The Talent Development Hot Seat

In this solo episode, I discuss the most valuable skills of the future. I share insights from a keynote presentation I recently delivered and present 6 essential skills that are currently valuable and will become increasingly important in the future. From curiosity and learning to empathy and communication, I delve into the significance of these skills for both individuals and organizations. As the world of work continues to evolve, the ability to adapt and collaborate becomes crucial, and I emphasize the need for a growth mindset and ownership. Tune in as I share my thoughts on the skills that will shape the future of work and how you can start developing them today.Connect with Andy Storch:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

In this bonus Q&A with Kevin, he shares:His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so farA trend that he is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on his lifeOne piece of career advice he has for youHe is the Founder and CEO of LEADx.org, offering an AI-powered leadership habits building platform. Kevin is also:Inc 500 and Best Place to Work award-winning entrepreneurNY Times bestselling author of 9 books including 15 Secrets successful people know about time management and Employee Engagement 2.0Kevin is also a regular Forbes contributor and was kind enough to write an article about me and my book when it came out in 2020Keynote speaker or advisor to Fortune 500 CEOs, non-profit leaders, US Marines, and members of CongressThis is Kevin’s second time on the podcast. The first was episode 81 way back in May 2019 so it has been a few years and I am sure a lot has changed since then, so I’m eager to dig in

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Talent Development Think Tank podcast. Joining us today is the prodigious Kevin Kruse, an expert in talent development and leadership who famously wrote 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management. Our conversation today takes a deep dive into the challenges facing talent development professionals, especially amid the pandemic's upheavals.Kevin critically examines the role of these professionals, often relegated to 'order takers' with limited influence over training topics and budgets. We discuss:The pressing need to ask targeted questions to deeply understand clients’ goals and ensure the relevance of keynotes and training sessions to their objectivesThe changes in the work landscape, notably the alarming trend where leadership development budgets get slashed, and the sorrowful fact that many clients disappear—not through direct termination, but because they themselves are let go. Hindrances of fostering a future vision and providing feedback from afar

In this bonus Q&A with Annalisa, she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youAnnalisa Jackson is an ICF certified somatic coach and trauma-informed facilitator with 8 years of experience leading wellbeing and leadership programs for global organizations.  As the founder of Collective Flourishing, she helps values-driven teams and leaders manage stress with more ease, lead with clarity and strengthen their connection with one another.Prior to launching Collective Flourishing, Annalisa worked in international peacebuilding where she led trainings on leadership, cross-cultural communication, resilience, and conflict resolution. Annalisa is certified in somatic coaching by the Strozzi Institute, holds a BA in intercultural studies, an MA in inter-reli

In today’s episode, we will explore the intricacies of introversion and extroversion, the power of silence, and how Annalisa mastered the art of creating space for all voices in a conversation. We'll discover:The profound impact of our physical responses to stress and emotions, and learn practical ways to navigate these challenges through mindfulnessHow our current high-pressure work environments demand resilience and adaptability from employeesHow to slow down, become intentional in our communication, and why leaders should cultivate a deeper connection to their bodies to improve decision-making and foster more empathetic workplacesHow somatic coaching not only enhances personal growth but also informs Annalisa’s approach to designing diverse and inclusive spaces for learning and developmentAnnalisa Jackson is an ICF certified somatic coach and trauma-informed facilitator with 8 years of experience leading wellbeing and leadership programs for global organizations.  As the founder of Collective Flo

In this bonus Q&A with Lan, she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youLan Phan is an author and speaker known for her expertise in purpose, mindset, and continuous improvement. Her expertise has made her a sought-after consultant for Fortune 500 companies, where she advises CEOs, and C-Suite executives to help them navigate the dynamic realms of business and innovation.Her thought leadership can be found in prestigious publications like The Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Money. And her new book, Do This Daily: Secrets for Finding Success, Happiness, and Purpose in Work and Life” comes out April 2 and promises to help readers completely redefining how they approach life and work.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Co

Lan brings a wealth of knowledge and passion about purpose, mindset, and continuous improvement in this episode. We dive into Lan's gripping story of growing up in Inglewood as the child of Vietnamese refugees, her struggles and triumphs as a Stanford student, and the lessons learned from facing and overcoming adversity.We'll also explore:Lan's perspective on societal expectations for girls and boysHer life-changing experience of redefining success after a career setback in 2019The fundamental importance of aligning one's life with core valuesThe power of mindsetThe significance of small daily habits in driving long-lasting change.Lan is also excited to share details about her upcoming book "Do This Daily: Secrets for Finding Success, Happiness, and Purpose in Work and Life," which reflects her journey and philosophy. This episode is packed with incredible insights into developing talent and redefining personal success.Lan Phan is an author and speaker known for her expertise in purpose, mindset, and continuo

