Collaboration vs. Speed: When Going Solo Might Be the Better Choice

In this episode Andy Storch explores the rapidly changing world of HR technology with guest Phil Strazzulla, founder of Select Software Reviews. Phil shares his journey from venture capital to HR tech, the story behind SSR, and how the platform helps HR teams confidently choose the right software at no cost. Together, they discuss key trends like platform consolidation, AI’s growing role, and adaptive learning in L&D, along with practical advice on evaluating tools, building a business case, and ensuring successful implementation—plus live insights from Christopher McCormick.So if you're wrestling with vendor choices, striving for better ROI from your HR platforms, or curious about where HR tech is headed, you won't want to miss this episode!I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Phil Strazzulla: LinkedInConnect with Christopher McCormick: LinkedInConnect with Emma Strong: LinkedIn

In this episode, I am talking with my friend, Al Dea, who is an expert on talent development and the future of work. In this conversation, we are doing a deep dive into the latest trends shaping the future of work. Al Dea, known for his research and consulting at Edge of Work and as a LinkedIn Top Voice, brings fresh insights from his recent report, where he interviewed over 40 talent and learning leaders across Fortune 1000 organizations.Together, we unpack what’s top of mind in talent development right now from navigating constant change, embracing AI, and building adaptable leadership pipelines, to the rising importance of skills-based talent strategies. Hear candid stories about the challenges of implementing new technologies, the evolving role of managers, and why a blend of “deep tech” and “deep human” skills will define the talent profession’s next chapter.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Al Dea: LinkedIn

Today I'm sharing a short solo episode from my other podcast, The Andy Storch Show, all about the trade-offs between collaborating or working alone. I was reflecting on this beacuse how different it has been working on books on my own vs. with a partner. I wonder if you can relate. You can listen to more episodes on The Andy Storch Show now on Apple or Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. You can also find more insights and sign up for our newsletter at: http://www.talentdevelopmenthotseat.com/

Welcome back to The Talent Development Hot Seat! In this episode, host Andy Storch sits down with Dr. David Morelli, co-founder and CEO of Owl Hub, to explore the evolving landscape of coaching in talent development. With decades of experience in organizational psychology and leadership assessment, David Morelli shares his journey from semi-pro volleyball player to executive coach and leadership innovator.Together, they dive into the importance of building a true coaching culture within organizations—one where managers are empowered to coach more effectively, not just rely on outside experts. David Morelli unpacks the groundbreaking Respect Coaching Styles Assessment, a tool that's already making waves at Fortune 500 companies, and explains the seven distinct coaching styles that can transform the way leaders support their teams.Andy Storch and David Morelli discuss why most coaching breaks down in organizations, how to scale coaching beyond top executives, and what it really takes to meet employees where they are. Whether you’re a talent development professional, a people leader, or just passionate about helping others grow, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on personalizing coaching, overcoming common pitfalls, and future-proofing your leadership strategy in the age of AI and skills-based transformation.Get ready for a deep dive into what it means to unlock the full potential of your people—and yourself—through the power of coaching. I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon. Connect with David Morelli: LinkedIn

Subscribe to The Andy Storch Show on Apple or Spotify You can learn more about the Talent Development Think Tank Community here As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Welcome back to the Talent Development Hot Seat podcast! In this episode, I am talking with Siska D'hoore, Head of HR at the National Bank of Belgium. With over 20 years of experience spanning IT, banking, government, and work across three continents, Siska brings a wealth of insight into human resources strategy, talent management, learning and development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.In this conversation, we dive into the challenges and opportunities of leading HR in a highly regulated, multilingual, and hybrid work environment. Siska shares her unique journey from engineering to HR leadership, the bank’s innovative approach to onboarding and leadership development, and how they navigate Belgium’s complex landscape with three national languages. They also explore the realities of return-to-office mandates, strategies for building an inclusive workplace that goes beyond gender, and the future of AI in HR at a central banking institution.As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Siska D'Hoore: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Thanks for listeningThanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

