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Figure out if ELE is for you. Straight answers on what ELE is, who it’s built for, and how contributing members actually work together. Still have a question? Contact us.

Alter Domus

HumanSide

This AI practical lab provided a crucial blueprint for Talent and L&amp;D leaders looking to move past simple AI experimentation and toward disciplined, enterprise-grade workflows. The core theme was this: Generative AI is not a strategy replacement, but a force multiplier that radically redefines team capacity. The lab demonstrated a focused, three-step AI workflow model presented by<a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/julia-meyer"> Julia Meyer</a> and <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/rebecca-benson">Becca Benson</a> at our October 2025 conference—Clarify, Create, Customize—which ensures human expertise remains in the critical stages of problem definition and cultural refinement. The implication is profound: AI promises to unlock unprecedented productivity, allowing HR to finally operate at the speed of the business, provided leaders enforce a "human-in-the-loop" quality standard.

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-44448" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Three-Step-Model-for-AI-Workflows-ELE.jpg" alt="Three-Steap Model for AI Workflows (ELE)" width="690" height="356" />

👂ELE’s POV: Ed gets into the core tension: Is the accelerated adoption of GenAI in L&amp;D a necessary breakthrough for speed—or a reckless path that risks bypassing trust?

<audio controls="controls" data-mce-fragment="1"></audio>
<h3 data-path-to-node="2">Key Takeaways for Senior HR Leaders</h3>
<ul data-path-to-node="3">
 	<li>
The 10x Capacity Shift is Real: The most striking finding was the demonstrable power of an AI-augmented team. As <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/edward-desrosiers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ed DesRosiers</a> revealed during the lab’s case study:

<blockquote data-path-to-node="3,0,1">
"With AI, our team of two created 10 times the deliverables of an 8-person team working the traditional way." This forces a re-evaluation of current capacity plans and resource allocation.
</blockquote>
</li>
 	<li>
AI Demands Higher-Level Thinking: AI elevates your team from producers to strategic partners. As <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/marty-murrillo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marty Murrillo</a> stated:

<blockquote data-path-to-node="3,1,1">
"AI amplifies you, it doesn't replace you. You are the thought leader; AI is simply your thought partner." The focus shifts entirely to defining strategy and ensuring quality.
</blockquote>
</li>
 	<li>
Strategy Must Precede Speed: The "Clarify" step of the 3C model is non-negotiable. You must define the audience, challenge, and success metrics before generating content to avoid creating high-volume noise.
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-path-to-node="4">Practical Actions to Take Immediately</h3>
<ul data-path-to-node="5">
 	<li>
Mandate the "Customize" Quality Gate: Stop content from going to the client or employee without a human refining the tone, ensuring cultural fit, and applying nuance.
</li>
 	<li>
Challenge "Solutioneering": Before a team asks an AI tool to "Create" a solution, demand proof that they completed the strategic diagnosis. If they can’t articulate the business need, halt production.

<blockquote data-path-to-node="5,1,1">
"AI gives us amazing options, but I need to see the big picture. How is this actually moving the needle for the business?" -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/keri-kersten" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keri Kersten</a>
</blockquote>
</li>
 	<li>
Invest in an AI Stack, Not Just a Single Tool: Audit your tool ecosystem (e.g., NotebookLM for research, Copilot for drafting, Canva for design) to ensure it supports the entire Clarify-Create-Customize workflow seamlessly.
</li>
</ul>
The era of the AI-powered workflow demands a new kind of leadership—one that is disciplined, strategic, and focused on impact. By implementing the "Clarify, Create, Customize" structure, you can harness the staggering productivity gains of generative AI while ensuring your Talent and L&amp;D functions remain grounded in human-centered design and strategic business alignment. This isn't about working harder; it’s about leading smarter.
The urgency of this evolution is echoed by other experts; as <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/michael-vaughan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Vaughan</a> recently argued on LinkedIn, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/michaelsvaughan_ai-wont-help-ld-unless-we-let-go-of-what-share-7404581161945214976-b3-P?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_android&amp;rcm=ACoAAAAyK2cBgiwsMpK9fDqZM0mahKsHVCHm_Y8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AI Won't Help L&amp;D Unless We Let Go of What Got Us Here.</a>
Let's continue this conversation on the ELE <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Idea Exchange</a> and share the non-negotiable quality controls you're putting in place for AI-generated content!

