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Sr. Specialist, Learning Experience DesignerJ&J Learn Global Service CenterCourtney is a senior learning experience designer with more than 10 years of experience in the field of education, including higher education and, most recently, corporate learning. As an LXD, she collaborates with training strategists, clients, subject matter experts (SMEs), visual designers, course developers, and quality assurance specialists to create inclusive and meaningful learning experiences for their global organization. Drawing on her background in helping professions like counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and academic advising, she is empathy-driven. This fuels her focus on making digital learning content accessible to all learners. Courtney strongly believes that employees should have opportunities to upskill and reskill to reach their fullest potential, which aligns with Our Credo.

Courtney Campbell

Spring 2021 - CTDO Magazine

My journey to improve my learning measurement capabilities was necessary, albeit bumpy.

Do You Measure Up?

In my 17 years in training and workforce development, I’ve witnessed a significant transformation that parallels the technological convergence we’ve seen in mobile phones. Mobile phones began as single-use devices for voice communication, evolved to include text messaging, QWERTY keyboards, touch screens, and now host apps for nearly every conceivable need. Technologists predicted this convergence years before it became a reality, fundamentally changing user habits, creating new expectations, and facilitating our always-on, always-connected, ever-changing world.Today, the majority of the workforce was born into this digital world, yet our training methodologies have not kept pace with evolving user expectations. The pressure on learning and skill development functions is no longer annual or fixed; it’s dynamic. Products, goods, and services we train on are moving targets, and with the mobility of the modern workforce, so are our learners. Like their phones, employees expect an always-on, always-connected experience. They no longer want to navigate multiple platforms for training, communication, conferences, performance tracking, and rewards.This convergence in expectations necessitates a shift in mindset. We are no longer just trainers; we must adopt the mindset of marketers, connecting our strategies from training to communication to rewards and recognition into one cohesive, connected learning journey.The Era of Dynamic LearningThe traditional model of static, periodic training sessions is becoming obsolete. Organizations must move toward a dynamic learning model, where continuous skill development and talent nurturing are integral parts of the employee experience. This shift is driven by several factors:Accelerated Product Life Cycles: As product life cycles shorten, training must keep pace with rapid changes in technology, customer preferences, and market demands. Employees need immediate access to the latest information and skills to remain competitive and effective.Remote and Global Workforce: The rise of remote work and global teams demands flexible and accessible training solutions. Employees must be able to learn anytime, anywhere, on any device, ensuring that learning fits into their daily routines.Hyper Personalized Learning: Just as users personalize their smartphone apps to fit their lifestyles, employees now expect personalized learning paths that cater to their skills, roles, and career aspirations. Adaptive AI learning technologies and data-driven insights enable the creation of tailored experiences that meet individual needs.Integrating Training, Communication, and RecognitionTo meet these new expectations, training programs must be integrated with communication and recognition strategies, creating a unified learning ecosystem. Here’s how organizations can achieve this:Unified Platforms: Implement integrated platforms that provide a one-stop shop for learning, communication, and performance management. These platforms should offer a user-friendly interface, accessible via mobile devices, ensuring that employees can easily access all resources.Continuous Feedback Loops: Foster a culture of continuous feedback, where employees receive real-time insights into their performance and development. This approach encourages ongoing improvement and helps employees feel valued and recognized for their contributions.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between training, HR, marketing, product, and IT teams to develop cohesive strategies that align with business goals. This cross-functional approach ensures that all aspects of the employee experience are interconnected and reinforce each other.The Marketer MindsetAdopting a marketer mindset means viewing training as a holistic journey rather than a series of isolated events. It requires understanding the employee experience from end to end and crafting narratives and connected strategies that resonate with learners. Here are key elements of this approach:Storytelling: Use storytelling techniques to create engaging learning experiences that captivate employees’ attention and foster emotional connections. Compelling narratives make training content more memorable and relatable.Gamification and Rewards: Incorporate gamification elements and rewards to motivate and engage employees. Leaderboards, badges, and point systems can drive healthy competition and encourage active participation.Data-Driven Insights: Leverage unified data analytics to gain insights into learning behaviors and preferences. These insights enable organizations to continuously refine and optimize their training programs to better meet employees’ needs.Campaign-Based Learning: Develop modularity in your learning content architecture to create ongoing continuous learning campaigns. These campaigns can adapt based on market dynamics and conversion data, ensuring that learning remains relevant and effective.Embracing the FutureThe convergence of talent and skill development is not just a trend; it’s a necessity in today’s fast-paced, digital world. By adopting a holistic, integrated approach to training, communication, and recognition, organizations can create a connected learning journey that meets the expectations of the modern workforce. This shift requires a marketer mindset, where learning is personalized, dynamic, and seamlessly integrated into the employee experience, ensuring that organizations remain agile, competitive, and ready for the future.

