IMPACT Blog

I read a great blog post from Riverfork Consulting on how agile development relates to change management. Since learning is change (and change is learning), it stands to reason that learning design and implementation can have parallels to agile development.

I expand on this idea and discuss the parallels of the Life Cycle Institute’s course design process and the 12 principles of agile development in this month’s IMPACT newsletter. Be on the lookout for the article next Tuesday, August 10th.

The Power of Improv and Lencioni’s “Getting Naked”

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

I loved writing the title of this blog entry.

A few weeks ago, I blogged about an improv class I attended to learn techniques I can incorporate in training and business. Apparently, Patrick Lencioni had a similar experience and talks about it in his new book, “Getting Naked.”

Whoa, hold on there! The book is not about what you think. It’s about allowing yourself to be vulnerable as a consultant, be aware of weaknesses, humble enough to admit mistakes and brave enough to “enter the danger.”

Talking Trust with World Bank Senior Ethics Program Officer

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

I look forward to reading Thiagi, the training game guru’s newsletter each month. This month’s stuck out to me because I’m giving a presentation on the Speed of Trust simulation this week in Norfolk, VA.

In this month’s issue, Brian Remer interviews Kurt Nemes, Senior Ethics Program Officer with the World Bank on trust in the business environment.

Jumping Ship on the Old Leadership Style Webinar

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Join our guest Impact columnist, David Marquet, for a free, 30-minute webinar on leadership. Here’s a preview:

In this webinar, David Marquet, former Captain of the USS Santa Fe, explains why leaders should jump ship on the old leadership style where leaders give orders and employees follow. Giving orders only creates followers without energy, passion or ownership. As work moves from physical to intellectual, employees require control, competence and clarity of purpose to be productive. In this new world of work, employees lead themselves and leaders create the structure for them to do so. Marquet implemented this new style aboard the Santa Fe and so powerful were the results, that noted author Dr. Stephen Covey rode his ship and wrote about it in The 8th Habit, stating “Never before had I observed such empowerment.”

ASTD Publishing Opportunity

Friday, May 21st, 2010

If you’re an ASTD member and would like to get your work published, check out the latest project editor Elaine Biech is putting together. Road Tested Activities for Trainers will be a collection of tried-and-true activities by trainers, for trainers. You’ll get authoring credit and your bio will be included in the book. Click here for info on how to submit your activity.

Social Media Revolution Video

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

I was made aware of this video from Lenn Millbower’s Learnertainment newsletter. The Social Media Revolution video will make you get up and consider how social networking is affecting our work, our lives and how we share information. The statistics are questionable; they come from a book called SocialNomics by Erik Qualman.

It’s a fascinating prospect to think of the opportunities and challenges social media can offer for learning and development. I’m not quite sure I even grasp them all yet, but am open to possibilities. Are you using any social media in your training engagements today?

What the NYC Car Bomb Teaches About Learning and Collaboration

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Elliot Masie publishes Learning TRENDS, a cutting-edge newsletter of the freshest thoughts popping up in the learning community. This week Elliot published a special report, contemplating the car bomb evasion, its connection to learning and collaboration and what we can take from this important event.

Duane Jackson was the street vendor who noticed the car bomb and alerted police. Police frequently work with vendors because they’re always on the scene. Duane is a Vietnam veteran with strong observation skills — a perfect watch dog for one of the most crowded intersections in our nation.

Malcolm Gladwell Talks Writing, Culture and His Favorite Teacher

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Elliot Masie is already scheduling great speakers for his Learning 2010 conference this year (Apollo Ono, anyone?). I didn’t attend last year’s conference, but via enews and posted videos I’ve received insights from Learning ’09. One person I’m interested in is Malcolm Gladwell, author of “Blink” and “The Outliers.” I took a look at the interviews Masie held with Gladwellduring the Learning 2009 conference, and think his comments about his favorite teacher, how Twitter and blogging can scuplt better writers, and thoughts on ”expertise is action” display a passion for learning and life that’s inspiring.

Check out the collection of eight 1-2 minute interviews here.

Are You an Idea Pack Rat?

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Copyblogger.com recently posted a motivating entry: “The Alexander Graham Bell Guide to Changing the World.” The post takes a quick look at 2 people that could be credited with the invention of the telephone prior to Bell. So why is Bell credited with the telephone?

New Evidence Supports Limited Use of PowerPoint, Bullets

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

I get loads of email newsletters. Some stand out, some don’t. One of my favorites to read is Bob Pike Group’s enewsletter. This month’s article included a summary of new research that supports the Life Cycle Institute’s position on text and bullet-point-full slides: they’re not effective! Check out the article New Evidence that Bullet Points Don’t Work, gleen some tips and go forth without bullets.

My tidbit of advice: focus on the ”need to know” of your presentation. Focus on the objective of your talk or class. Strip away the excess to showcase the main point, using slides as visual support to your message.