✨ AI Practical Lab: AI-Powered Workflows

future of work

leadership

Digital &amp; AI

digital transformation

upskilling

performance improvement

edward.desrosiers

talent development

anton.maletich

colin.hahn

keri.kersten

Adding Value

marty.murrillo

wendi.barlow

employee experience

Performance Improvement

guillermo.gutierrez

organizational development

learning trends

ChatGPT

AI tools

HR future

AI in HR

GenAI

Workforce Strategy

generative AI

talent-talk

agile HR

Human Resources

ai practical lab

HR Tech

susan.c.guest

owen.burns

nicole.defalco

4Q2025

CHRO

L&amp;D strategy

roberto.seif

AI in L&amp;D

mike.hoyt

dustin.brewer

AI workflows

capacity building

human in the loop

In this hands-on AI Practical Lab, leaders will use ELE’s Action Planning Worksheet to work through a real business challenge and move from uncertainty to decision support. Together, we’ll identify what is shifting, clarify the move from today’s reality to a better future state, and surface the insights, choices, and risks that matter most.

Using peer input and AI-enabled prompts, participants will develop sharper thinking, practical next steps, and stronger implementation plans they can take back to their work. This is not theory. It is a working experience designed to help leaders turn ambiguity into clearer decisions and visible forward motion.

[caption id="attachment_44940" align="aligncenter" width="835"]<img class=" wp-image-44940" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Gemini_Generated_Image_CRIT-model.jpg" alt="Infographic of the CRIT model for AI leading, breaking down Context, Role, Interview, and Task with icons and descriptions for each step." width="835" height="455" /> The CRIT Model for AI-driven leadership, from Geoff Woods.[/caption]

What we’ll do (live working experience):
You’ll use ELE’s Action Planning Worksheet to move from scattered experimentation to a focused, repeatable practice that strengthens your professional relevance.
In this live working experience, we will:

<ul data-start="318" data-end="1142">
 	<li data-start="527" data-end="602">Define one real decision, role shift, or workflow being changed by AI</li>
 	<li data-start="603" data-end="681">Clarify what must change from today’s reality to a stronger future state</li>
 	<li data-start="682" data-end="758">Apply the CRIT Model to sharpen thinking and use AI more strategically</li>
 	<li data-start="759" data-end="854">Identify where your role is being disrupted—and where your judgment becomes more valuable</li>
 	<li data-start="855" data-end="924">Spot the identity shift required to lead better AI-enabled work</li>
 	<li data-start="925" data-end="994">Build a 30-day action plan to test, apply, and scale what works</li>
</ul>

<hr data-start="1292" data-end="1295" />
Who you’ll work with:

<ul data-start="1227" data-end="1290">
 	<li data-start="1227" data-end="1246">Internal Client</li>
 	<li data-start="1247" data-end="1267">AI Learning Guru</li>
 	<li data-start="1268" data-end="1290">Real-world Skeptic</li>
</ul>

<hr data-start="1292" data-end="1295" />
What you’ll walk away with:

<ul data-start="1330" data-end="1488">
 	<li data-start="60" data-end="115">A 30-day action plan to apply in your real work</li>
 	<li data-start="116" data-end="200">One AI-enabled decision, role shift, or workflow to move forward immediately</li>
 	<li data-start="201" data-end="268" data-is-last-node="">Clearer language for your value in an AI-shaped world of work</li>
</ul>
Below is the Action Planning Worksheet we’ll use live:

<h2><img class="aligncenter wp-image-45462" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/APW-MAY-08-Design-Charrette-Careers.jpg" alt="Action Planning Worksheet for Career Opportunities" width="822" height="634" /></h2>
If AI isn’t changing how decisions get made, it’s not adoption yet.
Join us to move from experimentation → to real work.


<hr data-start="1292" data-end="1295" />

ELE produces this member-only monthly AI Practical Lab on Zoom.
Collaborate online with your peers on our <a title="ELE's Idea Exchange" href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange/">Idea Exchange</a> to keep the conversation going!

&nbsp;

✨ AI Practical Lab: AI Disruption = Career Opportunity

single-event

Team Leaders

Learning Circles

Virtual Cohort

online event

Digital

Coaching

patricia.ouzounian

2Q2026

AI adoption is moving fast—but in most organizations, it’s still fragmented across teams.
Different functions experimenting. Different tools. Very little consistency in how work actually gets done.
This AI Practical Lab builds on a recent ELE design charrette with leaders in financial services and insurance, where a clear pattern emerged:
AI isn’t failing— it’s just not yet embedded in decisions and day-to-day work.


