What can the leaders of the past teach us about leadership in the present?

In this episode of How to Make a Leader, historian and management professor Martin Gutmann challenges our conventional understanding of leadership with a look back at leaders throughout history. In many organizations, we often associate leadership with the loudest voices or the most dramatic actions, but Martin argues that true leadership is often unseen and underestimated. Drawing from his book The Unseen Leader, Martin uses historical examples to demonstrate how the most impactful leaders are often those who move quietly and strategically behind the scenes.

In this episode, Martin pulls insights and lessons from historical figures and contemporary leadership studies, highlighting the need to rethink how we identify and cultivate leadership talent today. 

You’ll learn:

• The most common traits among successful leaders
• How the “action fallacy” misguides leadership selection and development
• Why contextual fluency is a crucial leadership skill to develop
• The importance of psychological safety
• How to identify and support effective leaders within your team

Things to listen for:

(00:00)  Introduction to Martin Gutmann

(01:58) What history teaches us about leadership 

(05:52) The action fallacy and its impact on leadership

(15:02) The common traits among successful leaders 

(20:10) The value of deep familiarity in your field as a leader

(29:22) How to develop powerful leaders in our organization

(31:08) How to identify and support quiet but effective leaders

To learn more about Martin and his work, check out his website or order Martin’s book, The Unseen Leader: How History Can Help us Rethink Leadership.

Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

The challenge of leading multigenerational teams is gaining more and more attention. With up to five generations now sharing the modern workplace, how can leaders bridge the gap and leverage age diversity as a strength?

Enter Chip Conley, founder of MEA (the world’s first midlife wisdom school) and Airbnb’s former advisor, hospitality strategist and resident “modern elder”. He draws on his experience joining the then-startup as a 52 year-old, navigating a youthful technology company as an experienced hospitality executive.

In this episode, Chip offers actionable insights for any leader aiming to leverage generational diversity as a strength rather than a challenge.

You’ll learn:

• How to embrace age diversity to create more collaborative and dynamic teams
• How Airbnb pioneered a “mutual mentorship” model to bridge generational gaps
• How to be both an effective mentor and mentee
• How to blend curiosity and wisdom in your leadership approach

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Wisdom is not taught, it's shared
(02:40) What inspired Chip to found the “Modern Elder Academy”
(09:28) How an intergenerational workforce changes the way that we interact and work with one another
(12:08) The different types of mentorship
(16:37) How to build a mentorship program
(18:35) Being a “mentern,” both a mentor and intern

To learn even more about Chip Conley’s approach to leadership, listen to the full interview.

To learn more about the Modern Elder Academy, check out their website here.

Order Chip’s most recent book, Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age.

Interested in attending our next live interview? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

Learning programs aren’t one-size-fits-all. How can we craft learning experiences that are authentic to each learner, no matter their role at the organization? In today's episode, we dive into how Sue Denning, the Senior Director of Global Talent Development for PVH Corporation— the company behind iconic brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger—achieves just that.

PVH employs over 30,000 associates worldwide with a unique mix of office-based and deskless retail workers. Sue’s mission? To ensure all employees, from retail floor staff to middle managers, receive effective learning opportunities that meet them when and where they need it.

Sue reveals the innovative strategies PVH uses to reach their diverse workforce, from the microlearning techniques for retail staff to the dynamic “Manager Studio” program that's redefining what it means for managers to lead effectively. Discover how Sue's team navigates the challenge of engaging all of their employees worldwide through change agility and resilience, making learning not just possible but impactful for everyone.

For more from Sue Denning watch the full How to Make a Leader live interview.

Interested in attending our next live interview? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

In this episode, you’ll learn:
How PVH tailors their programs to meet learners at every stage of their learning journey, whether in-office or on the retail floor.
Why microlearning is effective in providing managers with resources to facilitate on-the-job training and peer-led learning sessions.
How to ensure people managers have the right tools for success in their management journey.
Why establishing a clear, consistent understanding of managerial roles and responsibilities is crucial for effective leadership at every level of the organization.
How to integrate learning technologies with broader HR systems to enhance learner personalization and engagement.
How to develop a multi-faceted approach to measure the effectiveness of your learning programs.

Things to listen for:
01:40 Understanding the structure and scale of PVH’s learning programs​​. 
09:31 The evolution and impact of PVH’s “Manager Studio” program. 
13:52 Enhancing customized learner experience through technology and integration​.
15:59 Understanding PVH’s metrics for measuring success and business impact of learning programs​​.
17:51 The challenges and strategies behind global onboarding​​.
18:22 Striking a balance between self-guided learning and company training​​.

