Summary: We have compiled a list of some of the most influential people in the L&D space in the US. These leaders have carved a niche for themselves, and L&D professionals must follow them for insights and perspectives.
Introduction
Organizations look to learning and development to provide individuals with the skills they need to succeed in their current roles and get them ready for ones in the future. Additionally, the advantages are widespread: traditionally, businesses who invest more in staff development are more profitable than those that do not.
This year, organizations will need to deal with the effects of a changing labor market, skills gaps, hybrid work environments, and more. As a result, it will be more crucial than ever to prepare employees for the future.
Every new year ushers tremendous advancements in technology, changed workplace demographics, and concern about the future, especially in 2022. Business executives are increasingly turning to the learning and development faculty for assistance in overcoming these crucial problems.
To help businesses achieve this, we have compiled a list of some of the most influential people in the L&D space in the USA. These leaders have carved a niche for themselves and are offering some unique perspectives in developing a future-ready and resilient workforce. Their expertise is backed by several years of first-hand experience, and they are leaving no stone unturned to enhance the L&D experience for learners around the world.
List of influential L&D leaders in the USA (in no particular order):
Josh Bersin is a renowned HR analyst and leader in his field. He is the owner of the independent research group BersinTM, a company inside the Human Capital practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP.
Bersin conducts research on all facets of HR in the workplace, including HR technology and leadership. To put it briefly, Josh and his colleagues use data and research to start thoughtful conversations with HR professionals throughout the world.
He is also the author of several market research studies as well as the Wiley publications “The Training Measurement Book” and “The Blended Learning Book.”
He contributes to Forbes, is a LinkedIn influencer, writes a blog for CLO Magazine, and is frequently quoted in international publications and magazines for human resources professionals.
To learn more about Josh, check out his Linkedin Profile!
Craig Weiss is the CEO of The Craig Weiss Group and the creator of FindAnLMS.com, the top learning system search engine on the market.
Since the late 1990s, Craig has been active in the e-learning sector. He possesses a perspective that is uncommon among analysts and consultants because of his expertise as a previous training director and manager in developing and delivering successful online learning programs, including buying LMSs.
On top of that Craig has been named one of the top three global influencers for e-learning and the most influential person in the world for learning systems (including LMSs, LEP/LXP).
He serves on two advisory boards, one in Israel for a start-up LXP company and one in Denmark for an e-learning company.
Speaking at conferences and events all around the world, Craig is regarded by his contemporaries as a thought leader and authority in the field of e-learning.
According to his colleagues, Craig is among the top three individuals in the world for e-learning and the most influential person in the world for learning systems.
So what are you waiting for? Head to Craig Weiss’s Linkedin profile to know more about his work!!
David Kelly is the CEO and Vice President of The Learning Guild. Prior to joining the Guild, David had worked in senior management learning and performance roles for more than 15 years. He also held VP positions at Carver Federal Savings Bank, ACLD, and New York Community Bancorp in addition to his SVP position there.
David is known to extract insightful learning points from any and every media outlet when discussing broad subjects like the language we use and SNL jokes.
A prominent researcher, David generally focuses on the use of technology to improve training, education, learning, and organizational performance. He routinely writes for the industry and speaks at events there as a contributing member of the learning community. He is well renowned for his efforts in event and conference curation, particularly those involving learning and performance specialists.
Follow David Kelly to learn more about his journey!
Researcher, educator, analyst, and speaker — with many such impressive titles affixed to his name, Elliott Masie focuses on the evolving nature of the workplace, education, and technology. His insights in the L&D space are thought-provoking, engrossing, and entertaining.
He is the director of The MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs, New York, which studies how businesses may encourage employee learning and knowledge. He is the leader of the Learning COLLABORATIVE, an alliance of 75 international organizations working together to advance learning methodologies. Amazon, Zoom, Bank of America, Subway, The Hartford, and other companies are members.