[caption id="attachment_44940" align="aligncenter" width="835"]<img class=" wp-image-44940" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Gemini_Generated_Image_CRIT-model.jpg" alt="Infographic of the CRIT model for AI leading, breaking down Context, Role, Interview, and Task with icons and descriptions for each step." width="835" height="455" /> The CRIT Model for AI-driven leadership, from Geoff Woods. (Credit: Google Gemini Banana)[/caption]

What we’ll do (live working experience):
You’ll work through ELE’s Action Planning Worksheet to move from scattered experimentation → to focused, repeatable practice.

<ul data-start="843" data-end="1194">
 	<li data-start="843" data-end="929">Define one real decision or workflow where AI should change how work gets done</li>
 	<li data-start="930" data-end="992">Clarify what managers must do differently this quarter</li>
 	<li data-start="993" data-end="1062">Apply the CRIT model to structure better prompts and thinking</li>
 	<li data-start="1063" data-end="1133">Identify what’s already working—and what to scale across teams</li>
 	<li data-start="1134" data-end="1194">Build a 30-day action plan you can apply immediately</li>
</ul>

<hr data-start="1196" data-end="1199" />
Who was in the room:

<ul data-start="1227" data-end="1290">
 	<li data-start="1227" data-end="1246">Internal Client</li>
 	<li data-start="1247" data-end="1267">AI Learning Guru</li>
 	<li data-start="1268" data-end="1290">Real-world Skeptic</li>
</ul>

<hr data-start="1292" data-end="1295" />
What you’ll walk away with:

<ul data-start="1330" data-end="1488">
 	<li data-start="1330" data-end="1358">A 30-day action plan</li>
 	<li data-start="1359" data-end="1423">One AI-enabled decision or workflow to apply immediately</li>
 	<li data-start="1424" data-end="1488">A way to turn AI use into shared practice across your team</li>
</ul>
Below is the Action Planning Worksheet we’ll use live:
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-44983" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-03MAR-Zurich-Charrette-Action-Planning-Worksheet-Updated-2026APR09.jpg" alt="Action planning worksheet for ELE AI Practical Lab showing sections for Situation, From-To shift, Insight, Choice, Risk, Opportunities, and Actions (Next 30 Days) focused on applying AI to real decisions and workflows." width="922" height="560" />
If AI isn’t changing how decisions get made, it’s not adoption yet.
Join us to move from experimentation → to real work.


<hr data-start="1292" data-end="1295" />

ELE produces this member-only monthly AI Practical Lab on Zoom.
Collaborate online with your peers on our <a title="ELE's Idea Exchange" href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange/">Idea Exchange</a> to keep the conversation going!

&nbsp;

✨ AI Practical Lab: Framing the Why — Leadership Development for AI at Scale

agile mindset

Leadership

Strategy

career mobility

peer-learning

human and AI collaboration

AI reskilling

confidence capability clarity

AI Disruption

job market transition

ELE Group, LLC

Session Focus: Create short, reusable videos that explain, persuade, and align—using AI to structure the message and simple tools to produce polished results fast.
In this hands-on AI Practical Lab, talent leaders learn how to turn ideas, updates, and explanations into short, high-impact videos that cut through noise and actually get watched.
Participants will use Gemini to clarify the message, structure the narrative, and identify what matters most—then use Canva to quickly produce simple, polished videos they can reuse in real work.
Check out this preview created by <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/edward-desrosiers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ed Desrosiers</a> to see how he used Gemini and Canva to build a high-impact message—exactly what you’ll learn to do in this session.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ln2hB-95MSA?si=amOhhsJRBOjfcV0q" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
The focus is not on becoming a video producer—it’s on clarity, relevance, and speed, using video as a practical communication tool, not a marketing asset.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-44484" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Four-Step-Model-for-AI-Workflows-ELE-4-Cs.jpg" alt="ELE's 4 C Model for AI Workflows" width="1920" height="1080" />


<hr data-start="1290" data-end="1293" />

<blockquote>“When clarity matters, showing beats explaining.” — <a href="https://www.ele.llc/insights?tags=4022">ELE insight from peer exchange</a></blockquote>
Each month, we co-experiment as peers—not to build perfect solutions, but to learn by doing and uncover practical ways to integrate AI into real work.