Beyond Training: Creating a Connected Learning Journey

A well-crafted strategy is about making intentional choices that position organizations for long-term success. A thoughtful approach defines where you’re going and lays out a clear, adaptive path forward that everyone within the organization can understand. Great strategy goes beyond planning—it’s about centering people, creating alignment across the organization, and developing resilient and responsive plans. Here’s how organizations can bring strategic alignment and planning into focus.The Key Elements of a High-Impact Strategic PlanA successful strategic plan engages stakeholders, translates complexity into clarity, and provides actionable steps forward. Based on insights from diverse industries, high-impact strategies tend to include these foundational elements:Clear insight: Effective strategy starts with a clear understanding of the organization’s current reality. Leveraging data and insights from both internal and external sources reveals opportunities and pinpoints challenges, building a strong foundation for decisions.Stakeholder engagement: Building a strategic plan is as important as the strategy itself. Engaging a range of perspectives across the organization supports buy-in and ensures that diverse needs and ideas are represented. A shared commitment emerges naturally when the process includes the voices of those affected.Clarity (not certainty): A great plan is clear, accessible, and memorable even amid the ever-increasing velocity of change affecting the business environment. While strategies often include detailed steps, the essence should be easy to communicate and inspire everyone involved, serving as a guide that motivates people to act even in the face of adversity and business challenges.Purposeful prioritization: Successful strategies provide focus, helping leaders and teams prioritize what matters most. With clear priorities, leaders can make informed decisions about where to direct resources and energy—guiding what to pursue and what to pause.Adjustability: Strategy is not a one-time event. A dynamic plan is regularly refreshed, keeping it relevant and aligned with the organization’s evolving landscape and goals.A Framework to Establish a Foundation for ActivationStrategic alignment and planning aren’t one-size-fits-all. Every organization’s journey is unique, requiring a tailored approach that meets specific needs—whether through targeted prioritization, collaborative strategy development, or a comprehensive, multi-year planning effort.A strategy succeeds when it’s embraced by the people who carry it forward. The best strategies are developed with an eye toward activation—doing so will transform the strategy from ideas on paper into actions that drive progress. Use the following strategic planning framework to establish the foundation for successful activation:1. Assess: Begin with data collection, interviews, and a thorough assessment to establish a baseline understanding. This stage reveals valuable insights and identifies critical factors needed to move forward.2. Envision: Strategy gains momentum when leaders collaborate to define a shared vision for the future. Through structured visioning sessions, organizations can establish a clear, mid-term outcome that anchors the strategic plan.3. Align on priorities: With a vision in place, it’s time to set priorities, create a change narrative, and establish metrics for success. Tools like strategic dashboards can provide ongoing visibility into progress and impact.4. Activate: Effective activation includes planning for communication, ensuring teams understand and support the strategy, and assessing readiness for change. This is the point at which strategy transitions into action.How to Elevate People-Centered Strategy at Your OrganizationA strategic approach that resonates with people at all levels creates authentic and meaningful alignment. Organizations can elevate human-centered strategy through the following methods:Collaborative workshops: Bringing stakeholders together to co-create clarity accelerates alignment and enhances buy-in. Visual tools, design sprints, and collaborative frameworks are effective for simplifying complex ideas and building consensus.Narrative and visualization: Translating strategy into compelling, accessible visuals and stories makes it easier for everyone to connect with the purpose behind the plan. Design assets and storytelling transform strategy from abstract ideas into inspiring, relatable messages.Develop buy-in from the start: Strategic plans reach their full potential only when followed by actionable, continuous alignment. Ensuring there’s support for ongoing execution and a willingness to adapt over time helps keep momentum alive.Consider an example from the healthcare sector, where a major professional association faced declining membership and financial strain. With new leadership in place, the organization sought a strategy that would stabilize its operations and enable growth. By conducting a thorough assessment, gathering input from stakeholders, and developing a comprehensive four-year plan, the organization transformed its trajectory. The results were clear: a 33 percent increase in revenue over three years, improved engagement, and renewed alignment around a shared vision. With a thoughtful strategy and commitment to people-driven activation, the association strengthened its role and impact in the healthcare industry.A successful strategy is one that people believe in and are motivated to carry forward. When leaders commit to creating clear, inclusive, and adaptable strategies, they set the stage for lasting impact. By centering on people and creating alignment across every level, organizations can build a resilient foundation for sustainable growth and transformation—driven by strategy, supported by people.

