Release Date: Dec 30
The future of learning and development is already here—and it’s about so much more than basic content delivery. In this dynamic episode of The Learnit Lounge, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, is joined by leadership futurist and ShiftWell AI co-founder Jordana Cole for a candid conversation on what it actually takes to move from “learning” to “doing” inside organizations. Together, they bust persistent myths about L&D, reveal why so many programs fail to drive actual behavior change, and explore how learning leaders can become true business partners. Packed with frameworks, real-life stories, and actionable strategies, this episode is your playbook for making learning stick and fueling sustainable growth.
Whether you’re ready to drop learning objectives for session goals, want tips on bridging cross-functional silos, or need new ways to measure the real ROI of your work, this is the episode for you. Expect plenty of “hot takes,” practical tools, and inspiration to shift your L&D mindset.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to move from a “learning” to a “doing” paradigm in L&D – and why most programs miss the mark on behavior change.
- The biggest red flags that signal when learning won’t stick—and how to fix them with practice and true relevance.
- Why L&D leaders must act as product owners and strategic business partners (plus, how to get into ALL the right conversations).
- A 4-question framework to transform your program design and ensure learning meets real business outcomes.
- The power of cross-functional cohorts, and how to drive shared accountability for learning, growth, and culture change.
- Measures that matter: going beyond smile sheets to track real shifts in behavior, stories, and business impact.
In This Episode:
- 00:00 – Meet your host and today’s guest, Jordana Cole
- 01:41 – Shifting from training delivery to behavior change
- 04:07 – The “doing paradigm” explained: why knowledge isn’t enough
- 05:19 – How ShiftWell got its name—and the story behind it
- 06:10 – Why L&D programs fail to create real change
- 08:29 – Four essential questions to guide effective program design
- 09:35 – Red flags that learning won’t stick (and how to spot them)
- 10:57 – Why practice is non-negotiable for behavior change
- 13:33 – Moving L&D from order taker to business partner
- 14:03 – How to get a seat at the strategic table
- 18:15 – Building shared ownership and accountability for learning
- 19:45 – Using cohorts to break silos and drive alignment
- 23:42 – The right metrics: what to measure beyond satisfaction
- 27:12 – A real-world example of designing for frontline teams
- 31:04 – The irreplaceable value of stories and qualitative data
- 32:08 – Jordana’s biggest leadership lesson—and what she’s learned about influence
- 34:02 – The uncomfortable truth about “leadership development”
- 36:38 – How to connect with Jordana and learn more
About Jordana Cole
Jordana Cole, PCC, is the co-founder and Chief Product & Research Officer at ShiftWell AI, a platform blending applied positive psychology, behavior change, and AI to help every employee reach their absolute best. With more than a decade leading L&D and talent programs across nonprofits and Fortune 50 companies, Jordana’s superpower is bridging human potential research and real-world strategy. She is globally recognized as a consultant, coach, and TEDx speaker, featured on countless webinars, podcasts, and articles at the intersection of well-being, leadership, and organizational results.
Resources Referenced:
- ShiftWell AI website
- Jordana Cole on LinkedIn
- Learnit: https://www.learnit.com
- Connect with Mickey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyfitchcollins/
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