Bring your curiosity, your specific challenges, and your ideas. Leave with actionable insights and shared experiments you can immediately apply with your teams. 

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-44486" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AI-Practical-Lab-Collaborate-across-roles.jpg" alt="AI Practical Lab - Collaborate across roles" width="1759" height="1048" />

In the lab, peers work through challenges using three complementary lenses—internal client, AI learning guide, and real-world skeptic—to strengthen judgment before committing to action.

What You'll Work On:
<ul>
 	<li data-start="1324" data-end="1393">Structuring a clear message for video (what to say—and what to cut)</li>
 	<li data-start="1396" data-end="1465">Choosing the right format for explanation, alignment, or persuasion</li>
 	<li data-start="1468" data-end="1545">Using AI to accelerate scripting and flow—then refining with human judgment</li>
 	<li data-start="1548" data-end="1611">Producing short videos that are clear, credible, and reusable</li>
</ul>

<hr data-start="1613" data-end="1616" />

Why It Matters:
Leaders are drowning in decks, emails, and documentation. Video cuts through—when it’s done well.
This lab helps you move beyond static slides to more human, visible communication—without adding production burden or complexity.

<blockquote>
“With AI, our team of two created 10 times the deliverables of an eight-person team working the traditional way.” — <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/edward-desrosiers">Edward DesRosiers</a>
</blockquote>
Don't miss this opportunity to:

<ul data-sourcepos="9:1-13:0">
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Work through a real AI-enabled talent challenge with peers</li>
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Contribute your perspective to a shared, evolving workflow</li>
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Collaborate across roles to test what actually works</li>
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Strengthen human judgment in AI-powered talent decisions</li>
</ul>
Register now and join peers experimenting with practical, human-centered AI workflows.
ELE hosts this member-only, monthly AI Practical Lab on Zoom. Continue the conversation and collaborate with peers through ELE’s <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange">Idea Exchange</a>.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

✨ AI Practical Lab: Show, Don’t Tell — Building Short, High-Impact Videos with Gemini & Canva

christopher.lind

dirk.tussing

Talent Strategy

Future of Work

shonda.cromwell-rashad

canva

1Q2026

video storytelling

short-form video

executive communication

Gemini

visual communication

Session Focus: Turn raw insights into clear, executive-ready stories using AI-assisted framing and visual storytelling—so your ideas land and drive action with decision-makers.
Great ideas don’t fail because they’re wrong—they fail because they’re hard to see, hard to explain, or easy to ignore.
This hands-on AI Practical Lab helps talent leaders transform messy inputs, early insights, and half-formed ideas into clear narratives with business impact.
Using real examples—including images created with Gemini Nano Banana—participants will experiment with:
<img class="aligncenter" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Analytics2025.jpg" alt="" />

<ul data-start="1146" data-end="1306">
 	<li data-start="1146" data-end="1231">
Nano Banana &amp; Copilot to frame insights, surface meaning, and shape the narrative
</li>
 	<li data-start="1232" data-end="1306">
Canva to bring those stories to life visually—quickly and credibly
</li>
</ul>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-44484" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Four-Step-Model-for-AI-Workflows-ELE-4-Cs.jpg" alt="ELE's 4 C Model for AI Workflows" width="1920" height="1080" />
<blockquote>
"“AI amplifies you—it doesn’t replace you. You are the thought leader. AI is your thought partner.”" - <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/marty-murrillo">Marty Murillo</a>
</blockquote>
Each month, we co-experiment as peers—not to build perfect solutions, but to learn by doing and uncover practical ways to integrate AI into real work.
Bring your curiosity, your half-baked ideas, and your real challenges. Leave with clearer stories and visuals you can immediately use with your stakeholders.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-44486" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AI-Practical-Lab-Collaborate-across-roles.jpg" alt="AI Practical Lab - Collaborate across roles" width="1759" height="1048" />
We’ll explore how AI can accelerate storytelling without flattening judgment—helping you move from interesting insight to compelling influence.
The emphasis is not on polished marketing assets, but on executive-ready communication: clarity, signal over noise, and visuals that reinforce the story instead of distracting from it.


