The Challenge
Autodesk’s Trust team was in a common spot. They had already delivered some great foundational leadership training but weren’t sure what to do next. They wanted to keep their managers learning and growing without repeating the same material.
At the same time, the team was navigating the realities of hybrid work. Most managers were remote and rarely saw each other outside of team meetings. Some were new to leadership, others had been with Autodesk for years. Across the board, they needed tools for better communication, collaboration, and clarity, especially when priorities were shifting fast. Leaders were taking on new work without stepping back to reprioritize. As a result, teams were stretched thin, communication was breaking down, and it wasn’t always clear what was falling through the cracks.
The Learnit Solution
Learnit partnered with Autodesk to design a six-part leadership series for their Trust managers. The program was intentionally spaced out, every other month, to give managers time to reflect, practice, and come back ready to build on what they’d learned.
Topics included:
- Supercharged Collaboration
- Deal with Conflict
- Negotiate for Shared Success
- Solve Problems Creatively
- Design a Vision for Your Team
- Develop Business Stories
Each session built on the one before it, starting with how to connect and collaborate, then moving into conflict, negotiation, storytelling, and vision setting.
To make the experience stick, the program included:
- Instructor prep calls for every session
- Workbooks and follow-up resources
- Optional coaching questions for managers to use in one-on-ones
- Access to Learnit Anytime for on-demand refreshers
It wasn’t just about the content, it was about creating a space where managers could step out of their day-to-day, learn something new, and connect with each other.
Results & Impact
The program is still running, but the impact is already showing up.
Managers are feeling more confident and connected:
“It was so helpful to hear that other teams are dealing with the same things we are. I got real ideas I can use with my team right away.”
They’re thinking more strategically:
“This helped me rethink how I prioritize. I don’t have to say yes to everything and now I know how to communicate that.”
They’re excited to keep learning:
After just a couple sessions, Autodesk reached out asking about new workshops to support their managers through ongoing change and shifting priorities.
The format is working:
Managers appreciated the mix of content and conversation. They loved the small group breakouts, the chance to hear from peers, and the immediate takeaways they could bring back to their teams.
“There was just the right balance of structure and open space to talk. I left energized.”
Why It Worked
- It met them where they were
The program was designed for real-world challenges, not abstract theory. Remote collaboration, shifting priorities, tough conversations it was all in there. - It was paced to stick
By spreading sessions out and focusing on one skill at a time, managers had space to reflect, try things out, and come back for more. - It created connection
Many managers were working in silos. This series gave them a shared experience, and a shared language, for leading their teams. - It opened new doors
The sessions sparked conversations about time management, team trust, and leading through uncertainty. It became clear that this wasn’t just training it was leadership development that actually fit.
What’s Next
As the Trust team heads into another year of rapid change and uncertainty, they’re looking at what comes next. Topics like motivating teams, building trust, and adapting to new technology (hello, AI) are top of mind.
They’re also getting more intentional about keeping the learning alive, using coaching questions, manager check-ins, and small group conversations to reinforce what’s been learned and keep the momentum going.
What started as a simple leadership training series has grown into something bigger, a culture of continuous learning, clearer communication, and stronger leadership across the board.
