Traditional L&D strategies rely too much on hope. Hope that training will stick, hope that stakeholders will engage, and hope that impact will follow. But as Dani Johnson of RedThread Research explains in this episode, hope isn’t a plan.

Drawing on insights from the latest report, Dani outlines why L&D’s influence in strategic business discussions is declining - and what leaders must do to reverse the trend. She breaks down the five essential elements of a progressive L&D strategy, from organisational alignment and stakeholder engagement to tech, data, and operational discipline.

Dani also explores the tension between consistency and adaptability, how to move beyond training requests to real business conversations, and why outdated approaches to learning persist despite their lack of impact.

For L&D professionals ready to move from reactive to strategic, this episode offers a clear, research-backed blueprint for building a modern, credible, and business-aligned L&D function.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Hope is not a strategy – intentionality is essential.
• Don´t just drift, create a business need driven strategy, follow it and measure progress.
• Dani´s study shows that L&D is increasingly losing strategic influence.
• L&D needs to shift from being order-takers to being business partners.
• Get out from behind your desk.
• Use the same language as stakeholders.
• L&D needs to provide stability but also be flexible enough to quickly meet emerging needs.
• Tech and data are strategic levers, not just tools. Buy the right tech.

BEST MOMENTS

"What has gotten us here is not going to get us into the future."

"Be intentional about making that strategy and then delivering on that strategy."

"It is time to quit looking at old models and traditional ways of doing things."

"We are here for a planned, demonstrable impact."

"Two big things are driving this integration of technology and data: the first is skills... the second is AI."

Dani Johnson Bio

Dani is Co-founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research, where she explores the intersection of people, practices, and technology.

Prior to RedThread, Dani led the Learning and Career research practice at Bersin, Deloitte. Her work has appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal, CLO Magazine, Employment Relations and HR Magazine.

Dani holds an MBA and dual degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University.

RedThread is known for its bold, unbiased research on topics like DEIB, learning, performance, and people analytics—helping leaders rethink how work gets done.

You can follow or contact Dani at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-johnson/

Direct link to infographic: https://members.redthreadresearch.com/posts/infographic-the-building-blocks-of-a-future-ready-ld-strategy (free membership required)

- Membership Link: https://redthreadresearch.com/pricing

VALUABLE RESOURCES

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

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this special episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, we’re turning the tables! Host of The Learning Hack podcast, John Helmer, takes over the mic to interview our very own David James about 360Learning’s new L&D Maturity Model.

With a wealth of experience in the learning industry, John brings a sharp, inquisitive lens to this conversation, challenging David on why L&D needs another maturity model, how it’s been developed, and what makes it different from the many that have come before.

If you’ve ever wondered how to push your team forward and make a lasting impact, this episode is for you.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Maturity Model was built collaboratively.
• The model covers the 5 stages L&D goes through to reach maturity and become the engine that transforms their businesses.
• To truly impact the business, you need to anticipate business needs and train people for them in advance – the transformative stage.
• Stakeholders will resist your working transformatively. David explains why and how to overcome this.
• If you don´t understand the work you can´t deliver a solution.
• Open your conversations with “How´s business?”
• PR the hell out of everything and the impact you deliver.
• Use AI. David explains how.

BEST MOMENTS

“This is the lived experience of bouncing against stakeholders.”

“It starts with the strategy rather than the learning.”

“Be persistently consistent.”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

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

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

John Helmer

John Helmer is a writer, podcaster and communications strategy expert specialising in learning, training and education, with a focus on digital technology innovation. He runs two highly successful podcasts, The Learning Hack and Great Minds on Learning. He has led many programmes bringing together thought leaders and practitioners for knowledge sharing and debate, and writes for and edits numerous blogs, as well as producing many white papers and research reports (including articles for peer-reviewed journals).

A pioneer in digital marketing, he co-created and promoted more than thirty training courses on using the internet for marketing and business. He is also a novelist, lyricist for Marillion, has been on Top of Pops, and won a Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer

https://www.johnhelmerconsulting.com

DAVID JONES

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 Officer at 360Learning, David is a writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.

CONTACT

• https://twitter.com/davidinlearning
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin
• L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective
• https://360learning.com/blog
• L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

For the first time ever, The Learning & Development Podcast was recorded in front of a live audience in New York! In this special episode, I sit down with Julianne Gill, Director of Learning & Development at Smile Brands, to explore what it truly takes to build an L&D function that delivers measurable impact.

Julianne shares insights from her career journey, how she assessed and transformed L&D at Smile Brands, and the pivotal role of performance consulting and collaborative learning in making L&D a strategic business driver.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• L&D leaders need to think strategically to truly help the business.
• Seek real customer feedback. If you don´t know what people really think you can´t improve.
• Focus on how people really learn. It is always evolving.
• The L&D department needs to learn and evolve themselves.
• Collaborative learning works.
• Always partner with subject matter experts. Where possible update what they have already created, then get them to edit it.
• Start by helping people to achieve their KPIs.
• Educate yourself about performance consulting.
• Focus on outcomes.
• Be smart with people´s time.
• When you have different perspectives and experiences in the room you achieve more.

BEST MOMENTS

“You need to show value pretty quickly.”

“You are telling them their baby is ugly, and nobody likes to be told that their baby is ugly.”

“When training is the absolute wrong solution, you're going to waste a lot of money.”

“I can turn anything into a $ sign.”

“Start with the data.”

“Take the wins when you can and work your way around.”

Julianne Gill Bio

Julianne is an innovative Learning, Development, Talent Acquisition, & Knowledge Management leader with a track record of success in leading complex initiatives. Julianne has deep expertise in training design & strategy, performance improvement, business planning, talent acquisition, employee engagement, operational efficiencies, leadership development, and change management with a proven history of building and leading high performing teams. Through leadership and collaboration, Julianne has successfully developed and executed programs and improved operational workflows that lead to performance improvement and achievement of strategic goals.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

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

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

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 Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin
• L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective
• Blog: https://360learning.com/blog
• L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home