In a world where change is the only constant, leaders must navigate their teams through uncertainty, inspire motivation, and maintain focus on collective goals. The modern leader is constantly faced with making decisions that will impact both the business, and the people working within it. Questions like: How do you navigate a corporate acquisition successfully? How do you adapt to constant technological innovation and the change that goes along with it? Ginni Rometty sums it up with one simple concept: Trust. 

As the former chairman, president, and CEO of IBM, Ginni Rometty draws on her eight years of experience at the helm of one of the largest technology companies in the world to share lessons she’s learned in leadership throughout her career. In this episode of How to Make a Leader, Ginni offers her insights on the crucial role of trust in leadership, drawn from her book, Good Power.

Together, we explore Ginni's five key principles of how to use power for good to build trust and lead through change, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and a growth mindset. For an extra bit of insight, we asked attendees at the recent Association for Talent and Development conference for their thoughts on the top skills necessary for successful leadership, and how trust plays a role in leadership development. 

For more from Ginni Rometty watch the full How to Make a Leader live interview. 

Interested in attending our next live interview? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

Buy Ginni's book, Good Power: https://ginnirometty.com/

Support OneTen - https://oneten.org/about-us/our-approach/

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to promote transparency and honesty in your team through regular communication techniques.  
• Strategies to engage your team emotionally as well as intellectually through co-creation practices.
• The importance of focusing on skills and aptitude in hiring decisions to create a more inclusive and adaptable workforce.
• Clear principles for technology use that prioritize transparency, fairness, and empowering people.

Things to listen for:
(05:22) Lessons learned in building employee trust after a significant IBM acquisition.
(11:36) Why Ginni values continuous learning in leadership decisions.
(15:49) How using data helps you avoid bias and build transparency.
(18:43) Building psychological safety and trust through communication.

Have you struggled to make learning a core priority at your organization? Or wondered how to transform your organization's learning culture from the ground up? These are questions we set out to explore in the inaugural episode of the How to Make a Leader podcast. 

For answers, we turned to S&P Global’s dynamic Director of Learning and Development, Jamie Blakey. A champion for lifelong learning, Jamie unpacked the intricacies of building a robust learning culture that pervades an entire organization. From gaining buy-in from senior leadership to forming partnerships across departments, Jamie’s practical wisdom and strategies are sure to elevate your learning and development program. 

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For more from Jamie Blakey watch the full How to Make a Leader live interview. 

Interested in attending our next live interview? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• In-depth strategies for obtaining senior leadership buy-in on L&D initiatives and aligning learning programs with organizational goals.
• Practical advice on building and maintaining cross-functional partnerships to enhance the reach and effectiveness of learning initiatives. 
• Best practices for measuring the impact of learning programs and using feedback to drive continuous improvement. 

Jump into the conversation:

[04:42] Jamie’s thoughts on aligning innovative learning practices with company objectives. 

[07:14] Jamie shares successful initiatives that created a supportive space for learning and development.
[09:45] Building a robust L&D program? Start with creative, engaging sessions. 

Imagine having access to some of the most notable authors and leaders in the learning and development community, sharing their wisdom every month. Welcome to "How to Make a Leader," a leadership development podcast from Big Think+ where we take the best ideas from the biggest minds in learning and development and distill them into actionable insights. 

Forget the AI buzzwords. Ross Stevenson, founder of Steal These Thoughts!, dives into how L&D teams can actually use AI to save time, solve real problems, and keep learning human. Most importantly, he asks us to consider: Are AI tools always the answer?

From smarter ChatGPT prompts to must-have tools, Ross shares practical, no-nonsense tips to level up your learning programs. If you’re ready to cut through the noise and make AI work for your team, this episode is a must-listen.

You’ll learn:

• The fundamentals every L&D pro should know about AI 
• Practical ways to use ChatGPT 
• Real-world time-saving use cases for AI
• Ross’ top 3 learning technology tools right now

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction to Ross Stevenson

(02:19) Ross’s background and entry into L&D through technology

(05:09) Using technology as an enabler in workplace L&D

(07:06) The importance of using tech intelligently and avoiding misuse

(08:05) Misconceptions about AI in L&D and focusing on purpose over tools

(10:14) The mindset shift needed for AI in L&D

(17:56) Case study on effective AI tool use for time-saving in product development

(21:38) AI’s role in performance reviews, onboarding, and creating efficiencies

(23:18) Case study from BHP Mining on AI as a thought partner

(24:34) The realistic potential of AI in saving time and enhancing productivity

(25:07) In-depth discussion on using ChatGPT effectively as an L&D pro

(28:10) ChatGPT as a thought partner, research assistant, and skills coach

(30:36) Common mistakes L&D professionals make with AI and tech tools

(34:11) How to introduce AI tools without disrupting teams

(39:46) Top human skills essential in an AI-forward workplace

(43:00) Ross’s top 3 favorite learning technology tools

(45:30) Conclusion and where to find more from Ross Stevenson

To learn more about Ross and his work, check out his Linkedin profile or the Steal These Thoughts! website.

Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

Data. It’s loved by some, feared by many, but there’s no arguing that it’s an essential tool in a leader’s toolkit. But how do we turn numbers into knowledge?

In this episode, Figma’s Eric Grant shares why data fluency isn’t all about the tools—it’s about hands-on practice. He explains how consistently working with data drives better learning insights and leadership decisions, and argues that understanding the data behind the tools matters most.

You’ll learn:

• Lessons learned in data analytics from his time at Coinbase, Uber and Figma 
• Why (and how) practicing with data is more valuable than relying on tools
• Ways to measure learning program impact (his answer might surprise you!)
• The transition of a workplace with not enough data to too much data 
• New AI tools to watch out for

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction to Eric Grant 

(06:53) How to use AI for data experimentation

(09:34) The importance of data when tracking the success of learning programs

(12:50) What L&D teams get wrong in measuring learning programs

(15:56) Why surveys shouldn’t be anonymous 

(19:44) Key indicators when measuring performance

(25:12) Measuring soft skills or company culture

(33:45) Partnership's role in the successful measurement of learning programs

(37:29) An adaptive learning project Eric’s working on 

(41:34) Data tools and resources reshaping L&D

(44:46) AI for course creation and instructional design

(45:19) Duolingo as an example of adaptive learning

To learn more about Eric and his work, check out his Linkedin profile or Figma’s website.

Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

How do you turn early talent into future leaders?

Harvard career advisor and WSJ best-selling author Gorick Ng shares the “unspoken rules” of professional growth and talent development. From career navigation to building a diverse leadership pipeline, he shares real-world insights garnered from thousands of interviews with professionals and his advisory work with Fortune500 companies. 

Whether you’re working with early, mid-level or senior employees, Gorick offers actionable strategies to level the playing field and maximize potential in your workforce.

You’ll learn:

• The “three Cs” framework for career success
• How to align onboarding with retention and engagement goals
• Practical steps to diversify your leadership pipeline
• The five traits of successful leaders
• The #1 piece of career advice (from a career advisor)

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Gorick Ng

(01:25) Gorick’s personal journey and first-generation college experience

(04:14) The important but unspoken rules of career navigation

(05:07) A real-world story about visibility and career advancement

(07:26) The “Three Cs” framework for professional success

(09:48) Systemic barriers to career growth and access to tools

(11:46) Preparing early-career professionals before day one

(13:26) The role of peer mentors in effective onboarding

(16:28) Creating psychological safety for early-stage professionals

(20:44) How to engage mid-level managers to balance growth and burnout

(24:58) Building lateral career movement opportunities within organizations

(27:10) The power of recognition and feedback in employee engagement

(29:38) Developing leadership pipelines with rotational programs

(33:52) Expanding diversity in leadership through actionable steps

(35:03) The value of vulnerability in leadership storytelling

(37:25) Leadership traits and the balance between managing and leading

(38:11) Gorick’s most memorable piece of career advice

To learn more about Gorick and his work, check out his Linkedin profile and his website. If you’d like to purchase his book, The Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting your Career Off Right, you can check out this link. 

Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

How do strong leaders tackle today’s DEI challenges?

In a time of shifting policies and conflicting public discourse around DEI, consider this episode a practical guide to build inclusive teams with inclusive leaders. In this special How to Make a Leader episode, we’re sharing a virtual panel discussion with experts Chloé Valdary, Ruchika T. Malhotra, and La’Kita Williams, who bring decades of experience in inclusion, workplace culture, and leadership to tackle some of the toughest questions in DEI today.

From navigating fear-based rhetoric to rebuilding trust in organizational initiatives, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what truly matters: creating workplaces where everyone thrives.