Drive Action With a People-Centered Approach to Strategic Planning

In a world where the half-life of skills is rapidly shrinking, the mantra “learn or become obsolete” has never been more relevant. The World Economic Forum predicts that six in 10 workers will require training before 2027. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a signal for a learning revolution.Gone are the days when education ended with a diploma. Today, lifelong learning isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a survival skill required to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. But here’s the million-dollar question: How do we keep learners engaged in this constant cycle of upskilling and reskilling?As learning professionals, we’re not just disseminating information—we’re architects of career resilience and personal growth. Our challenge? To create learning experiences so compelling that they become an integral part of our participants’ lives, not just another box to tick.This isn’t about force-feeding information. It’s about igniting curiosity, fostering adaptability, and building a mindset that views change not as a threat but as an exhilarating opportunity for growth. It’s about transforming the concept of learning from a periodic event into a continuous, enriching journey.So, how do we rise to this challenge? Let’s explore five strategies that can revolutionize your approach to continuous learning, boost engagement, and ensure your learners are not just surviving, but thriving in the age of constant upskilling. These strategies will help you create more engaging, personalized, and compelling learning experiences.Personalize Learning PathsEvery learner has unique skills, interests, and goals. By creating personalized learning paths, you can ensure that each participant receives training that’s relevant and valuable to them. Here’s how:Conduct skills assessments to identify gaps and strengthsHave one-on-one discussions with learners about their aspirationsUse AI-powered learning platforms to recommend courses based on individual profilesBy tailoring the learning journey, you’ll see increased engagement and more meaningful outcomes for each learner.Embrace MicrolearningIn our busy lives, finding time for extensive training sessions can be challenging. Microlearning solves this by breaking down content into bite-sized, easily digestible chunks. Try these approaches:Create short video tutorials (3–5 minutes) on specific skills or topics.Develop mobile-friendly learning modules that are accessible on the go.Implement daily or weekly learning challenges that take just a few minutes to complete.These bite-sized learning experiences can lead to big results, making continuous learning a seamless part of daily routines.Foster a Culture of Knowledge SharingEncourage participants to learn from each other by creating opportunities for knowledge exchange. This not only promotes learning but also strengthens community bonds. Consider these ideas:Organize regular "lunch and learn" sessions where learners can present their expertise.Set up a mentorship program pairing experienced practitioners with newcomers.Create an accessible knowledge base or wiki where participants can contribute and access information.By fostering this collaborative environment, you’ll create a self-sustaining ecosystem of continuous learning.Gamify the Learning ExperienceMake learning fun and engaging by incorporating gamification elements into your programs. This can significantly boost participation and retention. Here’s how:Implement a points system for completed courses or modules.Create leaderboards to spark friendly competition.Offer badges or certificates for mastering specific skills.These gamified elements can transform the learning experience from a chore to an interactive, exciting challenge.Link Learning to Personal and Professional GrowthShow participants how their learning efforts contribute to their personal and professional development. This creates a clear incentive for engagement in continuous learning. Try these strategies:Align learning objectives with real-world applications and career paths.Create clear roadmaps showing how specific skills lead to new opportunities.Recognize and celebrate learners who apply their new skills in meaningful ways.Connecting the dots between learning and tangible outcomes can fuel motivation and drive long-term engagement.Boost Learning Outcomes and Program SuccessImplementing these five strategies can enhance your learning programs and create a culture of continuous growth. Remember, the key is to make learning accessible, relevant, and rewarding. Start small, gather feedback, and continuously refine your approach. Your learners—and your program’s success—will reflect the positive impact of these efforts!

