Performance Matters Podcast

If AI is the easy part, why is transformation still so hard? That’s the question driving the grand finale of The Learning Velocity Series, the third and final episode in this three-part conversation on why learning velocity—the ability to build capabilities at the speed of business change—has become the defining competitive advantage. Performance Matters Podcast host Michael Thiel is joined...

Why do leaders sit through great training and still freeze when the real moment shows up? In this episode of the Performance Matters Podcast, host Michael Thiel sits down with Björn Billhardt, CEO of Abilitie, and Lisa Fagan, VP of Sales for Leadership Development and Inclusion at GP Strategies, to unpack why leadership capability isn’t built by collecting frameworks. It’s built throug...

If your business needs a new capability fast, do you have the systems to build it fast? In Episode 2 of “The Learning Velocity Series,” Performance Matters Podcast host Michael Thiel digs into the “how” behind learning velocity with two of GP Strategies’ sharpest minds: Chief Learning and Innovation Officer, Matt Donovan, and Senior Director of Consulting, Ella Richar...

In a world moving at the pace of AI, can your organization build the capabilities it needs fast enough to matter? That’s the question at the heart of this first episode of The Learning Velocity Series, a three-part series on why learning velocity—the ability to build capabilities at the speed of business change—has become the defining competitive advantage. Performance Matters Podcast host M...

2025 has been a disruptive year for learning and talent, and 2026 promises even more change. In this episode of the Performance Matters podcast, host Michael Thiel sits down with Matt Donovan, GP Strategies Chief Learning and Innovation Officer, to unpack five learning trends that matter most for enterprise L&D and HR leaders. Listen and learn how organizations build capability, integrate AI,...

#custom-quote-block_f49976c5ec757445fcbd3412936cfd44 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } #custom-quote-block_237fb8edad9ac120ebbfbcc6c4fa7d03 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } If AI can build a marketing campaign from scratch, what’s stopping it from designing your next training program? Enterprise learning leaders are under pressure to keep pace with AI while still pro...

Blended Learning 3.0: Personalized, Adaptive, Impactful What if your next learning journey wasn’t just digital or face-to-face, but smart, adaptive, and powered by AI? In this episode of Performance Matters , host Michael Thiel sits down with Patrick Billingsley, Principal Learning Consultant at GP Strategies, to explore how AI is transforming blended learning. From personalized experiences and ro...

Redefining Leadership in the Age of AI: Why Being Deliberately Human Matters In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the workplace, leadership itself is undergoing a profound transformation. This episode of the Performance Matters Podcast dives into how leaders can thrive—not by competing with machines, but by embracing what makes them deliberately human . The Leadership Ident...

In this special episode, host Michael Thiel explores a story of navigating change at one of the world’s most iconic brands, tracing the path from resistance to readiness. We discover how organizations and individuals move through the discomfort of change to achieve transformation. Joining us are Dr. Cheryl Jackson , Director of the Organizational Design and Change Management Practice at GP S...

Matt Donovan joins the show to introduce a transformative approach to instructional design which breaks learning into its smallest meaningful components, like atoms and molecules, rather than traditional course structures. Applying Atomic Design to learning and development isn’t necessarily a new idea, but AI orchestration is now able to make it happen at scale. Learning is no longer built a...

Nic Girvan joins the show to challenge the traditional approach to training budgets and advocates for investing in individual contributors. Nic explores how empowering frontline employees with development opportunities can drive performance, engagement, and long-term growth. Learn about the concept of the corporate lattice, a modern alternative to the outdated corporate ladder, how it supports div...

Expert guests Leah Clark and Dr. Cheryl Jackson join the show to discuss how to build a stronger, more adaptable workforce. Join them as they dive into the essential role of resilience and well-being in today’s ever-evolving workplace. With decades of experience in leadership consulting and organizational psychology, Leah and Cheryl share practical strategies and real-world insights on how individ...

