The most powerful learning does not happen in classrooms, it happens in the middle of the job

In this episode of the Rogue L&D Podcast, Tom Bailey is joined by Andy Lancaster, Chief Learning Officer at Reimagine People Development and former Head of Learning at the CIPD.

Andy reflects on over three decades in learning and development and explains why performance, not courses, should be the true focus of the profession. He explores learning in the flow of work, systemic thinking, psychological safety and how technology, including AI, should enable experienced practitioners rather than replace them.

The conversation also dives into reflective practice, burnout, wellbeing, innovation under pressure, and why the best learning solutions often come from the people doing the work. Andy shares personal stories, career lessons, and practical advice for anyone working in L&D, HR or people development.

Key Takeaways

1. Learning is most powerful when it supports performance in real work, not when it pulls people away from it.
2. Technology and AI should amplify experienced practitioners, not replace human judgement and empathy.
3. The greatest learning impact often comes from collaboration, reflection and drawing on hidden capability within organisations.

Timestamps

[00:00:00] Podcast introduction and positioning of Rogue L&D

[00:01:14] Andy Lancaster’s background and learning philosophy

[00:03:06] Instructional design, AI and why humans still matter

[00:05:27] Why performance should be the real focus of L&D

[00:08:02] Learning in the flow of work and systemic thinking

[00:09:43] High impact L&D example created with minimal budget

[00:14:58] AI as real time performance support in healthcare

[00:17:36] Burnout, wellbeing and reflective practice

[00:31:02] Creativity, silversmithing and rediscovering lost passions

[00:38:57] Change, vision and the transtheoretical model of behaviour change

Links

• Andy Lancaster on LinkedIn
• Reimagine People Development
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website