<hr data-start="1647" data-end="1650" />

What You'll Work On:
<ul data-start="1679" data-end="1903">
 	<li data-start="1679" data-end="1752">
Turning raw data, observations, or updates into a clear narrative arc
</li>
 	<li data-start="1753" data-end="1826">
Choosing visuals that support decisions, not just decorate slides
</li>
 	<li data-start="1827" data-end="1903">
Using AI to accelerate storytelling—then refining it with human judgment
</li>
</ul>

<hr data-start="1905" data-end="1908" />
Why It Matters:
In the AI era, speed is no longer the constraint—sensemaking is. Leaders don’t need more information; they need stories that connect insight to action.
This lab helps you make your thinking visible, persuasive, and usable—so good ideas don’t die quietly.

<blockquote>"Insight only creates value when others can see it, understand it, and act on it." - <a href="https://www.ele.llc/insights?tags=4022">ELE insight from peer exchange</a></blockquote>
Don't miss this opportunity to:

<ul data-sourcepos="9:1-13:0">
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Work through a real AI-enabled talent challenge with peers</li>
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Contribute your perspective to a shared, evolving workflow</li>
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Collaborate across roles to test what actually works</li>
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Strengthen human judgment in AI-powered talent decisions</li>
</ul>
Register now and join peers experimenting with practical, human-centered AI workflows.
ELE hosts this member-only, monthly AI Practical Lab on Zoom. Continue the conversation and collaborate with peers through ELE’s <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange">Idea Exchange</a>.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

✨ AI Practical Lab: From Insight to Influence — Telling Stories with Business Impact

business impact

storytelling with AI

Nano Banana

Copilot

influencing decisions

Session Focus: Build on a  3-step AI workflow model presented by<a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/julia-meyer"> Julia Meyer</a> and <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/rebecca-benson">Becca Benson</a> at our October 2025 conference by validating the underlying business problem with human context and committing to practical next steps that stick.
This hands-on AI Practical Lab builds directly on last month’s AI workflow challenge, shifting the focus from generating better outputs to ensuring we’re solving the right problem—before accelerating with AI.
Using the same challenge from last month’s <a style="font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.ele.llc/insights/ai-practical-lab-ai-powered-workflows" target="_blank" rel="noopener">✨ AI Practical Lab: AI-Powered Workflows</a>, talent learners in this lab will refine the 3-step model, surface root causes, and apply ELE’s Four-Step Model to clarify why a problem exists—and what action is truly worth committing to. The emphasis is on human judgment, shared context, and practical decision-making so AI-enabled work translates into outcomes that actually stick.
This lab introduces ELE’s Four-Step Model as a practical way to move from clarity to commitment—keeping humans at the center of AI-enabled work.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-44484" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Four-Step-Model-for-AI-Workflows-ELE-4-Cs.jpg" alt="ELE's 4 C Model for AI Workflows" width="1920" height="1080" />
&nbsp;
<blockquote>"AI gives us amazing options, but I need to see the big picture. How is this actually moving the needle for the business?" -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/keri-kersten" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keri Kersten</a></blockquote>
Each month, we co-experiment as peers—not to build perfect solutions, but to learn by doing and uncover practical ways to integrate AI into real work.

Bring your curiosity, your specific challenges, and your ideas. Leave with actionable insights and shared experiments you can immediately apply with your teams. 

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-44486" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AI-Practical-Lab-Collaborate-across-roles.jpg" alt="AI Practical Lab - Collaborate across roles" width="1759" height="1048" />
In the lab, peers work through challenges using three complementary lenses—internal client, AI learning guide, and real-world skeptic—to strengthen judgment before committing to action.
Why It Matters: 2026 demands that we move beyond basic prompting to strategic AI integration. This lab provides a safe, practical space to experiment, learn from peers already deploying AI, and leave with a refined starter workflow you can put into practice tomorrow.

<blockquote>"Clarity gives us confidence; confidence enables meaningful action." - <a href="https://www.ele.llc/events?tags=4022">ELE insight from peer exchange</a></blockquote>
Don't miss this opportunity to:

<ul data-sourcepos="9:1-13:0">
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Work through a real AI-enabled talent challenge with peers</li>
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Contribute your perspective to a shared, evolving workflow</li>
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Collaborate across roles to test what actually works</li>
 	<li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:46">Strengthen human judgment in AI-powered talent decisions</li>
</ul>
Register now and join peers experimenting with practical, human-centered AI workflows.
ELE hosts this member-only, monthly AI Practical Lab on Zoom. Continue the conversation and collaborate with peers through ELE’s <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange">Idea Exchange</a>.