5 Strategies for Engagement in the Age of Constant Upskilling

This is the first post in a three-part series examining leadership. (See post 2 and post 3.)  “With each new day in Africa, a gazelle wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest lion or perish. At the same time, a lion stirs and stretches, knowing it must outrun the fastest gazelle or starve. It is no different for the human race. Whether you consider yourself a gazelle or a lion, you simply have to run faster than others.”— from “My Vision: Challenges in the Race for Excellence”by His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai There is little argument that leadership is comprised of many facets. For many, leadership is the key aspect of a manager’s job—as well as a critical component of any directing function. More importantly, many agree that a main role of leaders is to empower others to work toward specific objectives. Accordingly, leadership is a constant process, rather than a “product” that happens overnight. In addition, leadership is focused on making other people feel more energetic and determined to work. In other words, leadership is a “contact sport” that routinely occurs via positive social modeling and continuous learning and development. Apart from this “relationship” dimension of leadership, there is an emphasis on accomplishing purposeful tasks, improving performance, and achieving results. What the Research Tells Us International research consistently shows that investing in leadership development and management capabilities is the key to achieving sustainable organizational growth and success. Indeed, the evidence touting the value of leadership development is compelling. A major case-based European HRD research project examined learning and development (L&D) practice in nearly 200 “learning-oriented” enterprises (most employing between 500 to +1,000 employees) in seven European countries: Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The study found that it takes a learning culture to produce a learning culture, and its development could be traced to such factors as organizational leadership, a strong push for innovation in the workplace, and future learning capacity development (Tjepkema et al., 2002).According to research, led by Birkbeck, University of London, about management training and development approaches in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Norway, and Romania, there is strong statistical corroboration for management development leading to superior organizational performance across companies of all sizes, sectors, and national location (Mabey and Ramirez, 2004).Research into National Vocational Education and Training (NVET) systems in the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan found that NVET strategies impact both workforce upscaling and re-skilling, and are the foundation of success in the knowledge-based global economy of the 21st century (Harrison and Kessels, 2004).A Harvard Business School/Hay Group research project that examined more than 100 senior teams around the globe revealed that effective teams can significantly contribute to their enterprises, yet only one in five are extremely good, while one-third are mediocre, and 42 percent are poor. The study identified “a clearly defined senior leadership team” as one of the conditions for effective operations—rather than a heroic CEO (Wageman et al., 2008).Another study found that ineffective management is estimated to cost, for example, UK businesses more than £19billion per year in lost working hours. More importantly, the data showed that bad management by company directors is the source of 56 percent of all corporate failures (BIS, 2012). Clearly, leadership is one of the most loaded, not to mention well-established, issues in management today—whether we are dealing with a global corporation, government institution or a start-up in Abu Dhabi, London, Minneapolis, Moscow, Mumbai, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, or Toronto. And even though we have been studying “leadership” since the time of Plato, the same questions emerge: Are leaders born or made?How are we doing as leaders?   How we thought about leadership and its development, though, has changed over the years. Let’s now explore the journey of leadership. Trait Approaches to Leadership Trait approaches seek to uncover what makes a leader_—_in contrast to those who are not leaders. The typical assumption is that that some people simply possess the “right stuff” to be leaders, while others do not. The implication is that good leaders are, in fact, “born to lead.” These "born leaders" possess unique traits that are not equally present in all individuals. For example, Kirkpatrick and Locke (1991) researched the regularity of certain traits in leaders, such as:energypersonalized vs. socialized leadership motivationhonesty and integrityself-confidence (including emotional stability)cognitive abilityknowledge of the business. The study found weaker support for other traits commonly touted as necessary leadership traits, including charisma, creativity/originality, and flexibility. Meanwhile, Daniel Goleman (1998) produced a meta-analysis of leadership competency frameworks in 188 different enterprises. He found that it is the “emotional” competencies—a combo of traits and abilities enabling people to work with others and lead positive change—that make an effective leader. His research found that five emotional intelligence (EQ) competencies (self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skill) were twice as significant as other capabilities, specifically: technical skills (accounting or business planning) and cognitive skills (big-picture thinking or analytical reasoning). Research, however, has demonstrated little consistency in these “bundles” of personal capabilities among power leaders who drive organizational performance far above the norm. Leadership Behaviors and Styles for Different Situations Along a different vein, other leadership analysts have shifted the emphasis of study from “what the leader is” to “how leaders behave.” For example, McGregor (1960) held that the leader determines the style they manage staff, and thereby, successively determines how the staff behaves. Leaders who buy into “Theory X” believe that people are naturally irresponsible and uncooperative, and must be rewarded or punished to add value. Leaders who subscribe to “Theory Y” believe that followers are naturally energetic, growth-oriented, and interested in being utilitarian. Though the model admittedly plays up and groups leadership behaviors along an orientation toward employees, it offers little concrete basis for action. Furthermore, Blake and Mouton (1964) created the “Managerial Grid,” which is based on two facets of leadership behavior: people and production. This grid then produces four leadership styles:Authority-Compliance (High on Production, Low on People)Country Club (High on People, Low on Production)Impoverished Management (Low on People, Low on Productivity)Team Leadership (High on People, High on Productivity). However, although this framework is significantly more inclusive (the assumption being that leadership involves learning leadership behavior) and numerous leadership development interventions have been built on it, it fails to account for events and circumstances that cannot be predicted with certainty. Finally, situational leadership, a contingency model by Hersey & Blanchard (1988) provides a remedy for adapting the leadership style to fit the demands of the environment. Having diagnosed the developmental level of the followers, as well as their needs, this model contends that the leader works through the four styles:Directing (telling)Coaching (selling)Supportive (participating)Delegation (empowering). Again, many current leadership development solutions are being designed around this model of leadership. Perhaps, though, it is time to move onto a post-heroic view of leadership that offers an L&D orientation of leaders. This will be the focus of my next post in this series on leadership. Stay tuned...

Leadership: Trends and Dead Ends

Tihanna Louise is a dynamic executive coach and communications consultant specializing in effective communication, public speaking, and leadership development. As the founder of Tihanna Louise Coaching and Consulting (TLCC), she empowers leaders and teams in the public and private sectors to excel through authentic communication and holistic development. Tihanna’s unique approach blends practical frameworks with fostering genuine connections and transformative growth. With a background as a television news reporter and a passion for storytelling, Tihanna excels in crafting compelling narratives that resonate. She is a sought-after speaker, having led impactful sessions at conferences and Fortune 500 companies like Meta and Google. Tihanna is also dedicated to community initiatives, including her "Tuesdays with Tihanna" series, where she shares insights and strategies for personal and professional success. Her resilience and inspiring journey, from overcoming significant personal challenges to achieving entrepreneurial success, make her a relatable and motivating figure. Tihanna’s mission is to inspire authenticity and excellence, helping individuals and organizations thrive. 

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