In a recent enlightening webinar hosted by ELB Learning, Laurel Schulert, the Senior Director of Learning Experience at SAP Concur, led an interactive workshop aimed at empowering learning and development (L&D) leaders. The session focused on the unique challenges faced by new leaders in the L&D space and provided practical strategies to enhance their effectiveness.
New leaders struggle with uncertainty and indecision as they venture into uncharted career territory and are asked to make high-stakes decisions daily. Finding resources and guidance tailored to the unique needs of an L&D leader can be a time-consuming challenge because most leadership development content is not explicitly intended for leaders of L&D teams. Furthermore, L&D leaders may lack an internal network of peers, especially if they lead the only L&D team in their organization.
This webinar aimed to equip aspiring and new learning leaders with the necessary ingredients to build and maintain high-performing L&D teams and empower learning leaders to thrive.
Understanding the Challenges of L&D Leadership
Laurel began by addressing the struggles of uncertainty and indecision faced by new L&D leaders. She highlighted that many leadership development resources do not cater specifically to the needs of L&D professionals. This gap often leaves new leaders feeling isolated, especially if they are the sole L&D representatives in their organizations.
Laurel shared her own experiences from when she first stepped into a leadership role, acknowledging the difficulties of balancing day-to-day responsibilities with professional development. This personal touch resonated with many attendees and their journey.
Interactive Workshop Format
The webinar was structured around several interactive activities designed to promote self-reflection and personal growth. Laurel encouraged participants to engage actively, emphasizing that this was an opportunity to think critically about their leadership aspirations and strategies.
One of the first activities involved envisioning what participants’ dream L&D teams would look like. Laurel drew parallels between sports coaching techniques—like visualizing success—and workplace performance. She posed a powerful question, "What do you want to be known for?" This prompt encouraged attendees to reflect deeply on their professional identity and aspirations.
Participants were invited to journal their thoughts, fostering a sense of introspection that would continue throughout the session. This exercise set the tone for a workshop focused on personal branding and leadership identity.
To explore this exercise and more that followed, you can watch the full recording of the webinar.
Building Your Personal Brand and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Laurel emphasized the importance of personal branding when pursuing leadership roles. She explained that a strong personal brand is built on core values, personality traits, skills, strengths, and individual vision. This brand strongly influences how others perceive you and can play a role in securing leadership opportunities.
Attendees participated in another journaling exercise where they identified elements that contribute to their personal brand. Laurel encouraged participants to say these traits out loud or silently practice them, reinforcing the idea that confidence in expressing one’s strengths is vital for leadership success.
A significant theme throughout the webinar was overcoming imposter syndrome—a common hurdle for many new leaders. Laurel discussed how recognizing one's value is essential for building confidence in pursuing opportunities. She provided strategies for combatting feelings of inadequacy by focusing on individual strengths and achievements.
During the session, participants were encouraged to share their reflections on what makes them strong leaders. This open dialogue fostered a sense of community among attendees as they exchanged insights about transparency, proactivity, and humility—qualities essential for effective leadership.
Practical Strategies for L&D Leaders
Laurel concluded her presentation by summarizing key takeaways:
- Envision Your Ideal Team: Reflect on what your dream L&D team looks like and what you want to be known for.
- Develop Your Personal Brand: Identify your core values and strengths; ensure they align with how others perceive you.
- Combat Imposter Syndrome: Recognize your worth and build confidence through self-awareness and reflection.
- Engage with Peers: Build a network of fellow L&D professionals for support and shared learning experiences.
Laurel's passion for empowering L&D leaders was evident throughout the session. Her insights provided valuable guidance for anyone looking to enhance their leadership capabilities in this dynamic field. Attendees were encouraged to download a fillable PDF handout accompanying the session, which contained prompts for further reflection.
In summary, this engaging workshop not only addressed pressing challenges faced by learning leaders but also equipped them with practical tools to thrive in their roles. As technology continues to evolve within educational landscapes, staying informed about such developments is crucial for anyone involved in learning and development.
For those who missed it or want to revisit these powerful concepts, watching the full recording of this webinar is highly recommended.
