The Assembly

Assemble You
  • 5.0 (9)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

The Assembly: Where L&D Minds Assemble The future of workplace learning doesn’t live in theory — it lives in lived experience, fresh research, and honest conversations. That’s what The Assembly delivers. Hosted by Adam Lacey, Co-Founder of Assemble You and digital learning veteran, and Brigid McCormack, a newcomer to the world of L&D, this is your go-to space for rich, real talk on what’s driving L&D forward. In each episode, you’ll find: Richer insights that go beyond surface-level tips to unpack what really works in learning today Expert perspectives from leaders shaping the L&D landscape Access to new research on tech, methods, and innovations defining tomorrow’s learning culture Practical strategies you can use right now to build essential skills like leadership, communication, and adaptability Whether you’re designing programs, shaping strategy, or driving culture change — if learning is your thing, this is your podcast. Formally known as L&D Challenges.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Most manager development programmes are well-designed. They just weren't built for how humans actually behave. With Farley Thomas

    Adam sits down with Farley Thomas, CEO of Manageable, the global manager development platform he co-founded in 2020, to explore why manager development so often falls short and what it takes to build something that sticks. After a decade in investment banking at HSBC, Farley trained as a coach and spent years advising CEOs before spotting that managers were one of the most underserved populations in any organisation. Manageable was built to fix that. Farley breaks down eight pieces of the manager development puzzle, from building genuine learning habits to using AI as a safe practice environment for difficult conversations. He also tackles the cohort versus individual learning debate and explains why most organisations are getting both wrong. If you are designing, running, or rethinking a manager programme, this episode will give you a sharper framework to work from. What you'll learn: The eight pieces of the manager development puzzle and why most programmes only tackle two or threeWhy cutting practice from your programme is the most expensive corner you can cutHow to make cohort-based learning genuinely valuable rather than logistically painfulWhat scaffolding actually means and how it builds lasting learning habitsWhere AI fits into manager development and where it falls shortThree practical tips for any new or aspiring manager just starting out🔗 Connect with Farley LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/farleythomas/ 📮 The Assembly Debrief A short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. 👋 Come and connect with us We’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world. Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/ Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/ More from The Assembly Learning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.com Privacy & Data This podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/ Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    30 min

  2. 12 MAY

    Your middle managers are not underperforming. They are under-resourced. With Toluwa Hughes

    Brigid sits down with Toluwa Hughes, behavioural scientist, two-times TEDx speaker, and founder of Zoah Consultancy, to explore why the manager layer is so often the most overlooked group in any organisation and what L&D can do about it right now. Toluwa has coached over 4,000 leaders across the UN in East Africa, tech scale-ups, and global enterprises including HSBC, Dell, and Alzheimer's Society.  Her work sits at the intersection of behavioural science and real-world leadership pressure - helping managers stay steady through growth, change, and AI adoption. In this episode, she breaks down the hidden cost of ignoring middle managers from the two things their role actually demands (translation and emotional regulation) to why high performers are the ones most quietly burning out. She also challenges L&D teams to stop asking managers what training they need, and start asking better questions entirely. If you work with or support managers, this episode will sharpen how you think about development, wellbeing, and where L&D can have the most impact. What you'll learn: Why middle managers carry more than any job description acknowledges and why they rarely say soThe two types of managerial silence, and how to tell them apartWhy 82% of managers step into leadership with no formal training and what that actually costsHow mindset, not skills, determines behaviour under pressureThe three things L&D already has that are more valuable than budget permission, proximity, and trustWhy leadership development and wellbeing must be the same conversationThe questions that surface what managers are really carrying 🔗 Connect with Toluwa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toluwa-oyeleye/ Zoah Consultancy: https://www.zoahconsultancy.co.uk 📬 The Assembly Debrief A short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter 👋 Come and connect with us We're always keen to hear what's resonating or what you're seeing in your world. Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/ Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/ More from The Assembly & Assemble You Learning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.com This podcast is hosted by Transistor. For privacy information visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy

    49 min

  3. 5 MAY

    How Do You Build Critical Thinking, Curiosity, and Better Decision-Making in an AI-Driven World? With Liggy Webb

    In this episode, Adam sits down with Liggy Webb to explore how L&D leaders can equip their people with the human skills that matter most - cutting through noise, thinking clearly, and performing in a complex environment. Liggy, a behavioural skills specialist and author, shares practical ways to develop an “inquiring mind” - from building self-awareness and asking better questions, to strengthening curiosity and critical thinking. Together, they unpack how learning can move beyond information and focus on how people think, decide, and act - offering simple, actionable ways to navigate today’s fast-changing world. If you’re looking to future-proof your workforce or build stronger thinking skills, this episode will give you practical ways to move forward. Episode breakdown: (00:00) Introduction to Inquiring Minds (02:00) Why critical thinking matters more than ever (04:00) The nine skills of an inquiring mind (05:00) Self-awareness and feedback (09:00) Cultivating curiosity (12:00) Lifelong learning in a changing world (16:00) The power of human conversations (21:00) Asking better questions (26:00) Critical thinking vs emotional reactions (31:00) Distilling complexity (34:00) Problem solving and decision making 🔗 Connect with Liggy LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liggyw/ 📮 The Assembly Debrief A short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. 👋 Come and connect with us We’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world. Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/ Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/ More from The Assembly Learning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.com Privacy & Data This podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/

    45 min

  4. 28 APR

    How do you prove the value of L&D in a business that sees it as a cost, not a driver of performance? With Jade Rogers

    In this episode, Brigid sits down with Jade Rogers to unpack how learning and development leaders can build influence, demonstrate impact, and secure a more strategic role within their organisations. Jade, an L&D professional in a tech consultancy, describes her role as “the bridge between potential and performance” - but like many in the field, she’s had to navigate the challenge of making that value visible. Together, they explore practical ways to reposition L&D - from using storytelling to demonstrate ROI, to speaking the language of senior leaders and aligning more closely with business goals. They also go deeper into the realities of organisational change. Jade shares her experience navigating multiple rounds of redundancies—what it does to culture, trust, and morale - and how L&D professionals can support others while managing their own resilience. If you’re trying to increase your influence, communicate your value more effectively, or navigate uncertainty in your organisation, this episode will give you practical ways to move forward. Episode breakdown: (00:00) From youth work to L&D (02:30) Why L&D is misunderstood (04:30) Storytelling as ROI (06:30) The link between L&D and culture (08:00) Why L&D is at risk during redundancies (10:00) Speaking the language of leadership (12:00) Progress over perfection (14:00) The emotional impact of change (17:00) Rebuilding trust and culture (20:00) Meeting people where they are (22:00) Turning insight into action (25:00) Building resilience at work (28:00) Communicating your value 🔗 Connect with Jade LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaderogers/ 📮 The Assembly Debrief A short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode—designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/newsletter 👋 Come and connect with us We’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world. Adam Lacey – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/ Richard Ward – https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/ More from The Assembly Learning that feels more like great content than training—explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.com/ Privacy & Data This podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/

