Leadership is more than giving direction; it’s about sparking the conversations that move people forward. In this episode of the Human Capital Lab podcast, host Dr. Rich Douglas speaks with Nicola Brown, a specialist in dialogue and system relationships, about how leaders can “set the weather” for their teams, bring unspoken tensions into the open, and guide change in ways that preserve trust. The conversation moves from big-picture thinking to grounded examples, revealing how dialogue shapes team dynamics and long-term resilience.

00:00 Introduction to the Human Capital Lab Podcast

01:00 Meet Nicola Brown and her path from ecology to leadership development

03:21 Why dialogue is vital in leadership

06:13 Building trust and integrating new ideas into existing knowledge

08:36 Naming the “elephant in the room” in leadership conversations

10:15 Leading without all the answers and inviting team input

13:05 “Setting the weather” and pacing change for your team

14:45 Asking questions to build trust and agency

18:03 Moving from buy-in to commitment

20:50 Understanding motivations and self-leadership

23:00 How urgency and self-interest can undermine trust

25:00 Radical honesty and curiosity in leadership dialogue

26:14 Using dialogue to uncover team motivations

29:19 Why asking is more powerful than telling

31:00 Linking emotions to outcomes in teams

34:23 Empowering others without losing leadership power

36:16 Leading at the pace of the relationship

37:18 Using questions as a primary leadership tool

38:06 Group-based leadership development at Kokoro

39:36 Always ask the question

40:00 Closing reflections and contact information

Connect with the Guest, Nicola Brown;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kokoro-change/
• Website: https://www.kokorochange.com/

Connect with Rich Douglas;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/

Connect with the Human Capital Lab;

• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/

Join Executive Director Rich Douglas in this episode of the Human Capital Lab podcast, featuring Jennifer Sutherland, Global Head of Learning Operations at ZS. Dive deep into discussions about leadership in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments, the importance of strategic thinking in talent development, and the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence. Jennifer shares her insights from her extensive experience in the field, including her thoughts on resilience, decision making, and the impact of generative AI on learning and development. This episode is essential listening for professionals looking to elevate their game in human capital management and navigate the future of work.

00:00 Introduction to the Human Capital Lab Podcast

01:12 Meet Jennifer Sutherland: A Journey in Talent Development

03:01 The Concept of Retirement and Side Gigs

06:19 Understanding VUCA: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity

09:02 Preparing for VUCA: Building Resilience and Flexibility

19:59 Leadership in VUCA: Strategic Decision Making

25:45 Understanding the Impact of Reactions

26:34 The Parable of the Two Arrows

27:32 Challenges in Leadership Development

28:47 Introduction to VUCA and Skillsets

29:51 Exploring Artificial Intelligence

31:34 Generative AI in Learning and Development

33:25 Practical Applications of AI

41:11 The Role of AI in Education

44:41 Evolving Learning Teams

45:41 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Connect with the Guest, Jennifer N Sutherland;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifernsutherland

Connect with Rich Douglas;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/

Connect with the Human Capital Lab;

• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/

In this episode of the Human Capital Lab podcast, hosted by Dr. Rich Douglas, we dive into the world of talent development with guest Ken Stockman. With an extensive background in IBM and a fresh perspective on learning versus performance, Ken shares his journey and expertise. Learn about the transition from traditional learning to performance-first learning, the importance of co-creation in training programs, and the nuances of global talent development. Ken also discusses the significance of adopting a consultative mindset and the future of talent development in aligning business outcomes with learning strategies. Tune in for valuable insights and practical strategies to elevate your talent development initiatives. Don't miss this engaging conversation that could reshape your approach to learning and performance in the workplace.

00:00 Introduction to the Human Capital Lab Podcast

00:26 Meet Ken Stockman: A Journey in Talent Development

02:49 Ken's Transition from IBM to Retirement

05:26 The Shift from Learning to Performance

10:59 Becoming a Trusted Advisor in Talent Development

16:29 Continuous Development for Talent Developers

19:23 Engaging Learners in Program Development

20:41 The Importance of Needs Analysis

22:53 Commitment and Performance Expectations

26:22 Global Perspectives on Talent Development

27:14 Cultural Sensitivity in Learning Programs

29:54 Leveraging Cultural Differences for Growth

34:40 Final Thoughts and Networking

Connect with the Guest, Ken Stockman ;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-stockman-mba-4185253/

Connect with Rich Douglas;

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/

Connect with the Human Capital Lab;

• Website: https://humancapitallab.org/
• Interested in Being a Guest? https://humancapitallab.org/podcast/