Today we dive deep into the heart of career development, exploring the importance of taking ownership of your career path and the evolving state of talent development in this rapid-paced world of 2024.We'll discuss:The essential shift from operating in reaction mode to creating a career with intention and visionReframing career challengesNetworking the right wayWhy personal branding is vital for long-term successRisks and rewards of career exploration at different life stagesThe future landscape of workBuilding meaningful communities in a remote workforce eraWhether you're looking to take ownership of your career, are a talent development professional seeking resources, or simply interested in personal growth, this episode is for you.Ahmad is an futurist, educator, speaker and entrepreneur. He is the managing partner of a global education, consulting and venture company that develops a portfolio of brands for lifelong learners to access leadership, talent and personal development training through online cours

In this bonus Q&A with Julie, she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youJulie Menden is the CEO & Founder of Julie Menden, LLC. a boutique coaching and training company offering Executive & High performance coaching, leadership development, Speaking mentorship, and Keynote speaking.As a Speaker, author, facilitator, and life-long learner, Julie is on a mission to help others to realize what they are fully capable of by stepping into their high-impact leadership and powerfully owning and using their voice to achieve the results they want.Julie was a contributing author in the book “Peak Performance: Mindset Tools For Leaders”, is the host of the “It Starts With You” Podcast, and is featured in a variety of publications such as Forbes, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global

Today we're delving into some critical aspects of leadership and organizational growth with our esteemed guest, Julie Menden, the CEO and founder of Julie Menden, LLC.Julie brings to the table a wealth of experience in talent development, executive coaching, and leadership training. You'll hear:How external coaching can benefit leadersThe significance of credentials and proprietary methodologies in coachingHow internal coaching can be fostered through effective questioning and validation techniquesThe importance of trust, empathy, and purpose in effective leadershipPractical advice on addressing the struggles faced by individual contributors transitioning to management rolesJulie Menden is the CEO & Founder of Julie Menden, LLC. a boutique coaching and training company offering Executive & High performance coaching, leadership development, Speaking mentorship, and Keynote speaking.As a Speaker, author, facilitator, and life-long learner, Julie is on a mission to help others to realize what they are fu

In this bonus Q&A with Darren, he shares:His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so farA trend that he is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on his lifeOne piece of career advice he has for youDarren McKee's journey took a transformative turn during his tenure at Better, a dynamic company nestled along the vibrant west coast. He arrived with the ambition to excel in sales, particularly in the realm of coaching services, and quickly proved his mettle by surpassing his sales targets. However, it was the invaluable mentorship of PhD industrial-organizational psychologists, affectionately termed "people scientists" at Better, that reshaped his approach to sales and customer interaction.Working shoulder-to-shoulder with these experts, Darren was steered towards a deeper comprehension of his buyers' core needs and desires. He learned to strip away the superfluous details of his pitches to focus on what

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the current state of the talent development and coaching industry as of February 2024. We will also discuss:The latest trends, like the shift to a bank-style allocation of coaching sessions and the resurgence of in-person workshops and trainings, particularly for C-suite leaders. Considerations for L&D leaders when choosing external coaching providersStrategies for organizations with budget constraints to still invest in crucial talent development initiativesHow companies can benefit from strategic coaching pilots, auditing coaching programs, and even comparing multiple coaching providers to make educated decisionsChallenges of succession planning, the critical role of the "forgotten middle" managers, and the necessity for alignment and C-suite involvement to ensure the success of learning programsThe complexities global companies face in finding equitable solutions across all headquarters, and how coaching is adapting to support busy professionals through shorte

In this bonus Q&A with Susan, she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youSusan Mason is the Principal of Susan Mason Consulting, an agency focusing on the future of work, workforce development, and fair chance hiring initiatives for untapped talent. With a profound understanding of the lifetime economic impact of a conviction due to her own incarceration, she has dedicated her career to advancing opportunities for people with conviction histories (PWCH) and formerly incarcerated talent (FIT), emphasizing their inclusion in the workforce.Ms. Mason has become a sought-after subject matter expert on the collateral consequences of a conviction, making an impact on public, private and non-profit organizations across various sectors. Her innovative strategies and tools have been in