You’ll learn:

• How to address fear and backlash surrounding DEI efforts
• The biggest reasons DEI initiatives succeed (or fail)
• Practical ways to build inclusion into leadership at every level
• How to foster real belonging beyond performative policies
• What leaders can do today to create lasting, meaningful change

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Chloé Valdary, Ruchika T. Malhotra, and La’Kita Williams
(05:18) What diversity and inclusion look like in the workplace 
(09:29) Challenges of making DEI truly inclusive for people of all backgrounds
(12:28) The role of leadership in fostering inclusion and psychological safety
(23:13) Translating DEI into business language: Efficiency, innovation, and growth
(24:58) Common pitfalls in DEI initiatives and how to rebuild trust
(29:39) Crafting mission statements that reflect diversity as a business asset
(32:08) Audience Q&A about DEI Initiatives
(35:03) Avoiding scarcity thinking and expanding leadership opportunities
(39:45) Creating safe spaces for diversity and difficult conversations in the workplace

To learn more about our panel and their respective work, check out the links below:

• Chloé Valdary - LinkedIn Profile | Theory of Enchantment
• Ruchika T. Malhotra  - LinkedIn Profile | Inclusion on Purpose
• La’Kita Williams - LinkedIn Profile | CoCreate Work

Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

Can conflict actually make your team stronger?

In this episode of How to Make a Leader, communication expert and Harvard Business Review podcast host Amy Gallo discusses the communication dynamics that shape high-performing professionals and teams.

Amy shares strategies to build trust, improve collaboration, and ensure that even the toughest conversations lead to progress. Whether you’re a team leader, an aspiring manager, or someone navigating complex work relationships, this episode is packed with insights to strengthen your communication skills and leadership approach.

You’ll learn:

• How high performing teams disagree respectfully and collaboratively
• How to approach difficult conversations in the workplace
• Strategies to improve communication across remote, hybrid, and in-person teams
• The leadership mindset shift that drives long-term success

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Amy Gallo
(01:39) Building trust quickly to enhance workplace communication
(04:57) Three key principles for navigating workplace conflict
(09:34) How remote and hybrid work impact workplace communication
(13:31) Strategies to prevent miscommunication in digital environments
(18:38) When to vent, when to wait, and when to take action
(21:27) What distinguishes high-performing teams from struggling teams
(24:49) Leadership strategies to encourage open and honest communication
(29:08) Emotional regulation and its impact on leadership effectiveness
(35:25) How societal tensions are influencing workplace interactions
(39:39) Maintaining composure in high-conflict situations
(44:13) Why connection should be a leadership priority

To learn more about Amy and her work, check out her Linkedin profile, her website, and her podcast. Read Amy Gallo’s book: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People).

Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

In this episode of How to Make a Leader, we're joined by Al Dea, founder of Edge of Work consulting and a respected voice in talent and leadership development. Al breaks down why true leadership success hinges on a human-centric approach focused on two essential drivers: viewing leaders as developers of people and building social capital within organizations.

Drawing from his extensive experience as a consultant, keynote speaker, and podcast host, Al shares practical insights on how day-to-day leadership actions directly impact talent development. He challenges the notion that employee growth belongs solely to HR and L&D departments, revealing the common mistakes leaders make when developing their teams and offering actionable strategies that extend beyond traditional training programs.

You'll discover:

• Why developing your people is the highest-impact leadership investment
• Practical ways to implement human-centric leadership principles
• How to build and leverage social capital to enhance team performance
• Effective development strategies that don't require formal training programs

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Al Dea

(01:13) The evolution of workplace dynamics

(07:10) Defining human-centric leadership in real terms

(09:41) Leaders as developers of people

(12:09) Building growth into your weekly workflow

(15:28) How HR and L&D scale development

(18:02) Why investing in people ultimately saves time

(20:23) Common mistakes leaders make when developing others

(25:02) How to build social capital (and why it matters)

(31:26) A leadership development program that built real connections

(34:35) How to measure development and social capital

To learn more about Al and his work, check out his Linkedin profile, his website, and his podcast.

Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus 

In this episode of How to Make a Leader, we sit down with members of Big Think+’s very own product team, Charlotte Sharpe and Monica Karunakaran. They share insights learned from observing the learning habits and preferences of 115,000 learners that used our platform last year, as well as learnings from our 300 person user survey. 

They share juicy insights such as the truth behind optimal learning times (and length of content), the top skills learners searched on our platform, and the top challenges keeping L&D leaders up at night. 