&nbsp;

✨ AI Practical Lab: Humans Solving the Right Problem — ELE’s Four-Step Model

Learning by Doing

solving the right problem

human judgment

peer-led learning

Allstate Insurance

Reynolds Consumer Products

Abilitie

Before getting into a lively discussion, everyone broke into small groups and experienced an AI-enabled sim to provide a front-row look at how AI is transforming leadership development—shifting from static case studies to dynamic, AI-powered practice labs. Luke put it best:

<blockquote>"AI is powerful, but the real breakthroughs come in the human-to-human conversations it sparks." -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/luke-owings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Luke Owings</a>, Abilitie</blockquote>
Instead of replacing connection, AI creates a canvas for richer dialogue, deeper reflection, and safer practice.
And it’s not just theory—Trey reminded us of the scalability:

<blockquote>"We’ve scaled AI-powered simulations from intimate groups of 50 to 900 participants across 3 languages—without losing impact." -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/trey-reynolds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trey Reynolds</a>, Abilitie</blockquote>

<hr data-start="878" data-end="881" />

<h3 data-start="883" data-end="914">🔑 Five Strongest Takeaways</h3>
<ol data-start="915" data-end="1585">
 	<li data-start="915" data-end="1053">
AI moves learning from theory to practice — turning passive cases into immersive role plays that leaders actually live through.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1054" data-end="1185">
Human connection stays central — the most valuable outcomes come from peer dialogue around the AI, not from the AI itself.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1186" data-end="1313">
Cohorts amplify growth and reduce cost — peer accountability and diverse perspectives drive development while showing how practical cost savings can be easily achieved in both small groups and large-scale rollouts..
</li>
 	<li data-start="1314" data-end="1450">
Scalability is proven — AI-powered leadership experiences can flex from small teams to global rollouts, while staying relevant.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1451" data-end="1585">
Ethics and culture matter — design choices (tone, bias, accountability) must align with organizational values to build trust.
</li>
</ol>

<hr data-start="1587" data-end="1590" />

<h3 data-start="1592" data-end="1630">✅ Five Practical Actions</h3>
<ol data-start="1631" data-end="2243">
 	<li data-start="1631" data-end="1752">
Pilot AI simulations now to let leaders safely practice high-stakes conversations before facing them in reality.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1753" data-end="1884">
Design intentional cohorts — structure group size, facilitation, and peer roles to maximize accountability and engagement.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1885" data-end="1999">
Coach leaders to link feedback to impact — tie individual behavior to team performance and career growth.
</li>
 	<li data-start="2000" data-end="2109">
Audit AI tools regularly to ensure fairness, tone alignment, and cultural fit for your organization.
</li>
 	<li data-start="2110" data-end="2243">
Use post-simulation debriefs to convert practice into real behavior change—connecting “in-lab” insights to workplace action.
</li>
</ol>

<hr data-start="2245" data-end="2248" />

<h3 data-start="2250" data-end="2270">Why It Matters</h3>
For senior talent development leaders, this isn’t about adding another shiny tool. It’s about making leadership development more cost-effective and scalable. —with AI as the catalyst, not the replacement, that scales personalized adaptive learning. AI-powered practice labs significantly lower costs—whether you’re running a small, focused cohort or rolling out a global program for hundreds of leaders. By combining affordability with inclusivity and scale, AI becomes the catalyst for sustainable, human-centered leadership growth.
👉 Want to go deeper? Continue the conversation and share your perspective in the <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange">ELE Idea Exchange</a>.

✨ AI Practical Lab: Reimagining Business Case Scenarios for Today’s Leaders

cohort learning

ann.klitzke

azizeh.constantinescu

leadership development

lorna.malloy

business simulation

inclusive leadership

future skills

audrey..hackley

Build a book

erin.joslin

Ethical AI

Simulation-Based Skills

3Q2025

kathleen.yang-clayton

deepa.kartha

holly.r.pyatt

cecilia.lillegard

sydney.francis

luke.owings

trey.reynolds

nikki.anderson

AI in leadership

immersive simulations

practice not theory

human connection

scaling L&amp;D

talent development strategies

business case reimagined

workforce of the future

This live discussion provided a fresh lens on how talent leaders can become detectives of impact rather than order-takers for training.
<blockquote>"Impact isn’t about one program — it’s about the collective contributions of the whole village working toward business goals." -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/kevin-m-yates">Kevin M Yates</a></blockquote>
The discussion challenged us to move beyond ROI as the only measure of success. Instead, it’s about asking sharper questions, anchoring every request to a business goal, and uncovering the leading and lagging indicators that truly show progress.
In breakout labs, leaders tested Kevin’s L&amp;D Detective® Method with AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, and Gemini. The result? What normally takes days to build — a Performance Impact Blueprint — was created in minutes. Still, as <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/matt-donovan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matt Donovan</a> reminded us:

