Workplace Stories by RedThread Research

By: Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson
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  • Summary

  • At RedThread, we love our data, but we know that what you remember is stories. So we spend time listening to thinkers, writers, leaders, and practitioners as they tell their stories about what works in the workplace, what they’ve learned, and what they hope to see in the future. We hope you find it inspirational, motivational, and a touch irreverent.
    RedThread Research 2024
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Economics Management
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Episodes
  • Redefining Learning and Development at McKinsey: Lisa Christensen

    Redefining Learning and Development at McKinsey: Lisa Christensen
    Oct 9 2024
    What if your L&D team could shift from merely delivering training to truly driving your company’s strategic goals? In this conversation, we talk with Lisa Christensen, McKinsey’s Director of Learning and Innovation. Lisa takes a refreshingly strategic approach, asking not just how L&D can support learning but “To what end?” She shares how her focus on outcomes over output has reshaped McKinsey’s approach to everything from people analytics to building a strong feedback culture.

    We also talk about why L&D should embrace experimentation, moving far beyond traditional course delivery to tackle big organizational challenges. Lisa makes the case for L&D to collaborate closely with People Analytics and Legal to ensure that learning initiatives aren’t just reactive but strategically positioned for future growth. Her “no regrets” actions offer useful, bold steps for L&D leaders, inspiring us to see the function as a driver of both human and organizational transformation.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • Why McKinsey's L&D team always starts with the question, "To what end?" [1:00]
    • The risk of L&D focusing only on short-term skill needs [15:00]
    • Collaboration with People Analytics transforming L&D's impact [18:00]
    • L&D teams losing their value by sticking to outdated metrics [20:00]
    • What it means for L&D to have an experimental mindset [31:00]
    • How L&D leaders can ensure their department's stability and credibility [37:00]
    • The “no regrets” actions every L&D team should consider right now [43:00]
    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Oliver Wyman Report on Workforce Future
    • McKinsey’s Learning & Innovation Center of Excellence
    Connect with Lisa Christensen
    • Connect with Lisa Christensen on LinkedIn
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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    47 mins
  • Mitchel MacNair: Crown Castle - Making Employee Development Strategic

    Mitchel MacNair: Crown Castle - Making Employee Development Strategic
    Sep 25 2024
    How do you turn a skeptical organization into a believer in the power of Learning & Development? We interviewed Mitchel MacNair, Director of Talent Development and Learning at Crown Castle to find out. Mitchel takes us on a journey from his unconventional background in nuclear engineering and the Navy to leading transformational change in L&D. He tells us how he reshaped Crown Castle’s learning function by aligning it with business strategy, building credibility through data-driven results, and elevating its impact across the organization.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • How Mitchel’s background in the Navy prepared him for L&D leadership [4:35]
    • Handling the loss of 50% of the L&D team within Mitchel’s first six months [6:20]
    • How organizational chaos impacts strategic L&D changes at Crown Castle [9:29]
    • Transforming L&D from "order takers" to strategic business partners [10:58]
    • The role of the principal designer in Crown Castle’s L&D success [13:20]
    • Collaborating with other functions to focus on outcomes [15:10]
    • Why obtaining business performance data early is critical for L&D success [18:17]
    • Demonstrating a 192% increase in services sold through L&D programs [23:00]
    • How Crown Castle developed their AI policies [35:10]
    • L&D’s role in Crown Castle's skills strategy and future talent planning [41:00]
    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Is Your Genius at Work by Dick Richards
    • Nick Shackleton-Jones (LinkedIn Thought Leader)
    Connect with Mitchel MacNair
    • Mitchel MacNair on LinkedIn
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
    Show more Show less
    44 mins
  • HR, Workforce Automation, and GenAI at Merck: Jeremy Shapiro & Chris Shultz

    HR, Workforce Automation, and GenAI at Merck: Jeremy Shapiro & Chris Shultz
    Sep 11 2024
    Jeremy Shapiro, AVP of Human Resources and Workforce Analytics, and Chris Shultz, Director of HR Intelligent Automation and Gen AI at Merck join us in this forward-thinking conversation. Learn how (and why) Merck is embracing AI to streamline HR processes, support innovation, and maintain ethical considerations. This was hugely educational for us and we hope you get a glimpse into the future of HR tech.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • What does the future of HR look like in an AI-driven world? [1:17]
    • How can AI serve as a translator and guide for HR professionals? [7:47]
    • How Merck ensures AI is implemented responsibly [8:51]
    • How Merck leveraging AI for massive efficiency gains in HR [12:45]
    • How Merck determines what AI solutions to build internally [16:54]
    • Can HR keep pushing the efficiency frontier with AI, or is there a limit? [19:19]
    • How organizations can support the mental well-being of AI engineers [25:16]
    • How ethics play a crucial role in the development of AI [31:12]
    • What key strategies should HR leaders focus on in the next six months? [37:03]

    Resources & People Mentioned
    • Keith McNulty’s (McKinsey & Company) post about the bias of LLMs
    • BCG’s Research on AI in the workplace
    • Glint (HR tool)
    • Workday (HR tool)
    Connect with our Guests
    • Jeremy Shapiro
    • Chris Shultz
    Connect With Red Thread Research
    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
    Show more Show less
    43 mins

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