You’ll learn:

• The type of career development that learners actually care about
• The most in-demand leadership skills
• What’s keeping L&D leaders up at night (and how to fix it)
• The humans skills that matter more than AI
• How to think about L&D strategy

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Charlotte Sharpe and Monica Karunakaran
(05:29) The role of Big Think+ in shaping leadership development

(06:58) Insights from a year of data from 115,000 learners

(09:43) What’s keeping L&D leaders up at night

(13:14) Leadership content for mid-level managers

(15:28) Balancing employee engagement with measurable success

(17:44) The most in-demand leadership skills

(19:08) Why emotional intelligence is so important

(26:31) Data on the learning experience (when, where, how long)

(28:37) The influence of AI on leadership development strategies

(33:27) The biggest surprise with the data

(35:03) The future of L&D: Integrating human connection with technology

To learn more about Charlotte and Monica, check out their LinkedIn profiles:

• Charlotte Sharpe
• Monica Karunakaran
  
  

Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus 

Nearly 8 out of 10 workers feel stressed at work, and most say it's leaving them completely drained. If you're seeing warning signs on your team or feeling the impact yourself, this deep dive into the burnout epidemic will give you the science-backed strategies you need.

Dr. Ethan Kross, neuroscientist at the University of Michigan and author of Chatter and Shift, breaks down what's actually happening in your brain when stress feels debilitating. Jennifer Moss, workplace wellness expert and author of Why Are We Here? and The Burnout Epidemic, shares the organizational strategies that companies like Google and TD Bank use to transform their workplace cultures.

Together, they deliver both the "why" behind burnout and the "how" to fix it, giving you actionable frameworks to implement immediately.

You'll learn:

• The science behind burnout and brain function
• Case studies from Deloitte, Google and TD Bank on how they’re improving workplace culture
• Introduction to the WOOP framework to help employees build resilience
• The leadership practices that genuinely transform team mental fitness and engagement

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Dr. Ethan Kross and Jennifer Moss

(01:24) The science behind stress and burnout in the workplace

(03:51) How chronic stress affects focus and performance

(06:03) Emotional regulation and the impact on internal dialogue

(08:07) How stress alters brain function and decision-making

(09:01) The threat mode response and its influence on behavior

(15:19) The role of uncertainty and lack of control in workplace dissatisfaction

(17:53) Why culture plays a major role in mental fitness

(21:44) Building mental fitness muscles for long-term success

(25:23) Using the WOOP framework to handle negative emotions

(30:03) How leaders can help teams regain a sense of control

To learn more about Ethan, check out his website, most recent TED talk, and his books, Shift and Chatter.

And to learn more about Jennifer, check out her website and her books, The Burnout Epidemic, Why Are We Here, and Unlocking Happiness at Work.

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus 

Suzy Welch has helped thousands find clarity on the question: What am I meant to do with my life? 

In this conversation, she shares the 3-circle methodology behind her wildly popular “Becoming You” methodology, which she also teaches at NYU Stern School of Business. She explains why knowing your true values is more powerful than skills training alone, and offers a practical path to purpose, at any stage of your career.

You’ll learn:

• Why most people don’t know their true values—and how to find yours
• How personal values, aptitudes, and economically viable interests intersect to reveal purpose
• How value conflicts show up in leadership and career choices
• Why aligning personal and organizational values can transform teams
• What leaders can do to help others live and work with purpose

This was our first ever live recorded podcast conversation in front of an audience - you’ll hear audience interaction throughout, and Q&A at the end of the episode. 

Take The Values Bridge test Suzy references here: https://thevaluesbridge.com/

Read Suzy’s book, Becoming You here: https://www.suzywelch.com/books/becoming-you-the-proven-method-for-crafting-your-authentic-life-and-career/ 

About Suzy Welch:

Suzy Welch is an award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor, acclaimed management researcher, and New York Times best-selling author, most recently with “Becoming You: A Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career,” which is also a #1 bestseller on Amazon.

A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Business School, Professor Welch is a frequent guest of the Today Show and an op-ed contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Her podcast, “Becoming You” is one of America’s most listened to career podcasts. She serves on the boards of public and private companies, and is the Director of the NYU | Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing.

As the founder and CEO of Becoming You Labs, Professor Welch, who received her PhD in business from the University of Bristol, has developed several digital assessment tools, including The Values Bridge and PIE360. Two more assessment instruments, the Career Traits Compass and the Holland Bridge, are currently in the final stages of beta testing.

Technical expertise doesn’t automatically translate into leadership traits. So how do we help engineers, scientists, and specialists become confident and effective managers?

Leadership development expert and former SpaceX trainer, Matt Gjertsen, shares how to grow strong leaders inside technical organizations. Drawing on 15 years of experience across aerospace, defense, and emerging tech, Matt specializes in turning skilled technical professionals into confident, effective leaders.