Apart from this, Elliott is also credited as being the first analyst to use the term “eLearning” and has pushed for the responsible use of collaboration and learning technology to increase business productivity and profitability.
He has concentrated his professional efforts in the areas of emerging technologies, organizational performance, and corporate learning and successfully created models to hasten cooperation, learning, and knowledge transfer within businesses.
He is the editor of Elliott Masie’s online newsletters e-NOTES & Learning TRENDS, which are read by corporate executives all around the world, and a frequent contributor to trade journals like CLO Magazine. He has written 12 publications, including Big Learning Data from the ASTD/MASIE Center and more recent eBooks on “Learning Pivots” and “Empathy.”
Learn more about him by heading to his Linkedin page!
Britt Andreatta is a well-known global thought leader who develops brain-based answers to today’s problems. She uses her specialized knowledge in leadership, neurology, psychology, and learning as the CEO of 7th Mind Inc. to bring out the best in people and companies.
Andreatta is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience, having served as the former chief learning officer for Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning). She frequently provides leadership development and learning strategy consultations to enterprises, academic institutions, and nonprofit groups.
Her most recent book, Wired to Grow: Harness the Power of Brain Science to Learn and Master Any Skill, is one of many on the brain science of success that Andreatta has written.
She is a TEDx speaker and has more than 10 million global course views. TD and Chief Learning Officer magazines have given Andreatta several major awards, and she has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Influencers for 2020.
Follow her to know about her incredible work!
Brandon Carson, a skilled leader in maximizing engagement, innovation, and performance, has over 20 years of experience in talent development and organizational planning. He is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in corporate learning, and he strives to provide great employee experience through dynamic talent development, persuasive learning strategy, purpose-driven communication, and organizational change adaptability.
Brandon’s accolades include The Learning Guild People’s Choice Award, the ATD BEST Award, and three Brandon Hall Awards for Best Custom Learning Design.
He is also the author of the upcoming book L&D’s Playbook for the Digital Age from ATD Press as well as Learning In The Age of Immediacy: Five Factors For How We Connect, Communicate, and Get Work Done.
In order to provide a voice of support, cohesion, and compassion to those who have endured employment loss or disruption as a result of the epidemic, Brandon formed L&D Cares. His goal is to promote communal harmony through volunteer action and assistance.
Head to Brandon Carson’s profile to learn more!
Rob is a former Chief Learning Officer and founder of XLO Global. He brings a distinctive perspective and insights into today’s challenges in workforce development, learning and education technologies, business growth, and performance outcomes as an internationally recognized leader in the field with more than 30 years of experience managing learning & talent functions in large enterprises.
Rob has extensive industry knowledge and has impacted millions of people’s lives as the Chief Learning Officer at McDonald’s Corp, Yum! Brands, Inc., and Cingular Wireless (now AT&T).
He has received numerous awards from CLO Magazine for his efforts, including Chief Learning Officer of the Year (2013) for making an impact on the organization and driving transformation.
Additionally, he has served as the team leader for several years on teams that Training Magazine has ranked among the Top 50. He routinely takes part in roundtable talks, webinars, and learning-related articles all over the world.
Find Rob on Linkedin here!
John Leh is the CEO/ Lead Analyst at Talented Learning. He is trusted by learning organizations all over the world to define their business case, identify functional requirements, develop vendor shortlists, write and manage RFPs, and negotiate a great deal. John is known for his in-depth knowledge of learning systems and fiercely independent commentary on industry issues and trends.
In today’s dynamic and fiercely competitive learning technology market, vendors also consult John to define their product positioning and plan.
John’s work ethic and the caliber of his outcomes as an LMS selection consultant have drawn accolades from both clients and past coworkers.
He enjoys spending time with his family and expanding their Pennsylvania commercial tree farm when he is not assisting clients in finding the best learning solution for their needs or extending the Talented Learning business footprint.
He also promotes his amazing webinars through LinkedIn, so be sure to connect with him there to reserve your spot on the next one!
Naphtali Bryant, who is currently Netflix’s Director of Learning & Organization Development, has been managing L&D teams for close to 17 years.
Exceptionally gifted and knowledgeable in team building, coaching, motivational speaking, leadership development, public speaking, and training, Naphtali is no short of a creative leader. In addition to offering tools and tactics to help corporate leaders and teams be completely engaged and empowered in whatever they do, Naphtali assists individuals in realizing their potential.
He has more than 15 years of experience in the following industries: information technology, entertainment, human resources, and government. He has influenced the lives of professionals who want to excel in their fields and leave a lasting impression on both their professional and personal lives.
Naphtali fosters ideas, engages participants’ brains, and exhorts them to realize their full potential in order to alter how people think and behave. According to him, anything is achievable if one has faith, focus, and passion.
He is passionate about making L&D interesting and approachable, and he is also a breakout speaker at the annual LinkedIn Talent Connect conference.
Connect with Napthali on Linkedin to learn more about her work!
At the moment, Korbyn Behl oversees learning delivery globally for Expedia Group. He is also a dynamic relationship builder, a public speaker, and a people leader in L&D.
You can observe the effect Korbyn has on individuals just by looking at the recommendations area of his LinkedIn profile! He is genuinely people-focused, refreshingly honest, and unwavering in his mission. His Medium article, “The Power of the Passenger Seat,” really captures his philosophy and is well worth reading.
Get in touch with award-winning trainer Korbyn Behl on LinkedIn. You’ll be amazed by his vivacious persona and incredible talent!
Way Forward
Throughout 2020 and 2021, L&D proved to be a crucial resource for navigating multi-year changes that happened over a short period of time, all while maintaining employee engagement while they worked remotely.
Here are a few explanations of why the importance of growth and learning will continue to be more evident than ever in the upcoming year as well:
The “Great Resignation,” in which over four million Americans left their employment in August 2021, another record-breaking month for resignations in a string of record-breaking months, has received a lot of attention. Even though this pattern isn’t great for businesses, it still offers a special chance for growth and learning.
A desire for more opportunities for personal growth, which might help workers take advantage of better wage opportunities and keep up with their sectors, is one of the factors fueling the Great Resignation. Organizations can increase retention by designing learning opportunities that satisfy this need.
Learning and development teams (L&D) can assist learners in identifying potential roles for their future, the skills required for such roles, and the essential stepping stones to get there. Greater engagement and motivation are frequently the results of curated training opportunities and distinctive learning paths.
The work and educational landscapes have been permanently altered by the COVID-19 epidemic. Nowadays, working remotely is common, and 73 percent of workers aspire to be able to do so in the future.
When there is a significant change, resilience-the capacity to overcome obstacles, bounce back swiftly from hardships, and triumph in the face of adversity-matters most. Learning activities that aid people in comprehending and using resilience are crucial this year. These changes should be made available to all employees of the organization because most people are inherently resistant to change.
Learning leaders should also take into account how community and engagement contribute to employee resilience. As firms grow more cross-generational, providing opportunities for employees to interact will be crucial.
There is an increasing demand to fill “jobs of the future” due to the rapid adoption of technology and job automation. According to a recent Future of Jobs Report, 94 percent of company leaders believe that employees will pick up new skills on the job and that skills gaps will continue to be significant for the foreseeable future.
It will be essential to develop soft skills like emotional intelligence. Actually, according to Deloitte, “by 2030, soft skill-intensive occupations will account for two-thirds of all positions.” In 2022, demand for leadership development will still be high.
The leadership gap we still have today has been fueled by inadequate leadership selection procedures and poor training. Teams working on learning and development must connect leadership training to practical skills.
Are you prepared to develop your employees and turn them into resilient workers? If so, KNOLSKAPE can support you. Speak with us right away to see how our specialized women-centered journeys might boost your organization’s talent.
Originally published at https://knolskape.com on July 18, 2022.
