Byte-Sized L&D
Byte-Sized L&D is an essential micro-podcast for Learning and Development professionals seeking to stay at the forefront of their field without carving out hours from their busy schedules. Each episode, delivered in bite-sized segments, zeroes in on the most pivotal news and trends within the L&D landscape. From integrating AI in learning strategies to the evolving role of corporate training in a remote-first world, Byte-Sized L&D offers concise, powerful insights and innovative solutions to the challenges faced by today’s L&D community #L&D #MicroLearning #eLearning #AI #Learning #EdTech
Episodes
July 14, 2025 • 22 mins
In a discussion on Byte-sized L&D, Donna and Yakov Lasker explore how AI is reshaping talent development and hiring strategies. Despite AI's productivity boost, it creates challenges like code quality issues, necessitating a shift in hiring focus from coding speed to critical evaluation skills. Emphasizing judgment, strategic thinking, and business context understanding over traditional technical skills becomes vital. HR depart...
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July 7, 2025 • 9 mins
A discussion on workplace culture highlights the dangers of mission-driven environments becoming toxic, using OpenAI's recent struggles as a case study. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of balancing meaningful work with employee wellbeing, recognizing burnout as a systemic issue, and ensuring missions do not lead to unsustainable practices. Sustainable success requires prioritizing people alongside purpose.
#workplaceculture...
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June 30, 2025 • 21 mins
Donna and Yakov discuss the pitfalls of having HR and Learning & Development report to the Chief Financial Officer instead of the CEO. This setup, though seemingly logical, often misaligns HR's strategic goals with financial priorities, treating people as costs rather than assets. Solutions include direct CEO reporting or creating a Chief People Officer role for better strategic alignment.
#HR, #LearningAndDevelopment, #Financ...
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June 23, 2025 • 14 mins
In this discussion on Byte-sized L&D, Donna and Yakov explore the nuances of micromanagement and its impact on leadership. They argue that while micromanagement is often seen negatively, it can be a critical tool when used strategically. Effective leaders balance hands-on involvement with delegation, using micromanagement to model excellence and address specific challenges. Leaders should assess whether their involvement is emp...
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June 16, 2025 • 9 mins
In this episode of Byte-sized L&D, hosts Donna and Yakov discuss toxic workplaces, emphasizing the importance of recognizing harmful behaviors, especially as generational attitudes shift. They highlight the role of learning and development (L&D) professionals in addressing these issues through documentation, boundary setting, and creating safe environments. The conversation underscores the need for proactive strategies and ...
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June 12, 2025 • 9 mins
Donna and Yakov discuss executive presence, a skill crucial for professional growth. They emphasize that it's not innate but learnable, focusing on clear communication, strategic alignment, understanding subtext, and problem-solving. Building rapport and driving conversations toward decisions are key. Practicing these skills can enhance one’s influence and effectiveness at work.
#ExecutivePresence, #ProfessionalGrowth, #ClearCommu...
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June 9, 2025 • 13 mins
The discussion explores the challenges faced by "skip leads," or managers of managers. It emphasizes that managing managers requires distinct skills compared to overseeing individual contributors. Key points include avoiding undermining or covering for line managers, employing task-relevant maturity for effective delegation, and recognizing the significant influence skip leads have on organizational dynamics.
#management, #leaders...
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June 5, 2025 • 9 mins
In this episode of Byte-Sized L&D, hosts Donna and Yakov discuss the concept of "quiet quitting" and propose a new approach called "loud living" for learning and development (L&D) professionals. This involves setting clear boundaries, being transparent about work needs, and focusing on quality rather than quantity, ultimately leading to improved work-life integration and sustainable professional development. The hosts empha...
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June 2, 2025 • 12 mins
Donna and Yakov explore the cultural shift around privacy and authenticity in the digital age. They discuss how constant sharing has blurred lines between visibility and genuine connection, impacting personal and professional lives. They emphasize the value of maintaining privacy, discerning what to share, and nurturing genuine relationships over curated online personas.
#PrivacyParadox, #DigitalAge, #Authenticity, #OnlinePrivacy,...