You’ll learn:

• Why leadership is often the biggest blocker to scale, not technology
• How to engage technical employees in learning (even the skeptical ones)
• Why engineers are uniquely suited to lead and what holds them back
• The mindset shift new technical managers must make

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Matt Gjertsen

(02:09) Why technical leadership is a unique challenge

(03:21) Scaling hard tech requires solving people problems

(05:23) The leadership gap in reindustrialization and the trades

(07:59) A humbling mindset shift: You can’t lead alone

(10:12) Why engineers are better at conflict than you think

(13:13) Getting skeptical technical leaders to buy in

(15:01) Designing leadership programs that drive measurable change

(16:27) Microlearning done right: Narrow goals, real impact

(19:16) How to get employees to engage in training

(22:54) Start small: The fastest way to executive buy-in

To learn more about Matt, check out his LinkedIn and his website.

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

About Matt Gjertsen:

Matt Gjertsen is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and former Air Force Instructor Pilot with 2500 flight hours. After leaving active duty, he spent over 4 years leading the training and development team at SpaceX before founding Better Every Day Studios in 2021. 

Matt’s 20 years of experience working with and leading high performing teams all over the world has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to lead teams in this ever changing world. He has previously shared these lessons with organizations like the XPRIZE Foundation, Lockheed Martin, and NASA. 

He and his team and Better Every Day Studios are now on a mission to train better managers, build better companies, and create a better world.

Ingrid Hu Dahl believes the most effective leaders are those who intentionally break rules, challenging the status quo. 

With diverse experience as a punk-rock musician, executive coach and L&D leader at Gap, Meta and Capital One, Ingrid offers a radically human perspective on leadership - one that is rooted in rebellion and genuine connection. She shares personal stories and learnings about why the best leaders are the rebels who dare to challenge the status quo and lead with authenticity. 

You’ll learn:

• Why rebellion is a powerful force in leadership
• Fast reset tools to reduce workplace stress
• How to break toxic patterns in traditional leadership cultures
• How to lead with empathy and inclusion in high-stress environments 

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Ingrid Hu Dahl

(02:43) Rebellion as a foundation for authentic leadership

(04:07) The parallels of young musicians and high-performing teams

(05:41) Coaching executives through fear, doubt, and isolation

(10:09) Leading with empathy in high-stress environments

(12:07) Fast reset tools to reduce workplace stress

(16:20) Writing a memoir and not a leadership book

(21:49) Breaking toxic patterns in traditional leadership cultures

(25:12) Bringing experimentation and play into team culture

(28:38) Daily behaviors that define inclusive leadership today

(33:40) Advice for leaders who are ready to rebel

To learn more about Ingrid, check out her website and her book Sun Shining On Morning Snow.

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

About Ingrid Hu Dahl:

Ingrid Hu Dahl is an author, speaker, and leadership coach. She is the founder of a coaching and consulting business dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, she brings her expertise to a wide range of industries, from corporate and media to nonprofit and social justice organizations. 

A TEDx speaker and a founding member of the Willie Mae Rock Camp in Brooklyn, Ingrid has a lifelong passion for amplifying underrepresented voices. She has written, filmed, and directed two short films exploring identity, representation, and the mixed-race experience. And, she has toured in multiple rock bands, playing bass, guitar, synth, drums, and singing.

Ingrid is certified by the International Coaching Federation and the Center for Creative Leadership. She is a global lecturer and speaker, and an advisory board member for the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University. She lives in Sausalito, California, with her wife, Courtney, and their dog, Palo Santo.

• Invite Ingrid to be a speaker, facilitator, consultant or leadership coach: www.IngridHuDahl.com 
• Buy Ingrid's book and get it signed at one of her upcoming events: www.SunShiningonMorningSnow.com
• Check out Ingrid's interview in Authority Magazine: “The Hidden Superpower of Every Great Leader: Ingrid Hu Dahl On Uncovering the Traits That Separate Good Leaders from Exceptional Ones”
• Read Ingrid's article for Women in Leadership: “Leading with Heart and Wading Through Fear—How Women Can Drop Control and Embrace Their Power”

Most leadership development programs look good on paper but fall short in practice. Leaders often miss the real support, core skills, and clear metrics they need to succeed.

Over the last few months, Lavinia Mehedințu, co-founder of Offbeat, spoke with over 150 L&D professionals to understand what’s working, what’s not, and how people feel about leadership development heading into 2026.

