LEARNING: INTERVIEWS

In Conversation with Experts and Professionals

RECENT
“You Must Be Driven by Your Agenda and Not Anyone Else’s.”
This 7 min. read saves you up to 6 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 288 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 339 minutes (about 6 hours). Learn more.
“You Must Be Driven by Your Agenda and Not Anyone Else’s.”

Shelmina Abji, author of Show Your Worth, explains why deep relationships with superiors are crucial, especially for women who want leadership positions, how to create them – and what to do if they cannot be established.

“Constant, Targeted, and Open Communication Is Vital for Successful L&D Initiatives”
This 7 min. read saves you up to 17 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from 4 getAbstract summaries (3 books with a total of 816 pages and one article) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 973 minutes (about 17 hours). Learn more.
“Constant, Targeted, and Open Communication Is Vital for Successful L&D Initiatives”

A year and a half ago, Antonia McGrane filled and shaped a new People & Culture position at getAbstract. Now, Jacqueline Matter is following in her footsteps. Here, both long-standing Customer Success Managers explain how cost-sensitive yet effective employee development initiatives work and what will be important in 2024.

“Transformational Change Is Always about Small Groups United by a Shared Purpose.”
This 16 min. read saves you up to 11 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from 2 getAbstract summaries (2 books with a total of 528 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 618 minutes (about 11 hours). Learn more.
“Transformational Change Is Always about Small Groups United by a Shared Purpose.”

In many organizations, change initiatives burn people and millions every year – without any apparent positive outcomes. Greg Satell explains how to change this.

ALL
“Many People Get Data Storytelling Wrong.”
This 12 min. read saves you up to 3 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 152 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 171 minutes (about 3 hours). Learn more.
“Many People Get Data Storytelling Wrong.”

How do you turn dry data into compelling stories? And what do you need to pay attention to in order to find the common thread in your pile of figures? Storytelling expert Hans-Wilhelm Eckert explains.

“Unlike Other Assets, Knowledge is Completely Reusable”
“Unlike Other Assets, Knowledge is Completely Reusable”

Productivity expert Tiago Forte shows you how to unleash the power of your second brain.

“It’s Crucial to Identify and Prioritize the Human Interactions That Are Most Impactful.”
“It’s Crucial to Identify and Prioritize the Human Interactions That Are Most Impactful.”

Author and Southern New Hampshire University President Paul LeBlanc wants institutions and organizations to refocus on who they are meant to serve: human beings.

“Motivation Alone Doesn’t Automatically Lead To Successful Learning.”
“Motivation Alone Doesn’t Automatically Lead To Successful Learning.”

Psychology professor Daniel Willingham shares research-based insights on maximizing learning outcomes for students and lifelong learners.

“Every Working Relationship Gets Banged, Cracked, Dented and Bruised at Some Stage.”
This 4 min. read saves you up to 27 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from 6 getAbstract summaries (6 books with a total of 1332 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 1595 minutes (about 27 hours). Learn more.
“Every Working Relationship Gets Banged, Cracked, Dented and Bruised at Some Stage.”

And yet, argues bestselling author Michael Bungay Stanier, you can take preventive action to ensure that this doesn’t leave lasting damage. Here, he explains what matters in the process.

“Companies Benefit from Executives Who Complement Each Other.”
This 10 min. read saves you up to 7 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 312 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 365 minutes (about 7 hours). Learn more.
“Companies Benefit from Executives Who Complement Each Other.”

Co-leadership is becoming increasingly popular: Part-time leaders benefit from greater flexibility, productive synergies and higher motivation. Companies also use shared leadership as a recruitment, innovation and employee retention booster. Organizational development expert Petra Kneip explains what to consider when splitting positions.

“Both Low Confidence and Excessive Confidence Hinder Coachability.”
“Both Low Confidence and Excessive Confidence Hinder Coachability.”

Leadership development executive Kevin Wilde argues that learning how to accept feedback is more valuable than learning how to deliver it. Here are best practices and fascinating insights into his current research.

“You Have to Keep Making Small Bets and Learning Quickly”
“You Have to Keep Making Small Bets and Learning Quickly”

In his upcoming book The Digital Transformation Roadmap, author and business strategy expert David Rogers illuminates a calm path forward for organizations struggling with a constantly changing business environment.

“Make Sure There Is A Customer”
Lorraine Marchand, (c) Frank Pronesti
“Make Sure There Is A Customer”

Lorraine Marchand, author of The Innovation Mindset, talks about the must-have elements for successful product design.

“You Have to Deliver Learning with Minimal Friction.”
This 15 min. read saves you up to 5 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 232 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 264 minutes (about 5 hours). Learn more.
“You Have to Deliver Learning with Minimal Friction.”

Nelson Sivalingam, author of Learning at Speed, outlines the new AI-powered and adaptive L&D world, where learning professionals evolve from course creators to skill-builders and become valuable assets to employees and the business.

“It’s All About Embedding These Practices Into Existing Routines”
This 10 min. read saves you up to 4 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 166 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 190 minutes (about 4 hours). Learn more.
“It’s All About Embedding These Practices Into Existing Routines”

When it comes to psychological safety, there is a gap between understanding and implementation. Yet putting it into practice is not as complicated or time-consuming as many assume, say Minette Norman and Karolin Helbig, authors of The Psychological Safety Playbook.

“Demonstrating Empathy Is Half the Battle.”
“Demonstrating Empathy Is Half the Battle.”

People resist embracing new things for four fundamental reasons. David Schonthal, author of The Human Element, explains how to overcome change resistance and prevent friction clashes.

“Our Brains Simply Aren’t Designed to Absorb Massive Portions of Complex Information in One Sitting.”
“Our Brains Simply Aren’t Designed to Absorb Massive Portions of Complex Information in One Sitting.”

