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David James shared thisIn the latest episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, I speak with Nick Jones MBA of L&D recruitment firm Blue Eskimo about the state of the L&D jobs market and Nick also shares expert tips on actually getting your role applications read! Based on the recent '2026 Blue Eskimo Work & Salary Report', we get into the data and Nick shares many more valuable insights.
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David James shared thisAfter recently passing 1 million downloads of The Learning & Development Podcast and having dived into L&D strategy with some of the sharpest minds in our profession, here are the key insights as actionable takeaways. Here goes… The people doing the most impactful work rarely call it L&D It’s not that they’re embarrassed by the profession. They’re just so fluent in the language of the business. By choosing the vocabulary of risk, readiness and execution, stakeholders stop seeing them simply as the ‘learning function’ and see them more as valuable problem solvers. Influence is built long before it's needed I’ve learned so much from the guests who invest in relationships well before they need to make withdrawals. There’s nothing manipulative about this. When we speak so much about the human side of business, there’s very little more human than genuine connection. And then when the moment comes to challenge a brief or seek stakeholder buy-in, they can do it because they've earned the right. The hardest transition in this profession is identity This transition means letting go of being the expert in ‘learning’ and, instead, becoming someone whose success is measured by what changes in the business. That shift is genuinely difficult. It asks something personal of you, challenging your professional DNA. It’s a real caterpillar to butterfly thing. Almost everyone underestimates how political the job actually is And I mean that in the most neutral sense of the word. Understanding who has influence and why. Knowing which conversations to have before the meeting and not in it. Reading the room not just for what's being said but for what's being protected. This isn't me overleaning on my cynicism (honestly). It's the operating system of most organisations big enough to have an L&D department. The L&D professionals who ignore it struggle to get buy-in - for their initiatives and their careers. The most successful L&D professionals know good work doesn’t speak for itself When we don’t control the narrative of the L&D function, the vacuum allows others to do so. But when we fill the vacuum with a narrative of engagement and satisfaction, we reinforce the well-established belief that L&D is about courses and content. But the most successful leaders ensure their work is aligned to the priorities that matter most to stakeholders and take every opportunity to amplify their most impactful work, shaping and controlling the narrative in order to challenge expectations and educate on what L&D can and should be doing. I’ve learned way more than all of this and expect to learn more the next time I press record on a conversation. But before the next one, I’d like to extend my gratitude to every guest, every listener and anyone who’s recommended The Learning & Development Podcast. Thank you all - and here’s to the next million!
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David James shared thisThe L&D jobs market, over the past couple of years, is as challenging as I've ever seen it. I mean, we've had ups and downs before that this one feels different. So I asked an expert what was going on. And as you'll see from the image, it's not all doom and gloom! In the latest episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, I speak with Nick Jones MBA of L&D recruitment firm Blue Eskimo about the state of the L&D jobs market and whether we need to brace ourselves for more pain or if there is any sign of a recovery. Not only that, we get into what L&D folks get wrong when preparing for a job hunt and how to get into the best possible position for a move. Based on the recent '2026 Blue Eskimo Work & Salary Report', we get into the data and Nick shares some invaluable insights. You'll find a link to the episode in the comments.
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David James shared thisCongratulations to Erica Farmer on her new book AI For People Professionals. I can’t wait to get into it and start preparing for our podcast conversation.
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David James shared thisLet's park the chat around AI and the elusive 'seat at the table' and take it back to under-resourced teams, reactive demand, underwhelming tech and success measured in terms of volume, not impact. This is the reality for many L&D teams - and that's ok. Whilst there's no romanticising the situation, recognising where you are and planning incremental gains is enough. Progress often looks less like transformation and more like small, hard-won gains. One credible stakeholder, one better conversation with a manager, one team that starts involving L&D earlier next time. This is what Becky Willis and I explored - and much more - in our live recording of The Learning & Development Podcast in One World Trade Center, NYC, back in March. Having recently written the book on the shifts L&D can make for greater impact, Becky was well placed to share her wisdom. Listen to this episode via the link in the comments.
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David James shared thisWhat an incredible week at LEARNTEC last week! My first time in Karlsruhe and I was energised by the conversations I had there. It was also interesting to hear that similar friction is experienced in relation to organisational politics, power and influence in Germany, and so I could be back for a book tour next year when my book on these topics is published!
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David James shared thisToday is a big day with The L&D Collective hitting 5000 members! This isn't just about a big number. The L&D Collective is an active community of L&D pros from all around the world, connecting over ideas - on-line and in-person - and is a vibrant community led by its members. I've been honoured to be a small part of this right from the start and couldn't be more proud to see this milestone hit. So, if you want a place to feel less alone, to solve problems and learn together then why not give it a go? Sign up to The L&D Collective here: https://lnkd.in/deRiG5iu
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David James shared thisI'm delighted to have received my copy of JD Dillon's brand new book 'The Frontline Enablement Playbook: Equip Your Deskless Workforce to Power Organizational Performance'. It’s the first book focused on how organisations can better support their frontline and deskless teams. It brings together perspectives and field-tested practices from global contributors across industries like retail, healthcare, grocery, construction, manufacturing, hospitality and more. I'm proud to have contributed some words too! Get your copy of The Frontline Enablement Playbook when it drops on May 5! Pre-order here: https://lnkd.in/euTZ8FQT
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David James shared thisNext week, I'll be speaking at LEARNTEC in Karlsruhe, Germany and in the exhibition on the 6th and 7th May. If you'd like to schedule some time to meet while I'm there, please feel free to do so via this link: https://lnkd.in/euiXPwP5
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David James reacted on thisDavid James reacted on thisIf you take a snapshot of how L&D pros are using AI right now, the vast majority are typing prompts into ChatGPT, Claude or your poison of choice, and praying that something good comes out. That's where everyone starts, but I feel like too many are stuck here. Knowing how to craft clear and reusable skills that AI can utilise is going to separate you from the majority of people around you In a recent Steal These Thoughts! newsletter I shared a beginners guide for L&D teams on crafting skill .md files that you can use with your LLM of choice. 🔗 Get more on the what, why and how of that → https://lnkd.in/ezfv4JKQ #education #artificialintelligence
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David James reacted on thisDavid James reacted on thisI only caught 15 minutes of David James's AMA on L&D ROI with the L&D Collective this week, but one line stuck: "Measure impact by planning for it first." That's it. That's the whole problem with how most training programs are built. We design the content, run the program, then scramble to prove it worked. Measurement is an afterthought. Flip it. Start with the outcome you're trying to move, define how you'll know if it moved, then build the training. Simple in theory. Rare in practice. Thanks to David James for his time and candour, Karisa Desjardins for the seamless organisation, and the The L&D Collective another great event. 🙌 #LearningAndDevelopment #ROI #TrainingImpact #Customereducation
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David James liked thisI’m currently recruiting for a Fixed Term Performance and Talent Strategy Manager to join my team at British Airways on a fixed-term basis from August 2026 to September 2027. This is a unique opportunity to shape how we identify, develop and retain talent across one of the world’s most recognised airlines. You’ll play a key role in defining our approach to performance, talent, skills, succession planning, career pathways and internal mobility, helping ensure we have the capabilities needed to deliver our future ambitions. We’re looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery, can influence at senior levels, and is passionate about creating fair, inclusive and high-impact talent solutions. If you’re interested in learning more about the role, the team or the package, please feel free to drop me a message! #HRJobs #TalentManagement #PerformanceManagement #OrganisationalEffectiveness #PeopleStrategy #LeadershipDevelopment #BritishAirways #Hiring #HRCareersPerformance and Talent Strategy Manager at British AirwaysPerformance and Talent Strategy Manager at British Airways
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David James reacted on thisDavid James reacted on thisThe morning 🌅 after the night before…in a week where the Milburn review has once again shone a needed light (it’s not new news 🗞️) on youth unemployment it was humbling to be invited by Borders College and enjoy a brilliant evening put together by a great set of students. 🫶🏻 All who have fabulous stories of drive and adversity that won’t make the news. It was also great to meet a wide variety of businesses and stakeholders who can all play a role in the time ahead across The Scottish Borders Scottish Borders Council South of Scotland Enterprise Center Parcs UK & Ireland #talent #businessimapct #earlycareer
Experience & Education
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360Learning
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Licenses & Certifications
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MBTI Step I
OPP
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360 Degree Feedback
Hay Group
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Team Development Profile
TMSDI LIMITED
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Volunteer Experience
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L&D Advisory Board Member
CIPD
- 2 years 8 months
Education
Publications
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Help Employees Get Outstanding Results: Go Beyond the Limits of Courses
Learning Solutions Magazine
See publicationHelping employees to do what they want to do (better) means fully understanding how they are learning what they need for their jobs now. The opportunity to extend successful behaviours and outcomes—beyond the limitations of the ‘course’—is one that can truly impact performance and productivity. As well as impacting personal effectiveness, there is the potential to positively affect engagement too, if employees are better equipped to perform.
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Tips for Increasing Engagement in Online Learning
Learning Solutions Magazine
See publicationOften times, tips for engaging learners in corporate online learning include external features and novel delivery methods. These range from using animations, “real-life” scenarios, game-design, leaderboards, and badges. But with learners actually spending more time learning and developing themselves outside of the corporate learning infrastructure, knowing what is appealing for them could have us directing our efforts and attention in a more focused approach that leads to greater engagement…
Often times, tips for engaging learners in corporate online learning include external features and novel delivery methods. These range from using animations, “real-life” scenarios, game-design, leaderboards, and badges. But with learners actually spending more time learning and developing themselves outside of the corporate learning infrastructure, knowing what is appealing for them could have us directing our efforts and attention in a more focused approach that leads to greater engagement, activity and—more importantly—results.
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Getting started with digital learning
Training Zone
See publicationGoogle recently claimed: We no longer 'go online', we live online; always on, always connected. There has been a sea change in our lives, in business and in learning - and there is an appetite now for the right digital learning solutions.
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The Role of Mobile in Learning
Learning Solutions Magazine
See publicationTechnology we now have at our fingertips empowers us all to create video content as quickly as it takes to say a message and show a task. It’s not expected to be high-production quality these days. What matters more is that, in their micro- moments of need, your people are able to quickly and easily find the contextually relevant resources they want to engage with, when they need to know and perform.
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Pre-onboarding: From 'Yes' to 'Desk'
Training Journal
See publicationCapitalising on the excitement that somebody has for starting a new job is a no-brainer but not-doing-so has become the unfortunate norm. Think of what you want to achieve and go all out to make this happen.
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How your organisation is killing your Leadership Development initiatives
Training Magazine Europe
See publicationWhat people see and experience in their day-to-day will have a bigger impact on them than any development program or training course. And if there is disconnect between what is taught and what is seen, then people will take on the behaviour they see role-modelled and rewarded. So how exactly might your organisation be killing your leadership development initiatives? And perhaps more importantly, what should you do about it?
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Hands-up for Learning
Training Journal
Wrote the lead article in Training Journal describing how L&D can be the orchestrators of organisational learning and tap into the collective intelligence and will to participate of the whole organisation.
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HR Upside Down
This time it's personnel: Humane resourced 2
Contribution to the second edition of HR book of blogs, curated by David D'Souza
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Training Zone Interviews: WeCommend's David James
Training Zone
See publicationAn interview with me for Training Zone that explores my experiences at Disney, why we started WeCommend, my thoughts on the shape of L&D and some tips for L&D leaders.
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In-the-job Learning
CIPD
See publicationA short article on what excites me about the future possibilities in L&D
Honors & Awards
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The Colin Steed Awards For Outstanding Contribution To Learning
The LPI (Learning & Performance Institute)
The Colin Steed Award is a special award presented to a person who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the learning profession over a number of years.
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