Podcast Summary “Training the New Generation in Social Skills and Integrating AI with Steve Bullington of Salesforce
From Sales Leader to Talent Developer
Steve Bullington didn’t start his career in Learning and Development, but like many in the field, he discovered his calling through experience. After decades in sales and sales leadership, what really stuck with Steve was how much he enjoyed mentoring and developing people. “I became a sales manager at 25,” he recalls, “and the part I loved most was the training and development piece.” That passion led him to shift his career 11 years ago and dive full-time into L&D, where he could focus not just on meeting quotas, but on transforming careers.
His first major break in L&D came at Interactive Intelligence, a software company in Indianapolis, where he was tapped to build a sales university from the ground up. The program was designed to attract early-career talent and expand diversity within the sales team, an objective that has remained central to his work ever since. That role evolved into global onboarding, but Steve missed the deeper connection of working with learners over time. So, when a friend jokingly sent him a job posting at Salesforce that sounded like his old job, he clicked and never looked back.
Building Scout & RISE at Salesforce
At Salesforce, Steve co-founded Scout Academy, a five-month immersive program for recent college grads entering solution engineering. It was designed as a launchpad, graduates leave ready to step into client-facing roles, translating business needs into tech solutions.
But Scout wasn’t the only innovation. He also helped launch RISE (Readying Internal Solutions Engineers), a parallel program for internal candidates making a career shift into solution engineering. Both are driven by a bigger mission: to increase diversity and create inclusive pathways into tech roles. And the results speak volumes. Over 58% of Scout graduates have been women, and 53% come from underrepresented groups. “We’re truly moving the bar,” Steve says proudly.
The Shifts Reshaping L&D
When asked about recent changes in L&D, Steve didn’t hesitate: “Technology and multigenerational shifts.” As organizations adopted more virtual tools post-COVID, they also began to better meet the needs of Gen Z and millennial learners. These digital natives expect flexibility, real-time resources, and learning in context like within their CRM or on their phone, not in a weeklong off-site.
Gone are the days of “firehose training.” Today’s learners want personalized, on-demand support. For L&D professionals, that means designing learning experiences that meet people where they are, using the tech they already rely on.
What’s Next? Practical AI
Looking ahead, Steve sees artificial intelligence as the next big disruptor but not in the way people might think. “Most companies don’t need to build their own large language model,” he argues. Instead, the real opportunity lies in how existing platforms (like LMSs or HR systems) incorporate AI into their features. The winners, he predicts, will be partners that “bring those tools to bear on what we’re already doing.”
Rather than reinventing the wheel, L&D teams should look for vendors who are embedding AI to make daily workflows smarter be it recommendations, coaching, or data insights.
The Most Critical Skill: Human Connection
Steve is focused on early career talent, and one of the biggest challenges he sees today is a surprising one: lack of confidence in face-to-face interactions. After years of remote schooling and digital communication, many new grads are rusty or even anxious about in-person networking.
“Walking into a room with 200 people you don’t know takes practice,” Steve explains. His programs now include intentional opportunities to rebuild those muscles—because soft skills like communication, curiosity, and adaptability still matter, especially in client-facing roles.
Books and Podcasts That Inspire
Steve is a huge podcast guy. He clocked over 400 hours last year alone! His top recommendation? Rethinking with Adam Grant. It delivers weekly insight from thought leaders across industries and fills in the long wait between Grant’s books.
For those looking for a great L&D leadership read, Steve suggests Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams. It’s all about mastering the art of extemporaneous speaking—an essential skill, especially for solution engineers who often have to think on their feet. In fact, Steve liked it so much he incorporated it into the Scout program, using a random prompt tool to help learners sharpen their quick-thinking skills.
Takeaway:
Steve Bullington is a perfect example of how leadership, passion for people, and real-world experience can come together to shape meaningful learning programs. Whether through Scout, RISE, or his advocacy for more inclusive talent pipelines, Steve’s focus is clear: build confidence, develop practical skills, and prepare people not just for a job, but for a career in tech.
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