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May 26, 2025 • 11 mins
Organizations face a paradox: they need skilled talent but deprioritize training. As technology evolves, companies struggle to find specific skills, highlighting the need to develop talent internally. Success stories like Amazon and AT&T show high returns on investment in upskilling programs. Convincing executives requires demonstrating tangible business benefits and pilot program successes.
#skills, #training, #business, #ups...
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May 22, 2025 • 21 mins
Middle manager burnout is a critical issue affecting organizations, with alarming statistics showing high risk and active burnout among managers. Factors include structural pressures, lack of training, and understaffed teams. HR can combat this through data-driven prediction, resilience training, and supportive cultures. Successful interventions improve retention, engagement, and organizational performance, highlighting the necessi...
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May 19, 2025 • 13 mins
In this episode of Byte Sized L&D, hosts Donna and Yakov discuss the challenges and opportunities in integrating recent graduates into the workforce. They highlight a disconnect between graduates' skills and workplace expectations, partly due to missed opportunities during remote learning. Emphasizing the need for comprehensive onboarding, feedback, and mental health support, the hosts encourage L&D professionals to adapt s...
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May 15, 2025 • 11 mins
Donna and Yakov explore the relevance of teaching advanced math and physics in college, questioning their practical application in most careers. They discuss the traditional view that these subjects build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, but acknowledge the opportunity costs. Alternatives like statistics and data science are proposed for more applicable learning.
#collegeeducation, #mathskills, #careerdevelopment, #cr...
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May 12, 2025 • 9 mins
Donna and Yakov discuss the pressing issue of time constraints affecting learning and development (L&D) initiatives in workplaces. Research shows time, not interest, is the main barrier. They advocate for embedding learning in daily workflows, emphasizing experiences and immediate value. They highlight the need for learning to adapt to diverse, generational needs and realities.
#TimeBankruptcy, #CorporateLearning, #LearningAnd...
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May 8, 2025 • 8 mins
In the latest episode of Innovation Pulse, hosts Donna and Yakov explore the concept that burnout may stem more from disconnection than overwork. They discuss how fostering genuine connections and empathy at work can combat burnout effectively, citing examples from companies like Brightpath Solutions and Helix Innovations, which saw improved employee well-being by emphasizing interpersonal relationships over traditional wellness pr...
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May 5, 2025 • 11 mins
Donna and Yakov discuss the pervasive issue of toxic management, revealing that over 50% of workers leave jobs to escape bad bosses. They highlight six main factors contributing to toxic leadership, the financial and emotional costs, and strategies for employees and managers to improve or escape such environments. Effective management requires continuous learning and self-awareness, emphasizing relationships and psychological safet...
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May 1, 2025 • 12 mins
Donna and Yakov discuss the importance of delegation for leadership and development in organizations. Effective delegation increases revenue, addresses business challenges, and fosters team growth. Common barriers include leaders' reluctance to let go and fear of becoming less valuable. L&D professionals can help by promoting delegation as a core competency and creating supportive learning environments.
#delegation, #leadershi...
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April 28, 2025 • 8 mins
Donna and Yakov discuss burnout myths in the workplace, emphasizing that a simple vacation or passion for work isn't enough to prevent burnout. They advocate for daily well-being practices like short breaks and setting boundaries. Myths about hustle culture and stress are debunked, highlighting the importance of sustainable self-care and recovery for long-term success and productivity.
#burnout, #wellbeing, #workplace, #selfcare, ...
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April 24, 2025 • 12 mins
The episode of Byte-sized L&D with hosts Donna and Yakov Lasker explores remote work dynamics, focusing on GitHub's pioneering remote-first approach. GitHub emphasizes asynchronous communication, inclusive culture, and results over presence. They effectively use tools, cultural norms, and intentional connection points to maintain collaboration and employee engagement, offering insights for other organizations considering remote...
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April 21, 2025 • 12 mins
In this episode of Byte-sized L&D, hosts Donna and Yakov discuss effective feedback strategies, introducing seven impactful phrases to enhance feedback delivery. These include "This is a great start," "I noticed," "At the same time," "Even more," and "Based on the data points I have." They emphasize the importance of language in facilitating constructive, non-defensive conversations that lead to genuine improvement.
#feedback,...
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