The L&d Leader - by Laura Overton & Michelle Ockers

About the Book

Use this practical guide to deliver value to the business as an L&D professional and equip employees with the skills they need to succeed in a constantly changing world of work.

Book Synopsis

Today's L&D professionals need to deliver value to the business and equip employees with the skills they need to succeed in a constantly changing world of work. But how can they do this? This book has the answer.

Written by two leading voices in the industry The L&D Leader combines more than 20 years' research with over 10,000 L&D professionals and interviews with more than 230 learning leaders. It is a practical, evidence-based guide for all L&D practitioners seeking to improve business value. It allows these professionals to assess where to focus efforts to best support the workforce, align priorities with the overall business strategy and adapt L&D activities for optimum results.

This essential guide covers the key principles that all L&D professionals need and the practices they should adopt in order to deliver the best results for the business. It discusses why new technologies, models and processes won't offer the solutions that the organization needs for its employees' learning and explains why a new approach is necessary. It outlines the key principles needed to navigate a continually changing world of work in order to create better business value, helping the profession to become more outcomes-led, innovative, be data-driven, flexible. Most importantly, it shows how to build these principles into everyday practice to lead others as they improve their productivity and impact. Full of practical advice and real-world examples from diverse organizations including Mckinsey & Company, Barnardos, AstraZeneca and Multiplex this is ideal reading for all L&D professionals needing to take a strategic approach to learning that benefits both employees and the business as a whole.

Review Quotes

"Laura and Michelle have delivered more than just another theoretical framework - TRI and be BOLD is the dynamic navigation system we need to develop commercially-aware, strategically-minded leaders who can align learning with business priorities."-- "Cathy Hoy, Co-founder & CEO, CLO100"

"The L&D Leader is both a clarion call for BOLD change in the L&D function and a blueprint for successful navigation of the new norm. It is a must-read for savvy learning leaders who want to shape the future of the field."-- "Sandra Loughlin, PhD, Chief Learning Scientist, EPAM Systems, Inc."

"The L&D Leader is different because it delves into rich data collected over two decades and then gets creative about finding a way forward. This framework is both broad enough to allow agility, and focused enough to provide a valuable navigation tool for any aspiring L&D leader."-- "Piers Lea, Chief Strategy Officer, Learning Technologies Group"

"The L&D Leader outlines the cross-sector learning principles our profession desperately needs to shape the future of workplace learning together."-- "Martin Baker, CEO, The Charity Learning Consortium"

"A book packed with valuable principles that are evidence-based and grounded in the research and pragmatic experience. They unify diverse and complex ideas with a wonderful navigational story that resonates, bringing an unexpected magic to the book."-- "Stella Collins, Learning Strategist"

"By advocating for leadership that is comfortable with ambiguity and change, The L&D Leader provides an indispensable guide for L&D professionals seeking to remain relevant and effective in an AI-driven world. What a great book!"-- "Marc Ramos, Global Head, Learning strategy and Innovation, ServiceNow"

"Each chapter's inclusion of "what gets in our way?" points provides a realistic view of the work ahead for the L&D leader, and the built-in Field Notebook provides great opportunities for reflection and review."-- "Jane Bozarth, Director of Research, The Learning Guild"

"Every time I sat down to read The L&D Leader it helped create a still place to think. I'm in awe of the wisdom that Laura and Michelle have generated and brought to life in this book."-- "Darryn Gray, Learning Designer, Founder of the Crackin' LnD (Down Under) community"

"Grounded in real-world application, it empowers L&D professionals to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions and experiment with new approaches to drive genuine value."-- "Marie Daniels, APAC L&D Leader"

"Kudos to Laura and Michelle for tackling how our professional mindset influences our impact- without this reset, we're simply putting new tools in the same broken toolbox that keeps us reactive instead of strategic."-- "Shannon Tipton, Learning Rebels"

"Packed with tried and tested advice from two stalwarts of the profession, the authors use real case studies to illustrate how we can shift from band-aid reactions to strategic solutions."-- "Ryan Tracey, Senior L&D Leader"

"Practical, flexible and deeply human, this book is a call to action for anyone shaping learning in complex times."-- "Stella Lee Phd, AI literacy architect and Founder Paradox Learning"

"This book is both a rallying cry and a reliable guide for L&D leaders who know they're meant for more than taking orders and delivering training."-- "David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning"

"This excellent book takes the reader on a voyage of discovery. It provides a robust set of principles for any HR, Talent or L&D leader looking to navigate today's fast-moving and increasingly technology-supported world."-- "Charles Jennings, Director, Duntroon Consultants"

"This is a masterclass in how learning can truly make a difference, from two of the most thoughtful and respected voices in the field."-- "Drew McGuire, Director, Capability Group"

"This is about remaining relevant in a world being turned upside down - nothing could be more important in this brittle age of turbulence and bewilderment."-- "Nigel Paine, Learning strategist, author and broadcaster"

"This is an extraordinary and innovative approach to helping learning professionals and wider senior teams make the decisions of where they want people to go, and crucially, the strategic map of how to get there."-- "Jo Cook, Editor, Training Journal"

"Working in a large, complex organization, I recognize the challenges and opportunities that Laura and Michelle have captured so perfectly. This book addresses those challenges and helps L&D professionals navigate the continuously changing waters in order to make a real difference and shape organizational future."-- "Vickie Roberts OBE, Head of Skills, HMRC"

"Written by recognized sector leaders, this book offers both seasoned professionals and emerging leaders a roadmap for driving organizational capability in today's complex learning landscape."-- "Ben Campbell, CEO Australian Institute of Training and Development"

About the Author

Laura Overton is an award-winning learning expert with over 35 years' experience in the industry. She is the founder of Towards Maturity, an academic fellow of the CIPD and the Royal Society of Arts. Based in London, UK, she is consistently recognized as a significant global influencer of workplace learning trends.

Michelle Ockers is the Founder and Director of Learning Uncut where she helps organizations to develop a high-impact L&D strategy. Based in New South Wales, Australia, she is a popular keynote speaker and the host of the podcast series, Learning Uncut.