What a pleasure attending the L&D Symposium in the picturesque Hunter Valley, a real highlight of the year so far. The event was a remarkable gathering of industry leaders, filled with insightful sessions and inspiring conversations. I am excited to share some of the key takeaways and valuable insights from this enriching experience.
Aligning Learning with Business Strategy
One of the standout sessions was Kaitlyn Massey from Sanofi discussing how learning strategies must align closely with business goals. Her focus on transitioning to a skills-based organisation really struck a chord. This approach isn’t just a trend—it’s essential for creating measurable impact in today’s fast-changing workplace. Great to see other learning leaders motivated to continue their work in this area.
The Power of Storytelling and Influence
Christine and James from Peeplcoach, along with their clients, delivered authentic stories that highlighted real-world challenges and successes. Arun Pradhan from ANZ further explored this by simplifying the hero’s journey in organisational storytelling and unpacking the politics of influence. These sessions reminded me how vital storytelling is in driving change and engagement.
Trust and AI: A Wake-Up Call
Ian from UTS shared eye-opening research revealing that only 36% of Australians trust AI more than they fear its risks—the lowest in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. This statistic sparked my curiosity and we had some lively AI discussions across the 2 days. We need to build trust through transparency and education if AI is to be embraced effectively in workplaces.
Performance Consulting: From Buzzword to Impact
A panel discussion led by Deepti Sachdeva featured Ryan Tracy from Optus, Ravina Bhatia from Merivale, Anthea Piening from Asahi Beverages, and Mindy Rice from TPG, who emphasised how performance consulting has evolved. The focus is no longer on rebranding but on delivering real outcomes that drive organisational success. This shift challenges us to think differently about our role as learning professionals.
Future-Proofing L&D Practitioners
Andy Chevis from LIW introduced the “3C’s” framework—critical for focusing on what we want to achieve and why. Amanda Ashby from Oricon facilitated a World Cafe session that sparked deep conversations about measurement, evaluation, and innovation. Their insights underscored the importance of continuous learning for those of us shaping workplace development.
A Personal Highlight: The Impact of Coach M
One of the most humbling moments was hearing firsthand about the positive impact Coach M’s work has had on individuals and organisations. It was incredibly rewarding to see the positive outcomes and the joy that learning transfer brings to others. And I felt very lucky to have so many shout outs from the stage!
The L&D Symposium was not only inspiring but also full of practical ideas. I’m excited to apply and of course will be Turning my Learning into Action! Looking forward to continuing the conversations with those I met and shared with over the 2 days. Many thanks to Ashton Media for organising such a valuable event. I look forward to next year’s gathering!