    31 min

  5. 21 APR

    Award-Winning L&D at Qatar Airways: Gary Clarke's Blueprint for Success

    Adam sits down with Gary Clarke, former Group Head of Learning & Development at Qatar Airways, for a candid conversation spanning 20+ years of global L&D leadership - from starting in the British Army at 16 to leading functions at BlackRock, Capita, and Qatar Airways. Gary delivers a masterclass on managing a complex, geographically dispersed L&D function. He shares the real work behind building a high-performing, award-winning team - uniting a fragmented function post-COVID, running internal learning conferences with 270 attendees, and creating a culture where cleaners and café staff get recognised alongside senior leaders. He also gives sharp, practical advice on what it means to truly understand your business - and why that skill separates good L&D professionals from great ones. He takes us through: Managing Global Complexity: Leading an 80-person L&D team responsible for the capability strategy of 65,000 employees. Overseeing learning technology, digital content, leadership pipelines, and highly regulated operational training across 170 international stations.Rebuilding Team Culture: The impact that fostering a culture of trust and psychological safety can have, and how in enabled people to innovate.Fostering Connection: To build community, Gary introduced cross-departmental "Lunch and Learns" , "potluck" meals and internal learning conferences. Inclusive Recognition: Gary highlights the importance of recognising the entire workforce. He implemented peer-nominated awards, including a "Pay It Forward" trophy for acts of kindness outside the workplace.Connect with Gary LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/garyclarke21/ The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/ More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.com Privacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/

    33 min

  6. 14 APR

    How do you move L&D from delivering training to driving real performance in an AI-powered world? with Yousaf Khan

    In this episode, Brigid sits down with Yousaf Khan, an AI strategy and business transformation consultant, to explore how learning and development leaders can shift from knowledge delivery to measurable impact, and stay relevant as work evolves. Starting his career in L&D, Yousaf quickly recognised the gap between learning and real performance. Now working across strategy, performance, and AI, he helps organisations rethink how work actually gets done and where L&D can add the most value. Together, they unpack what it takes to reposition L&D as a driver of performance, from diagnosing the real problem to focusing on workflows over skills and using AI to enhance how work happens day-to-day. They also explore how AI is reshaping the workplace, and how L&D leaders can use it as a performance multiplier - boosting speed, capacity, and efficiency - without jumping to solutions before fully understanding the challenge. If you’re looking to move beyond traditional training, show real business impact, or better understand how AI is changing the role of L&D, this episode offers practical, thoughtful ways to rethink your approach. What You’ll Learn•     Why “skills” alone aren’t enough and why behaviour in context is the real measure of performance•     How to reposition L&D as a driver of performance by starting with workflows, not training briefs•     What the Fix, Enhance, Reimagine framework looks like in practice across different business functions•     How AI can augment work - speeding up research, proposals, follow-ups, and content - without replacing human judgment•     Why most organisations aren’t ready to use AI effectively yet, and what “fixing the foundations” actually means•     Practical questions L&D leaders can ask themselves this week to start identifying where AI could have real impact•     How the role of L&D shifts as AI takes on more of the diagnostic and data-gathering work  🔗 Connect with Yousaf LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousaf-khan-b36a0591/?originalSubdomain=aePerformance Intelligence AI - www.performanceintelligence.co 📮 The Assembly Debrief A short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.https://www.assembleyou.com/newsletter 👋 Come and connect with us We’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/ More from The Assembly Learning that feels more like great content than training—explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work.https://www.assembleyou.com/ Privacy & Data  his podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/

    48 min

  7. 7 APR

    The Human Side of Change Management: Navigating Uncertainty at Work with Ket Patel

    In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Ket Patel, the founder of Change Agitators and Assemble You Expert. Ket is a master change practitioner with over 20 years of experience, specialising in helping organisations navigate the uncertainty of scaling and modernising. Transitioning away from traditional, purely process-driven change management, Ket focuses deeply on the human and relational dynamics that dictate how groups respond to new organisational directions.  He's worked with Assemble You on two series that support organisations, leaders, and individuals in managing change more effectively. In this episode, Ket unpacks the emotional reality of workplace transformations and shares practical frameworks to help leaders and teams navigate ambiguity, including: Combating "Ambient Fatigue": Ket explains that the most common reaction to a new corporate initiative is an eye roll, stemming from the "ambient fatigue" of being asked to adopt the next big thing before the previous change has even settled.Transferring Personal Resilience: While corporate change can feel frustrating because it is uninvited, Ket reminds listeners that every individual already possesses coping skills developed through personal life changes, like moving house or facing adversity. The Art of Honest Feedback: Creating a safe space does not mean a manager must action every piece of feedback they hear. It is about listening fairly, validating the employee's voice, and being honest that leadership must ultimately choose which feedback to implement.The Four Mindsets of Change: Ket shares his personal mental toolkit for enduring complex projects: Visionary Pragmatism, Sceptical Optimism, Belligerent Humility, and Persistent Humour.Cultivating Group Resilience: Resilience is highly effective as a collective trait, allowing the group to pick up an individual when they are struggling. Ket recommends having teams openly share their individual experiences with change to build empathy and shared strength.Connect with KetLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ketpatel-changeagitator/ The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter Come and Connect with UsWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/ More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.com Privacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/