<blockquote>"AI can get you started fast, but real results come when you combine its power with human wisdom."</blockquote>
<h3 data-start="1043" data-end="1079">Key Takeaways for Talent Leaders</h3>
<ul data-start="1080" data-end="1452">
 	<li data-start="1080" data-end="1134">
Impact comes from the ecosystem, not just L&amp;D.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1135" data-end="1229">
ROI is too narrow; align instead to business metrics, time, quality, and expectations.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1230" data-end="1301">
Ask the 12 performance questions before designing any solution.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1302" data-end="1381">
Use AI to accelerate blueprinting, then apply human judgment to refine.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1382" data-end="1452">
Reframe L&amp;D’s role as performance consulting, not fulfillment.
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-start="1454" data-end="1475">Practical Actions</h3>
<ul data-start="1476" data-end="1946">
 	<li data-start="1476" data-end="1575">
Adopt the detective mindset: use frameworks to investigate, blueprint, design, and measure.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1576" data-end="1676">
Start every request with the business goal: ask “How will we know if this moves the needle?”
</li>
 	<li data-start="1677" data-end="1760">
Pilot AI in your measurement work: let it draft blueprints you can sharpen.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1761" data-end="1843">
Secure executive champions to back the shift from training to performance.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1844" data-end="1946">
Use shared tools (frameworks, blueprints) to break silos and build cross-functional alignment.
</li>
</ul>

<hr data-start="1948" data-end="1951" />
👉 For senior talent leaders, the challenge is clear: stop measuring learning in isolation. Start showing how the village — powered by AI and guided by human wisdom — moves the business forward.
🎁 Bonus: Download your FREE copy of the L&amp;D Detective Kit for Investigating Performance Impact (2nd Ed.) here → <a class="" href="https://lnkd.in/gDiewY-W" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="2124" data-end="2176">https://lnkd.in/gDiewY-W</a>
We’ve got measurement mysteries to solve. Let’s get sleuthing. 🕵🏽‍♀️🧩
<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-42702" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Yates-Book-2nd-Edition-LD-Detective-Kit-300x180.jpg" alt="L&amp;D Detective Kit v2 (PDF)" width="300" height="180" />
<blockquote>"Measure the Impact of Training and Learning with Facts, Clues, and Evidence" - <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/kevin-m-yates">Kevin M Yates</a></blockquote>

✨ AI Practical Lab: The L&D Detective Kit for Measuring Real Impact

Analytics

kevin.m.yates

jason.davis

matt.donovan

brady.bair

Performance Consulting

timeka.young

AI in Learning

human AI collaboration

learning analytics

diana.anderson

emily.decker-bess

AI in talent development

cindy.pinkstaffmiller

talent development strategy

ali.glaser

L&amp;D Detective Method

Measuring Learning Impact

Business Metrics

ROI vs ROE

Performance Blueprint

Instructional Design for Performance

Breaking Down Silos

Executive Sponsorship

Session Focus: Copilot 365 gives you more than one assistant—it’s your whole AI team, ready to support how you think, lead, and deliver across your apps.
<blockquote>
“Start treating AI like a teammate, not just a tool—and you’ll unlock real value faster.” — Dirk Tussing.
</blockquote>
That quote reframed the entire discussion. Because this session wasn’t about learning new software but leading a new kind of team. You wouldn’t discard a new hire after day one. You coach them. Set expectations. Help them contribute. The same applies to AI. It’s not a passive system—it’s a teammate you shape over time.
Instead of thinking about Copilot as a single feature, think of it as a growing AI team embedded across your workflow. One teammate helps you coach others. Another drafts emails, preps meeting summaries, or flags action items. One analyzes Excel data. Another—like Colin Hahn demonstrated using Power Automate—quietly handles repeatable ops tasks like reminding you to follow up with clients or logging meeting outcomes into your system.
Supporting this AI team are tools like Microsoft To Do and Viva Insights, which act like your AI chief of staff—monitoring your calendar, inbox, and workflow to surface what matters most, when needed.
So what makes that relationship thrive?