In this episode, she breaks down the findings and shares five recommendations for improving your leadership development programs. Her insights focus on what leaders truly need: practical support, clearer measures of success, and more opportunities to learn from one another.

You’ll learn:

• What’s missing from our leadership development programs 
• Program cocreation and the “IKEA effect”
• The most effective learning modality (hint: it’s peer learning)
• How to measure leadership performance with confidence

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Lavinia Mehedințu
(01:17) What 158 L&D professionals revealed about the state of leadership development
(03:52) Clear performance metrics: the challenge
(07:42) The gaps in how leaders use AI
(10:54) Creating systems that support collaboration
(13:32) Co‑creation and the ‘IKEA effect’
(18:11) Why peer learning remains a powerful tool
(20:13) How delivery and communication shape adoption
(25:03) A simple first step for measuring leadership performance
(29:06) Where L&D teams should focus next year
(30:50) Leadership advice and book recommendations

To learn more about Lavinia, check out her LinkedIn and Offbeat’s website. Check out their upcoming conference, Offbeat Fest in London in May 2026. 

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus 

About Lavinia Mehedintu:

Lavinia Mehedintu has been designing learning experiences and career development programs for the past 11 years both in the corporate world and in higher education. As a Co-Founder and Learning Architect at Offbeat, she’s applying adult learning principles so that learning & people professionals can connect, collaborate, and grow. She’s passionate about social learning, behavior change, and technology and constantly puts in the work to bring these three together to drive innovation in the learning & development space.

Content ID: MV0ZLFAMVUI3WWRB

Every great learning culture starts with one thing: a clear philosophy of how people grow. 

Dwayne Britton has spent his career shaping culture and capability at Apple, Lululemon, Adidas, Zalando, and On. Across each, he’s learned that lasting impact comes when learning is guided by philosophy, not just programming.

In this episode, Dwayne shares how L&D teams can redefine their role from content creators to cultural amplifiers, by building a learning philosophy that connects business strategy, brand identity, and human growth.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between a learning culture and a learning philosophy
• How a learning philosophy positions L&D as a strategic partner
• The SPARK framework Dwayne used at On to connect learning to culture
• How to align brand, business, and learning goals 
• How to identify your organization’s learning beliefs

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Dwayne Britton

(02:19) Dwayne’s path from musical theater to L&D

(04:36) What defines a learning culture vs. philosophy

(06:47) Three realms every L&D program should serve

(10:03) The question that defines your learning philosophy

(12:20) The SPARK method for scaling learning

(15:06) How to get leadership buy-in for new L&D initiatives

(19:36) Advice for L&D teams to increase cultural impact

To learn more about Dwayne, check out his LinkedIn, his website, and his musical background. 

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

About Dwayne Britton:
Dwayne Britton brings 15+ years at the intersection of learning, culture and brand. He’s shaped programs at Apple, Adidas, Zalando and Lululemon, and led Global Learning & Development at On. Through his Berlin-based consultancy, DAY|WON, Dwayne provides fractional L&D leadership for startups, scale-ups and internal teams, with a focus on brand-led onboarding, culture building and collaboration. He partners with leaders to design clear, practical programs and workshops that align teams, clarify decisions and build momentum.Dwayne also serves as an L&D Strategic Advisor to Manageable, a UK startup helping managers build the confidence and habits to lead well.

Jonny Thomson isn’t an L&D professional. He’s someone who’s spent years figuring out how to earn learners’ attention. 

After teaching philosophy in Oxford, Jonny shifted to short-form educational content, building an audience of over two million people across social platforms. He’s spent years capturing attention, encouraging curiosity, and making learning content that resonates with his audience and followers of Mini Philosophy. 

In this conversation, he talks about microlearning as less of a format, and more of an activation tool. A tool that can capture attention and curiosity, and points learners toward deeper exploration.

If you’re responsible for designing, enabling, or influencing learning at scale, this episode will provide practical ways to use microlearning more deliberately.

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Jonny Thomson
(03:04) How to capture attention in 90 seconds
(05:31) Why learning remains human
(06:56) How to make microlearning feel natural and not forced
(07:49) Everyday moments that create authentic learning
(08:19) Three things to make microlearning succeed
(12:15) The three virtues of a successful leader

About Jonny Thomson:
Jonny Thomson taught philosophy in Oxford for more than a decade before turning to writing full-time. He’s a columnist at Big Think and is the award-winning, bestselling author of three books that have been translated into 22 languages.

Jonny is also the founder of Mini Philosophy, a social network of around two million curious, intelligent minds. He's known all over the world for making philosophy accessible, relatable, and fun.