    27 min

  8. 31 MAR

    Are your inclusion efforts driving real impact or just ticking boxes with Chris Shearer-Wright

    Are your inclusion efforts driving real impact or just ticking boxes? In this episode, Brigid sits down with Chris Shearer-Wright, Senior EDI and Community Partnerships Manager at Oliver Bonas, to explore how L&D and EDI can work together to create more inclusive, effective workplaces. Starting his career on the shop floor in 2012, Chris has grown with Oliver Bonas through every stage of the business - from store manager to people team to leading EDI strategy. That ground-level experience gives him a distinctive lens on how inclusion shows up (or doesn’t) across both customer experience and internal culture. He describes inclusion as a “golden thread” that should run through everything — from hiring and store design to supplier relationships and product decisions. Together, Brigid and Chris unpack how to design inclusive learning that drives real impact, from acting as a “critical friend” to L&D, to building bespoke workshops rooted in genuine business challenges. They also explore the nuances of balancing a strong brand identity with the need for true inclusivity, and how EDI can be woven into an organisation’s culture from the very first conversation rather than bolted on at the end. In this episode, Chris shares practical insights on how EDI and L&D can work together, including: 1. EDI as a Critical Friend to L&D: At Oliver Bonas EDI works alongside L&D to challenge whether learning is truly accessible, inclusive, and designed for everyone - turning inclusion from intention into practice. 2. Bespoke Over Generic: Tailored workshops rooted in real business conversations outperform off-the-shelf training. Chris highlights sessions on Culture Add vs. Fit, Equitable Decision Making, and Leading Multi-Generational Teams.3. Measuring Real Impact: The true success of EDI learning shows up in behaviour change - like managers applying lessons weeks later in difficult conversations - alongside formal metrics. 4. Diversity Drives Performance: Diverse perspectives improve creativity, problem-solving, and productivity. For a design-led business like Oliver Bonas inclusion is a commercial advantage, not just a value. 5. Start with Inclusion Early: Inclusion works best when embedded from the beginning of a process, not added at the final review stage - making outcomes stronger, faster, and more effective. 🔗 Connect with Chris LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-shearer-wright-087698118/ 📮 The Assembly Debrief A short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/newsletter 👋 Come and connect with us We’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world. Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/ Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/ More from The Assembly Learning that feels more like great content than training—explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.com/ Privacy & Data This podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Assembly: Where L&D Minds Assemble The future of workplace learning doesn’t live in theory — it lives in lived experience, fresh research, and honest conversations. That’s what The Assembly delivers. Hosted by Adam Lacey, Co-Founder of Assemble You and digital learning veteran, and Brigid McCormack, a newcomer to the world of L&D, this is your go-to space for rich, real talk on what’s driving L&D forward. In each episode, you’ll find: Richer insights that go beyond surface-level tips to unpack what really works in learning today Expert perspectives from leaders shaping the L&D landscape Access to new research on tech, methods, and innovations defining tomorrow’s learning culture Practical strategies you can use right now to build essential skills like leadership, communication, and adaptability Whether you’re designing programs, shaping strategy, or driving culture change — if learning is your thing, this is your podcast. Formally known as L&D Challenges.

Information

  • Creator
    Assemble You
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Assemble You Limited
  • Show Website
    The Assembly

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