The future of work, shaped by 65 people practitioners
On 5-6 February 2026, 65 senior talent and HR leaders gathered in Amsterdam to collectively help shape the future of work. L&D expert Nigel Paine reports on the four themes that brought them together – from harnessing AI for good to rethinking leadership development in a world without certainty.
From counting completions to driving revenue: The essential L&D skill set
L&D leaders are no longer judged on how many courses they run or who attends. They’re solving business problems, proving ROI, and making learning work in the flow of everyday life. Brad Batesole of Madecraft explores this fundamental shift and the skills required to succeed as a talent development professional today.
2026 L&D predictions: The year of resets, workflow and real human connection
What will shape L&D in the year ahead? We asked our top writers of 2025 to share their predictions for 2026. From AI-driven workflow transformation and renewed focus on human relationships, to transferable skills and boundaryless performance, here’s what lies ahead for the profession.
Personal development: how to increase your adaptability
Are you as adaptable as you think? Here’s how to find out – and increase your skills.
Applying Johns Reflection Model to your learning process
Applying Johns Reflection Model to the learning process will help individuals and teams grow.
Why L&D needs to put on Superman’s cape in 2026
Learning and development has spent too long playing Clark Kent – quietly capable but underestimated. Erica Farmer, Business Director at Quantum Rise Talent Group Ltd, argues 2025 proved it’s time to put on Superman’s cape. Can your function shed the mild-mannered act and embrace its strategic superpowers: vision, capability building, and evidence-driven impact?
How to choose the LMS that’s right for you – and your reskilling and upskilling needs
How do you pick the LMS that meets your organisation’s unique needs? It starts with asking the right questions and consulting deeply with stakeholders. Here, Natalie Ann Holborow of Synergy Learning outlines how to match your skills requirements to LMS features – basing your choice around business goals, not a flashy sales pitch.
2025 in review: Did the L&D experts get it right?
With the end of the year drawing closer, we asked 11 L&D experts to look back at their 2025 forecasting. Did they get it right? Were they woefully wrong? Find out here.
Free Skills Starter tool: Helping employers turn skills challenges into action
With only 46% of UK organisations having a written skills plan in place, The Open University (OU) and TrainingZone have created a free tool to help organisations move from concern to concrete action on their workforce skills gaps.
Iterative learning: The fourth I of real learning
Our fast-paced world pushes us to learn a new skill on our first attempt. To tick the box and move on to the next thing. But, in reality, mastering anything new requires constant revisitation and a hefty dose of ‘digging deep’. In his Six Is of learning model, Andrew Gibbons explains why iterative learning, although painstaking, is essential to reaching our goals.
Incremental learning: The third I of real learning
Many of us have great ambitions to pick up a new skill as quickly as possible. But the reality is that we learn most effectively in small, gradual steps. In his Six Is of learning model, Andrew Gibbons explains why incremental learning offers far greater value – at lower cost – than structured training. Discover how to help your learners shift mindsets, slow the pace, and grow sustainably.
Individual learning: The first ‘I’ of real learning
Why do we default to group training when individual learning delivers far greater impact? Exploring the ‘Individual’ component of his new learning model, Andrew Gibbons reveals how one-to-one development – though demanding more skill – creates far greater value than other L&D approaches.
Personalised learning: A long overdue shift away from box-ticking
While organisations continue rolling out one-size-fits-all programmes, people disengage from irrelevant content that fails to meet their real needs. Des Anderson, co-founder of LearnUpon, reveals how AI-powered personalised learning transforms L&D from compliance box-ticking into strategic skill development.
The six Is of real learning: A new model for L&D
How often can you honestly say your L&D efforts have created lasting behavior change – not just course completions? With four decades of learning expertise, Andrew Gibbons presents his Six Is of Learning Model: a practical framework that helps L&D cultivate sustained performance that learners, ultimately, drive themselves.
The new rules of delegation: Trust first, tasks second
Delegation isn’t just about sharing workload – it’s about building trust and creating psychological safety. Dr Anna Barnett of Mindtools explores how shifting from task-focused to trust-first delegation transforms teams, drives innovation, and empowers both leaders and employees.
Skills-based organisations: The role of learning and development
Skills-based learning is gaining ground, but what exactly is it? And how can learning and development support the transition towards this future-ready approach?
Unlocking and nurturing your workplace genius
We rely on geniuses for their innovative ideas, to solve complex problems and to inspire and invigorate with fresh perspectives and knowledge. So how can we unlock and support the potential of our geniuses in the workplace?
Is it weak to focus on strengths? Is it strong to examine weakness?
While coaching practices vary, there is a trend towards developing strengths. But it’s important to balance strengths and weaknesses. Here are some practical considerations to empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Active listening in coaching: A leadership essential
Coaching expert Matt Somers explores how Julian Treasure’s five listening practices can transform your leadership. Discover how active listening in coaching builds trust, boosts performance and creates deeper, more meaningful conversations with your team.
AI leadership skills: Genuine asset or digital window dressing?
Leaders are racing to add AI skills such as ‘prompt engineering’ to their LinkedIn profiles – but are they real or just for show? L&D expert Robin Hoyle explores why genuine AI literacy matters, how HR and L&D can bridge the adoption gap, and what’s at stake if leaders get it wrong.