I am honored to welcome our remarkable guest, Susan Mason, to share her powerful insights on overcoming barriers to employment after incarceration. Susan brings to light the stark realities faced by individuals with conviction histories and pushes us to consider the untapped potential they hold.As a society grappling with the aftermath of a flawed judicial system that disproportionately affects Black and Native American communities, we face the critical task of dismantling the discrimination that persists in our hiring practices. In this episode, we explore: Her own journey of addiction, incarceration, and the relentless fight to regain creditworthiness in the job marketRegulatory challenges and the role of background checks to the transformative power of education and policy reformThe systemic barriers that hold back a significant portion of our workforceHow we can genuinely screen talent 'in' rather than 'out', challenging fear-based stereotypes and committing to changeSusan's experiences and her work both

Today, we're diving into Keith's recent experiences at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the unofficial buzz was all about the transformative power of generative AI. We'll explore conversations that blend the realms of AI and human skills, such as those with the founder of Sophia the robot, David Hansen, and the tales of Brittany Kaiser, who unfolded the Facebook scandal with Cambridge Analytica, along with will.i.am's advocacy for owning one's likeness in the AI-integrated music industry.Keith will share with us:The excitement and concern wrapped around AI's rapid evolution, emphasizing the importance of embracing these changes and the pressing need for education to alleviate fears. Stories including AI in the workplace, AI rights versus human rights, and personal tales of integration with productivity tools.The essence of the Davos Summit, touching upon topics like crypto, climate control concerns, and the message of human empathy and connection in an ever-advancing technological landscape. It's a di

In this bonus Q&A with Megan, she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youMegan Galloway is on a mission to make our workplace a more authentic and human place for current and future generations to thrive. Megan is the Founder of Everleader, a Culture Strategy Agency that helps companies map their culture strategy and implement it into their day-to-day business operations.Megan has held L&D roles in multiple companies and specialized in building award-winning learning programs and communities for teams and fast-growing companies. Her thought leadership has been featured in podcasts, articles, and international conferences, and her LinkedIn-based coffee chat community has hosted thousands of participants from six of the seven continents around the world.She’s also a prolifi

In this episode, you're about to dive into the multifaceted world of leadership development with Megan as she unpacks her multimodal approach that transcends traditional training boundaries. From the invaluable role of coaching to the significance of creating a culture of mentorship and executive sponsorship, Megan shares how these components create a robust leadership development ecosystem.We'll uncover:Unique challenges that mid-level managers face in the modern corporate landscape The criticality of organization-wide cultural and structural shifts that support not only their growth but the entire leadership pipelineInsights into how the pandemic has reshaped the workplace, spotlighting the resilience of companies with proactive management in the face of adversityThe need for leaders to adapt and maintain effective day-to-day interactions regardless of the settingAs we delve into Megan's experiences with Everleader, she'll recount her journey through building award-winning programs, venturing into the strat

In this bonus Q&A with Emma, she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youEmma Strong is an experienced L&D professional with a passion for effective, impactful learning solutions. Her primary focus is employee onboarding. As a Senior L&D Program Manager, she also develops eLearning courses, designs learning programs, and provides admin support for L&D initiatives at her company. Prior to her role in L&D, Emma spent 7 years working in higher education. In addition to her day job, Emma also consults with clients 1:1 as a private resume coach.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Emma Strong:LinkedIn

Emma and Andy will be discussing the intricacies of creating a top-notch virtual onboarding program that leverages instructor-led training, complete with icebreakers, games, and polling, ensuring new hires feel welcome and ignited with excitement for their new roles.You will learn:The impressive results of Emma's onboarding initiatives, with a near-perfect satisfaction score. Nuances of integrating employees from acquisitions How to cater distinct training plans to specific needsHow to bring a touch of creativity in training sessions—think Marvel characters—making them unforgettable. Emma Strong is an experienced L&D professional with a passion for effective, impactful learning solutions. Her primary focus is employee onboarding. As a Senior L&D Program Manager, she also develops eLearning courses, designs learning programs, and provides admin support for L&D initiatives at her company. Prior to her role in L&D, Emma spent 7 years working in higher education. In addition to her day job, Emma a

As we usher in the new year, it's the perfect time for us to hone our time-management skills and set our sights on achieving big goals in 2024. If you've been following our recent workshop on reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the year ahead, you know how crucial it is to revisit your objectives quarterly, leverage habits for success, and challenge yourself with stretch goals.In today's episode, we're going to cover:Common challenges of mastering our schedules in a distraction-filled worldMy top ten time management tips to help you be intentional and take command of your career and life. How to gracefully decline those meetings that clog up our calendars, prioritize tasks using tools like the Eisenhower matrix, and why it's vital to plan your day to avert the pitfalls of reactive living.The power of routine, including the transformative morning ritual that's boosted my productivityWhy understanding the trade-offs of time can help you ensure you're investing it wisely. The importance of managing