Jana Eicher, EdContent Lead at getAbstract, explains what microlearning is and isn’t – and how getAbstract decided to move into the microlearning space.

“Hackers Are Always One Step Ahead”
“Hackers Are Always One Step Ahead”

Software engineer and security expert Massimo Scola outlines vital steps that minimize threats from AI-enhanced phishing scams.

“Psychological Safety Will Not Just Bubble up Because People Talk about It.”
“Psychological Safety Will Not Just Bubble up Because People Talk about It.”

Alex Osterwalder, one of the world’s most influential strategy and innovation experts, is convinced that leaders need help changing the concept of psychological safety from head to toe – because he’s gotten some himself.

“Security Is a Process, and That Includes the Culture in a Company.”
“Security Is a Process, and That Includes the Culture in a Company.”

Cybersecurity expert Mikko Hypponen, author of If It’s Smart, It’s Vulnerable, offers insights on how to navigate the wilds of the Internet.

“Opening Up Is a Practice, Not a One-Time Activity.”
“Opening Up Is a Practice, Not a One-Time Activity.”

Author and executive coach Alexsys Thompson explains how aligning your values and behavior will make you a more effective and resilient leader and team member.

“You Can’t Just Tack on DEI Work Like You Add an App to Your Phone.”
“You Can’t Just Tack on DEI Work Like You Add an App to Your Phone.”

Journalist and author of Speaking Of Race, Celeste Headlee, talks about improving DEI by doing the work of having difficult conversations.

“If You Don’t Know How to Connect Effectively Across Cultures, You Miss the Chance to Be Inclusive.”
“If You Don’t Know How to Connect Effectively Across Cultures, You Miss the Chance to Be Inclusive.”

Diversity consultant and author Tayo Rockson explains how to shift the needle on DEI, step by step.

“We Need to Have Continuous Learning Built Into Our Lives”
“We Need to Have Continuous Learning Built Into Our Lives”

Bernard Marr, author of Future Skills, says your humanity is your future’s most valuable skill.

“If You’re Good at Coaching, You’ll Eventually Become Obsolete to the Person.”
“If You’re Good at Coaching, You’ll Eventually Become Obsolete to the Person.”

Master Coach Marion Franklin on asking the right questions, waiting patiently for answers, and the number one problem with coaching-style leadership.

“The Conventional Recruitment Process Already Discriminates Against People Who Are Neurodiverse.”
“The Conventional Recruitment Process Already Discriminates Against People Who Are Neurodiverse.”

No human brain is wired the same way. It’s time for the workplace to reflect this fact, neurodiversity advocate Theo Smith explains.

“You Almost Fail Your Way Towards Success.”
“You Almost Fail Your Way Towards Success.”

Organizational change expert Aidan McCullen, author of Undisruptable, encourages people and companies to disrupt themselves.

“If Our Value Is Growth, Then I Love Disruption.”
“If Our Value Is Growth, Then I Love Disruption.”

Tom Ziglar, author of 10 Leadership Virtues for Disruptive Times, discusses why the “coach leader” gets results while the “T-Rex” leader is going the way of the dinosaur.

“You’ve Got to Understand How the Work You Try to Improve Gets Done.”
“You’ve Got to Understand How the Work You Try to Improve Gets Done.”

Brandon Carson, author of L&D’s Playbook for the Digital Age, believes L&D must focus on performance readiness and recognize the potential for on-the-job learning and development – especially in tough economic times.

“We Make Data More Vivid, Beautiful, Intuitive and Memorable.”
“We Make Data More Vivid, Beautiful, Intuitive and Memorable.”

Visual Capitalist founder Jeff Desjardins, the author of Signals, illustrates the future.

“We Learn Better by Doing and Applying”
“We Learn Better by Doing and Applying”

Teri Hart, the author of Hardwired to Learn, harnesses neuroscience to help people become lifelong learners.

Interview Highlights 2022
Interview Highlights 2022

Michael Wiederstein, Caryn Hunt and Sara Küpfer share this year’s personal highlights.

“People Are Angry Because They Feel Their World Views and Values Are at Stake.”
“People Are Angry Because They Feel Their World Views and Values Are at Stake.”

How can people find each other in an increasingly fragmented society? Sociologist Michael Carolan says: through experiences.

“It Doesn’t Matter What People Get Curious About, as Long as They Get Curious.”
“It Doesn’t Matter What People Get Curious About, as Long as They Get Curious.”

More and more companies emphasize curiosity in the workplace. This is no surprise to Stefaan van Hooydonk, who considers curiosity a “growth mindset in action.”

“Unlock Your Greatness by Working on the Hard Things.”
“Unlock Your Greatness by Working on the Hard Things.”

Accomplishing something that makes you proud starts with picking the right goal. Author and entrepreneur Michael Bungay Stanier explains the ingredients of a “worthy goal” and shares best practices for working toward it.

“You Don’t Have to Be Old and Wise to Do What’s Right.”
“You Don’t Have to Be Old and Wise to Do What’s Right.”

G. Richard Shell explains the value of honest, moral behavior for both individuals and organizations.

“Work Will Never Love Us Back. Other People Will.”
“Work Will Never Love Us Back. Other People Will.”

We’ve been told that we should look for purpose, joy and fulfillment in our jobs. But that claim is a fraud, says labor journalist and author Sarah Jaffe.

“People Don’t Want to Be Merely Motivated – They Seek Inspiration.”
“People Don’t Want to Be Merely Motivated – They Seek Inspiration.”

Trust is the lubricant of the new world of work, says Stephen M.R. Covey – but if you really want to bring your organization forward, you have to be an inspiring leader and put purpose…