Podcast Summary “Embracing Ambiguity and Leading Innovation in L&D with Danielle Willinger of GALLO”
In this episode of the Learning Leader Spotlight podcast, host Leigh Anne Lankford engaged in a compelling conversation with Danielle Willinger, Senior Manager of Instructional Design at Gallo. The discussion delved into Danielle’s professional journey, her insights on the evolving landscape of Learning and Development (L&D), and her perspectives on leadership and mentorship within the industry.
The Journey into Learning and Development
Danielle’s foray into the L&D field was somewhat serendipitous. Initially aspiring to be a high school English teacher, she realized that path wasn’t her true calling. This realization led her to apply for an instructional designer role, a decision that marked the beginning of her 13-year career in L&D. She spent eight of those years at The Home Depot, where she held various roles encompassing instructional design, learning execution, strategy, and leadership. Her experience spans multiple business sectors, including sales, supply chain, retail, home services, and marketing. Danielle’s passion lies in facilitating others’ success, whether through onboarding, ongoing development, or preparing individuals for their next roles.
Danielle’s transition from aspiring teacher to instructional designer highlighted the similarities between teaching and L&D, particularly in addressing the unique learning needs of adults. She expressed a deep appreciation for the broad impact she could make and the opportunity to connect with various business areas through the learning department. The dynamic nature of the job, which offers continuous learning opportunities, keeps her engaged and enthusiastic.
Recent Changes in Learning and Development (L&D)
Over the past three to five years, Danielle has observed significant shifts in content development approaches within L&D. The traditional linear development process, often guided by the ADDIE model, has given way to more agile methodologies. Danielle spearheaded the transition to Agile Learning Development at Home Depot, resulting in faster content creation, improved alignment with business needs, easier adaptability to changes, and increased engagement among designers. This agile approach addresses the common concern that training development can be time-consuming, thereby enhancing efficiency and responsiveness.
The Future of Learning and Development
Looking ahead, Danielle anticipates that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will profoundly influence the L&D sector. Many companies are actively exploring AI’s potential in content development, such as scriptwriting, voiceover recording, video drafting, and image sourcing. By automating these tasks, L&D professionals can focus on strategic, creative, and human-centric aspects of their roles. Additionally, AI can streamline administrative processes, freeing up time for more impactful work. Danielle emphasizes the need for upskilling and reskilling within the L&D workforce to effectively leverage technology and support learners within their workflow. She advocates for moving beyond traditional training methods that pull individuals away from their work, instead integrating learning seamlessly into daily tasks.
Influential Mentorship
Throughout her career, Danielle has benefited from numerous mentors, with Imani Mance standing out as particularly influential. Imani’s welcoming demeanor, personalized guidance, and commitment to Danielle’s growth exemplify the profound impact of mentorship. She encouraged Danielle to pursue her passions rather than conforming to perceived expectations, a philosophy that has shaped Danielle’s approach to her career. Danielle aspires to have a similar positive influence on others in the future.
Essential Skills in L&D
Danielle identifies the ability to manage ambiguity as a crucial yet challenging skill to find in the L&D field. The nature of learning and development often involves navigating complex, unclear situations. Success in L&D requires the capacity to dissect intricate business problems, distill essential information from extensive documentation, and deliver training on nuanced topics. Those who excel in managing ambiguity can effectively collaborate, innovate, and develop solutions that benefit all stakeholders. Given the difficulty in training this skill, hiring individuals who naturally possess it is advantageous, with further refinement occurring throughout their careers.
Recommended Resources
To stay informed about industry trends, Danielle recommends several resources:
- Learning Solutions by the Learning Guild: Offers relevant and up-to-date articles on L&D topics.
- Association for Talent Development (ATD): Provides valuable insights and opportunities for professional development. Danielle encourages involvement with local ATD chapters to connect with fellow learning professionals.
- Morning Brew: A business news publication that helps L&D professionals stay informed about broader business trends, enhancing their ability to align learning initiatives with organizational goals.
Recommended Reading
For those aspiring to become learning leaders, Danielle suggests reading “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” by Marshall Goldsmith. The book emphasizes the importance of continuous self-improvement and adapting one’s skills to achieve ongoing success. She also recommends “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg, particularly for female leaders, as it offers insights into gaining confidence and finding one’s place in the workforce, especially when balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
Danielle’s insights underscore the dynamic and evolving nature of the L&D field. Her experiences highlight the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the ability to navigate ambiguity. As the industry embraces technological advancements like AI, professionals must be prepared to evolve, focusing on strategic and human-centric aspects of their roles to drive impactful learning experiences.
Listen to Danielle’s podcast here.
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