Welcome to the first episode of 2026 on The Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast! Join host Andy Storch for a solo deep dive into the six (plus a bonus!) biggest trends shaping talent development this year and beyond.In this episode, Andy Storch shares actionable insights and strategies informed by countless conversations with industry leaders—and even some innovative advising from his custom ChatGPT! Discover what organizations, L&D teams, and individual professionals MUST focus on to thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace.What you'll learn:Why "AI readiness" is about more than just tools—and how to create a growth mindset for tech adoption.The shift from roles to skills: How to actually execute as a skills-based organization (not just talk about it).Career ownership as the new retention strategy—in a world where promotions are slower and organizations are flatter.Coaching at scale: Managers as key drivers of employee engagement, performance, and growth.How L&D professionals can move from content creators to strategic business advisors.The essential role of personal brand—why visibility and reputation inside organizations are now business assets.BONUS: Why human skills will be the ultimate differentiator in a tech-dominated future.This episode is packed with real-world examples, practical frameworks, and resources for anyone responsible for talent development—or those simply interested in owning their career amid change.Grab the quick one-sheet summary of these 2026 trends at:https://talentdevelopmenthotseat.com/Hit ‘Subscribe’ for more expert discussions, practical strategies, and future-focused talent development insights!Talent Development, L&D, Learning and Development, Andy Storch, Future of Work, AI Readiness, Career Ownership, Coaching at Scale, Skills-Based Organization, Personal Brand, Employee Engagement, HR Trends, Workplace Innovation, Human Skills, Strategic Advisor, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Career Growth, Professional Development, Organizational Culture, Retention Strategies, Corporate Learning, Amazon, Allstate, BetterUp, ATD PressConnect with Andy:Website: https://andystorch.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/My books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andy-Storch/author/B08NF9QPFY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1767699536&sr=8-2&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

In this special “Best Of” rebroadcast, I'm sharing a powerful conversation with legendary leadership thinker Liz Wiseman, bestselling author of Multipliers and Impact Players. Originally recorded around the launch of Impact Players in 2021–2022, this episode explores what truly sets high-impact individual contributors apart and how anyone can elevate their influence and value inside an organization.In this conversation, we explore the concept of moving from being a solid contributor to becoming an "impact player"—someone who doesn’t just do their job, but actively looks for the work that matters most to the business. Liz Wiseman shares insights from her research, explains the differences between good contributors and true impact players, and offers practical advice for those seeking to amplify their influence and value at work.Whether you're in a leadership role or an individual contributor hoping to level up, this episode is packed with actionable tips on building upward empathy, navigating ambiguity, and aligning your work with what’s truly valued in your organization. Plus, Liz Wiseman reveals what managers can do to create the culture and permission for impact players to thrive. It's a must-listen for anyone passionate about talent development, personal growth, and building high-performing teams.So grab your notebook and get ready for an inspiring, practical discussion that can help you and your organization unlock more impact than ever before!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Order my new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonAnd my first book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, is on Amazon as well.Here is the link to the YouTube channel of Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.Connect with Andy Storch here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Liz Wiseman: LinkedIn | Website

I’m excited to share a special highlight from The Talent Development Hot Seat podcast perfect for anyone passionate about building thriving workplaces, authentic leadership, and truly inclusive cultures.Since this is a holiday week and many of us (myself included) are taking some well-earned downtime, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to revisit the archives and reshare a few of our most popular and impactful episodes. Today’s feature is one I found especially meaningful and insightful: my conversation with my friend Claude Silver, originally released as Episode 365 in January 2023.Claude is on a mission to spread what she calls “emotional optimism,” which is simply an awareness that we have the capacity to influence how we think and how we feel.In this episode, you’ll hear:The mission of Vayner Media and what the term Honey Empire means to Claude Silver.How you can move away from leading with fear and instead leading with honey in your organization.Why safety in an organization is vital for employees to bring their authentic selves to work.What emotional optimism is, why it’s important in the workplace and what toxic positivity is.The definition of radical inclusion and how it can help others find their voices to participate in the conversation.A preview of Claude’s talk about building a culture of belonging and bravery at the upcoming Talent Development Think Tank Conference.And also LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Order my new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonAnd my first book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, is on Amazon as well. Here is the link to the YouTube channel of Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.Connect with Andy Storch here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Claude Silver: LinkedIn | Website

Welcome back to The Talent Development Hot Seat! In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Villa, a dynamic people development leader and the global head of learning at Edenred, a leading French financial services firm. Elizabeth brings a truly international perspective growing up in Mexico, studying in the United States, and building her career in Paris with a background that’s both inspiring and practical for today’s global professionals.Elizabeth is recognized for her transformative approach to corporate learning, especially her pioneering work on integrating emotional intelligence and humanity into traditional learning and development programs. Throughout the episode, she shares how she designs learning experiences that go far beyond the classroom focusing on building circles of trust, cultivating psychological safety, and inspiring genuine human connection among participants.You’ll hear about her journey learning three languages, navigating different cultures, and crafting award-winning leadership programs that drive cultural change. Elizabeth also dives deep into the evolving intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, and the future of HR and learning, exploring what it means to be human in an increasingly digital world.Whether you’re an L&D leader, HR professional, or curious about the future of work, this conversation is packed with insights about creating meaningful development experiences, fostering career growth, and ensuring people stay at the heart of every organization even as robots and AI become more prevalent. Don’t miss Elizabeth’s practical tips, global perspective, and passion for the human side of talent development!Order my new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonAnd my first book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, is on Amazon as well. And also LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn