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

What if AI isn’t threatening your job — but exposing how we work?

AI isn’t just another tool rollout, it’s reshaping how people think, work, and relate to their jobs. This episode explores why most AI initiatives struggle, what really drives adoption, and how learning and people teams can lead change without fear, guilt, or burnout. It’s a practical and human conversation about mindset, skills, and designing work that actually supports people.

Drawing on decades of experience across major UK brands and now as a consultant and author, Erica Farmer shares insights from large-scale transformation, neurodivergence, and the realities of running a modern L&D business. As co-founder of Quantum Rise Talent Group and author of AI for People Professionals, she brings a grounded, people-first lens to one of the biggest shifts facing workplaces today.

Key Takeaways

1. I’ve learned that AI adoption fails when we treat it like a system rollout instead of a human shift. Hearts and minds always come before skills and tools.
2. AI isn’t about working faster — it’s about removing mental load so people can do more of what actually matters. That’s the real productivity gain.
3. If L&D doesn’t lead experimentation and mindset change, someone else will. And that’s how the function becomes irrelevant.

Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Introduction & purpose of the podcast
• [00:01:45] Erica’s background and move from corporate to consultancy
• [00:06:10] The realities of running an L&D business
• [00:10:45] AI as more than productivity — the mindset shift
• [00:14:20] The personal “AI dividend” and neurodivergence
• [00:17:30] Why AI adoption fails in organizations
• [00:19:50] Best L&D experience and human-first change design
• [00:27:10] Career failure, neurodivergence, and growth
• [00:33:40] Comic-Con, Marvel, and leadership metaphors
• [00:42:30] Advice for L&D leaders facing AI disruption

Links:

• Erica Farmer on LinkedIn
• Quantum Rise
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

What happens when you let someone interview you on your own podcast and ask what you really think about L&D?

This episode dives into the real truth behind modern L&D, exploring what actually moves performance, what does not, and what most learning teams never say out loud. Listeners will hear how to shift from order taker to strategic partner, why measurement still gets ignored, and how to influence the business by talking the language senior leaders actually use. It is an honest, practical conversation that cuts through the fluff and gets to the heart of what makes L&D valuable.

Kirsty Lewis, award winning founder of School of Facilitation, takes over the microphone and interviews Tom Bailey, ATD award winner and recognised L&D leader. Together they explore the mindset, skills and experiences that shape a high performing people development function, from commercial acumen and internal selling to the influence of AI and the role of real world experiences. For anyone who wants to elevate their L&D impact, this conversation offers grounded insights and fresh thinking without the jargon.

Key Takeaways

1. I realised that the most powerful shift in my career happened when I stopped acting like an employee and started thinking like a consultant.
2. I learned that the vehicle does not matter as much as the outcome, and that measuring real performance is the thing most L&D teams skip.
3. I saw how much better my work became when I stayed connected to the outside world rather than repeating what had always been done.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Welcome to the takeover and setting the tone

[01:00] Why Tom hates being a podcast guest

[02:00] How Tom discovered his real motivation

[03:30] Why business knowledge matters for L&D

[05:15] Sales skills and commercial background shaping L&D success

[07:30] The hidden reality of internal selling in L&D

[09:00] Tom’s biggest soapbox about impact and measurement

[12:30] Why AI will disrupt instructional design

[15:00] The L&D experience that changed Tom’s career

[32:00] Tom’s biggest fails, best lessons and advice for practitioners

[40:00] Final reflections and why the L&D community matters

Links

• Kirsty Lewis on LinkedIn
• School of Facilitation
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website