Why I’m Launching This L&D Website: To Challenge the Norm and Share What Actually Works

After over a decade in learning & development spanning global companies, the military, and everything in between, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright terrible in corporate training.

Inspired by 'Start with Why' by Simon Sinek, I wanted to pen down my thoughts and intentions before diving deep into this world. I want to put a stake in the ground and share what I’ve learned before the stories fade, lessons become too generic, and raw emotions get lost.

My goals are simple:

1. To uplift fellow learning & development professionals

   Too many great trainers hold themselves back with outdated methods or unclear direction. It's a (largely) unregulated industry. In my articles, I’ll be sharing practical, immediately usable tips for L&D folks- things I wish someone told me earlier. This is for those who want to do better and aren't afraid of honest advice. A few L&D peers have encouraged me to do this and if this helps even a handful of people, I would consider this endeavor a success.

   
   

2. To encourage and help non-L&D individuals navigate the fog

   Managers who want to develop and build better teams, leaders confused by L&D jargon, and professionals terrified of public speaking, this is for you too. Training doesn't have to be mysterious or boring. I’ll show you how to cut through the noise and get real results. Do some great training yourselves!

   
   

3. To expose the 'dark L&D practices'

   I've met plenty of amazing trainers in my career, but let’s be real: there’s a lot of BS in the L&D field. 'Snake oil' trainers that sound good but lack substance, a few overhyped vendors who charge a huge sum but regurgitate things that honestly ChatGPT can answer in 30 seconds or less, perhaps worse of all... training managers obsessed with surface-level metrics like training hours and # of participants. Or maybe you've seen a 95% satisfaction rate on a feedback form? But you or your team members attended the training and said it was garbage. Then you ask how many people actually filled out that survey. Exactly. I call these 'dark L&D practices' because they often hide the truth. Some of this is due to ignorance. Some of it is due to fear and corporate survival. But none of it helps learners or the training profession. So I’m here to call it out and offer everyone better ways forward.

   
   

Why Now?

I've thought about waiting for more experience, but if I don't write down my 12+ years of lessons and case studies, I’ll forget the details and emotions that actually make the difference.

I want this blog to be:

• Authentic (no corporate fluffery)

• Courageous (my candor will step on some toes)

• Practical (real tips, not theory)

  
  

If you're offended easily, you might be part of the problem. Or you're too wrapped in politics or yourself to care about real learning. Either way, this isn't a space for sugarcoating.

Final Thoughts

Training can be a force for good- if done right. It can transform people, teams, and entire companies. But only if we ditch the false advertising and surface-level approach (reading off a boring Powerpoint presentations is not a training, it's an audiobook) and focus on what really works.

My goal is simple: be honest, practical, and helpful. Nothing here is theory for theory’s sake, only real stories, hard-earned lessons, and honest advice. If any of it helps you, that’s all the reason I need to keep writing.

At the same time, this site is both a mission and a personal North Star, something I’ll return to when I need to remember why I started. It goes without saying that of course everything here is based on my personal and professional experiences so your mileage may vary.

Well probably not that much, but slightly.

So let’s keep it real, stay curious, and push training and development forward together.

As I always tell my trainees: Happy learning!

Sincerely,

James