to solve problems the business faces.
• L&D is about creating business solutions.
• When your L&D strategy is resisted, show true leadership. Stand your ground and negotiate for the type of L&D you know the business actually needs.
• Don´t wait for the perfect conditions to modernise. Take the lead instead.
• Establish where people are on the learning development readiness scale and tailor what you offer to that individual's needs.
• Facilitation is a key component of successful L&D. In the podcast, Paul explains how he uses book clubs to break down barriers and facilitate change.
• Getting people to learn together is fantastic for team building and reducing the hierarchy.
• You can´t force change. Guidance, support, and two-way conversations are essential when leading people to do things differently.
• Give people what they ask for, add something extra, then watch them adopt and use those new techniques and skills.
• Be humble enough to recognise that you do not know it all.
• Develop your network. It is great to have someone to turn to for counsel.

BEST MOMENTS

'You are not developing learning and development solutions. You´re developing business solutions.'

'Ask where do they sit on the learning and development readiness scale, tailor that story to their needs and bring them on the journey.'

'The art of negotiation is getting a deal. '

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

EPISODE RESOURCES

Scrum by Jeff Sutherland

ABOUT THE GUEST

Paul Smith

Paul is Head of Learning & Organisational Development at Retail Prodigy Group in Melbourne Australia, having relocated from London whilst working with Apple. Since then, Paul has led Learning and Talent functions with BUPA Australia, Momentis, CPA Australia, and Officeworks.

ABOUT THE HOST

David James

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

As well as being the Chief Learning Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/