What happens when AI becomes more than just a tool—and starts acting like a teammate? In this kickoff episode of our new  Future Focus  series, host Michael Thiel is joined by GP Strategies’ innovation leaders Cara Halter and Theodora Michaelidou to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the learning and development (L&D) landscape. From boosting productivity to enabling scalable...

What happens when personal values collide with professional responsibilities? Jeremy Lewis, a senior inclusion trainer at GP Strategies, joins the show to explore how fundamental values can lead to conflicts in the workplace. He highlights the increasing prevalence of disputes rooted in core beliefs, driven by factors such as polarized politics, social media, and heightened awareness of societal i...

Are you ready to transform learning experiences and provide genuine performance support? In this episode of the Performance Matters podcast, host Michael Thiel welcomes learning strategists Andrew Joly and Ella Richardson to discuss a pivotal moment in technological advancements and AI: delivering true learning in the flow of work. With AI-driven tools like super coaches and chatbots, along with e...

Are you ready to perform at your highest potential? In this episode of the  Performance Matters podcast , host Michael Thiel dives into the world of point-of-need learning with two esteemed guests, Nic Girvan and Jeff Fissel. Discover how accessing knowledge at the moment you need it can transform your professional life. This episode explores strategies and technologies that enhance learning effic...

Nic Girvan joins the show to delve into the essential topic of nurturing aspiring leaders. Listen as she discusses how to identify potential leaders, the importance of investing in their development, and the challenges they may face. Nic shares valuable insights on the qualities that set aspiring leaders apart and offers practical advice for building a strong leadership pipeline. This episode is p...

Leah Clark joins the show to delve into a study by GP Strategies which surveyed leaders and individual contributors to assess their readiness for AI integration. The findings reveal high usage and enthusiasm for AI at work, but also highlight concerns about job elimination and ethical implications. The episode emphasizes the importance of leaders fostering open communication, psychological safety,...

#custom-quote-block_9fd1586dafa74ff2dece21cf1068b421 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } The world is becoming much more disruptive. In the past five years, we’ve had two global disruptions and we’re going to continue to see more changes. Matt Donovan #custom-quote-block_11f20f534f10310e2a6ea8de7e220d01 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } The mindset of the younger...

#custom-quote-block_04d121db7418ce2fa131f5e335b3e505 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } The workforce isn’t shrinking, it’s transforming. #custom-quote-block_bb171e9d2ee9f9f918514d189cd215dd { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } Traditional hierarchies are giving way to more agile and network structures because the skills of tomorrow often don’t fit neatly into...

Join DEI expert Nic Girvan as she explores the current political climate surrounding DEI programs, the critical role of inclusive leadership, and practical strategies for leaders to foster an inclusive culture. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the future of leadership and the tangible benefits of prioritizing DEI in their organization. The post Episode #149: Inclusion...

Co-Founder, President, and Chief Coaching Officer Lori Mazan from Sounding Board joins the show to discuss the transformative power of leadership coaching. Lori shares her unique journey from social work to becoming one of the early certified coaches, highlighting the evolution of coaching from a remedial tool for “derailed executives” to a developmental strategy for leaders at all lev...

#custom-quote-block_3d4b140e89067556f658f5e979bc8c74 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } The specialness of a well-trained AI coach is that it can go to scale… bringing the special aspect of coaching to those who maybe didn’t always have access to it. Kevin Wilde #custom-quote-block_6faf5892351debc2698417f81cf68017 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } It’s not AI or a huma...

#custom-quote-block_0733cf0fc844e48778ff23649c911739 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } We’re drowning in information, but we’re thirsty for insight. Disconnected systems and lack of confidence in data are two sides of the same coin. #custom-quote-block_78c545b7d8a3218e1fc20065bb5cfa96 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } Mapping your data is like writing the first chapter of y...

#custom-quote-block_850cf9e6e0b08746fddad59060d4b680 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } EI is important in AI in part because AI can’t feel. AI can do some amazing things, and it has deficits. And one of those deficits is its inability to feel. Leah Clark #custom-quote-block_eb9a58779d1bb2a0832fddab6f7edd87 { /* Add styles that use ACF values here */ } Bots can maybe express cognitive e...