To learn more about Jonny, check out Mini Philosophy on Substack or Instagram.

YouTube Content ID: MV0ZLFAMVUI3WWRB

Introducing Quick Questions: one big question, one expert answer, in five minutes.

Giving constructive feedback is uncomfortable for most leaders. Amy Gallo is a best-selling author and contributing editor at Harvard Business Review who has written extensively about communication, conflict, and feedback. She explains why intention matters just as much as wording, and shares a straightforward framework that makes difficult conversations feel more grounded and productive. She also explains how L&D teams can help leaders practice feedback before the stakes are high.

About Amy: 

Amy Gallo is a workplace expert who writes and speaks about effective communication, interpersonal dynamics, gender, difficult conversations, and feedback. She is the best-selling author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, as well as hundreds of articles for Harvard Business Review. 

https://www.amyegallo.com/ 

Building a manager development program from scratch is hard. But scaling it is harder.

Sarah Bright leads Learning & Development at Darktrace. She built a tiered manager development program from scratch, training 75% of all managers across 20 learning cohorts in two years.

She shares how her team designed a program that adapts to a fast-moving business, the core competencies that define great managers, and how to measure the real impact of leadership development.

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Welcome to How to Make A Leader
(01:13) Building the L&D function from scratch
(02:33) Getting buy-in for manager development
(03:49) The first version of Darktrace’s manager program
(05:10) Tiered manager development curriculum
(06:39) Core competencies for developing leaders
(08:31) Measuring the success of L&D initiatives
(12:20) Creating a thriving manager community
(15:26) What's next for L&D at Darktrace
(19:19) One piece of leadership advice

About Sarah Bright:

Sarah Bright is the Head of Learning and Development at Darktrace, where she leads global initiatives that support more than 2,500 employees, including scalable learning pathways, clear career progression frameworks and manager development programmes. She started at Darktrace as a Sales Operations Analyst, where identifying trends and patterns contributed to her evidence-based approach to people development.  

This analytical mindset influences how she creates systems that help people feel clearer, more engaged, and able to progress in their careers. Sarah is passionate about combining data, storytelling, and emerging learning technologies to create development experiences that empower employees to grow with confidence and purpose.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn. Learn more about Darktrace.

We’re back with a Quick Question: one big question, one expert answer, in five minutes. 

Mike Taylor explains why learning teams often underestimate the role of attention, and how ideas from cognitive and marketing psychology can improve the way training is designed. He shares six simple attention triggers that make learning more relevant, tangible and memorable, and shows how L&D teams can move from one-off courses to campaign-style learning.

About Mike: 

With over two decades of experience as a learning consultant, Mike has been a driving force behind transformative instructional design and organizational performance. He is a Learning Consultant at Nationwide, a faculty member in Franklin University's Graduate Instructional Design and Technology program, and co-author of the book, Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro. His work bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world practice, equipping future learning professionals with the skills to excel in today's dynamic landscape. 

Connect with Mike here. Check out his book and his newsletter. 

T. Rowe Price doesn't do one-off training programs. They engineer leadership.

Ryan Smith leads Global Leadership and Career Development at T. Rowe Price, where he's spent nearly four years building a company-wide learning system that reaches leaders at every level, from the C-suite to frontline associates. The foundation: a belief that everyone, regardless of title, has the capacity to lead.

He shares how they built their leadership academies, why co-creation was non-negotiable at every level, foolproof tactics to get buy-in from the C-suite, and how they turn a learning event into lasting behavior change.

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Ryan Smith
(01:13) The “everyone is a leader” mantra
(02:39) The difference between leaders and managers
(05:51) Why systems of learning became a priority
(09:33) Defining a system of learning
(10:28) Leadership academies and behavior frameworks
(12:27) Insights from the Executive Leadership Academy
(13:37) Building manager capability
(15:16) Building communities of practice
(17:10) Driving adoption and executive buy-in
(19:56) Connecting learning systems to organizational metrics
(23:02) Measuring engagement and performance
(24:30) First steps for leadership development strategy
(25:53) Best leadership advice Ryan has received

About Ryan Smith:
Ryan Smith is the Head of Global Leadership and Career Development at T. Rowe Price, where he focuses on career mobility and building scalable leadership systems that develop leaders at every level of the organization.

Before joining T. Rowe Price, Ryan spent 15 years at Truist, leading leadership and professional development for more than 45,000 employees. His work centers on creating equitable access to leadership development and aligning learning with real business outcomes.

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn.