Turns out, balloon phobia and coaching have more in common than you'd think.

This episode digs into one of the most overlooked truths in workplace learning: human-centred L&D isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s the only way forward. With real stories, practical insights, and a sharp lens on coaching and leadership, this conversation explores how to design learning experiences that actually change behaviour and build long-term culture. It also takes a brutally honest look at what happens when organizations skip personalization in favour of generic, one-size-fits-none training.

Tia Chau, a seasoned leadership and culture strategist with 15+ years in people development, dives deep into why traditional content dumping fails, how AI is misunderstood in HR, and what it actually takes to influence resistant stakeholders. From coaching missteps to rethinking ROI, this episode is a call to rewire the way we see performance, development, and leadership from the inside out.

Key Takeaways

• Most leadership programs fail because they ignore the human behind the role—Tia lays out how to change that through identity and coaching-first approaches.
• Coaching isn’t just for execs anymore—when used early and often, it becomes a culture-building engine rather than a corrective tactic.
• L&D must stop chasing shiny content and start collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, IT, and HR to create true behavioural change.

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction to Human-Centred L&D[00:06] Vulnerability, Burnout, and Personal Growth in Leadership Development[00:07:35] Exploring AI’s Role in HR and Coaching[00:10:00] Automation vs AI: Misconceptions and Strategic Use[00:13:00] The Problem with Content Dumping in L&D[00:16:00] Applying Agile Methods in Learning Development[00:20:00] Handling Difficult Stakeholders in Learning Projects[00:42:54] Coaching vs Mentoring: What’s the Real Difference?[00:55:00] Personalizing Leadership: Identity and Early Coaching[01:00:00] Personalized Learning Journeys & Humanized Leadership

Links

• Tia Chau on Linkedin
• Tia in Instagram
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website