<blockquote>
“ChatGPT Projects let you create specialized AI agents—everything lives in one bucket, and the context builds over time. Copilot offers similar context anchors, but tied to your documents, chats, and apps.” — Roberto Seif
</blockquote>
You don’t need to code—you need to design. L&amp;D leaders are uniquely positioned to bring structure to ambiguity. When you apply imagination to AI, you eliminate the noise that slows your best people down and make space for deeper, more human work.

<h3 data-start="2056" data-end="2106">👥 How to Lead Your AI Team Inside Copilot 365</h3>
<div class="_tableContainer_16hzy_1">
<div class="_tableWrapper_16hzy_14 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse" tabindex="-1">
<table class="w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)" data-start="2108" data-end="3239">
<thead data-start="2108" data-end="2232">
<tr data-start="2108" data-end="2232">
<th data-start="2108" data-end="2128" data-col-size="sm">AI Role</th>
<th data-start="2128" data-end="2167" data-col-size="sm">Where They Work</th>
<th data-start="2167" data-end="2232" data-col-size="md">What They Help You Do</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody data-start="2359" data-end="3239">
<tr data-start="2359" data-end="2483">
<td data-start="2359" data-end="2379" data-col-size="sm">AI Assistant</td>
<td data-col-size="sm" data-start="2379" data-end="2418">Outlook, Teams</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="2418" data-end="2483">Draft replies, summarize threads, flag follow-ups</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2484" data-end="2609">
<td data-start="2484" data-end="2504" data-col-size="sm">AI Coach</td>
<td data-col-size="sm" data-start="2504" data-end="2543">Word, OneNote, Teams</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="2543" data-end="2609">Refine tone, structure feedback, support performance convos</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2610" data-end="2735">
<td data-start="2610" data-end="2630" data-col-size="sm">AI Specialist</td>
<td data-col-size="sm" data-start="2630" data-end="2669">Excel, Power BI</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="2669" data-end="2735">Analyze data, build visualizations, spot insights</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2736" data-end="2861">
<td data-start="2736" data-end="2756" data-col-size="sm">AI Teammate</td>
<td data-col-size="sm" data-start="2756" data-end="2795">Word, PowerPoint</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="2795" data-end="2861">Co-author learning plans, proposals, or strategy decks</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2862" data-end="2987">
<td data-start="2862" data-end="2882" data-col-size="sm">AI Trainer</td>
<td data-col-size="sm" data-start="2882" data-end="2921">Word, Loop, SharePoint</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="2921" data-end="2987">Rewrite SOPs, simplify policies, structure onboarding flows</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2988" data-end="3113">
<td data-start="2988" data-end="3008" data-col-size="sm">AI Ops Partner</td>
<td data-col-size="sm" data-start="3008" data-end="3047">Power Automate, Outlook</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="3047" data-end="3113">Log actions, trigger reminders, integrate workflows</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="3114" data-end="3239">
<td data-start="3114" data-end="3138" data-col-size="sm">AI Chief of Staff</td>
<td data-col-size="sm" data-start="3138" data-end="3173">Viva Insights, To Do</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="3173" data-end="3239">Monitor priorities, surface nudges, protect focus time</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<h3 data-start="1923" data-end="1955">🔑 The Shift:</h3>
You’re building a team—and leading it.
Give each AI teammate a role. Coach them through clear prompts. Evaluate their output. And most importantly—design the conditions where both AI and your people can thrive.


<hr />
Are you a senior HR leader passionate about talent and innovation? Ready to embrace the power of AI?
Join us for "Let's Talk Talent Strategies," an exclusive, complimentary event where you'll connect with fellow HR leaders, explore cutting-edge talent development capabilities, and learn how to leverage AI to add unexpected value to your organization.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-43222" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/MS-Copilot365-Treat-as-a-team-member.jpg" alt="Treat GenAI as a team member" width="550" height="359" />
AI isn’t just a tool—it’s your newest team member. And Copilot helps you hire the right ones for the work you do every day.

✨ AI from Tool to Teammate: How to Build—and Lead—Your AI Team

learning technology

newton.moore

yolanda.mangram

steve.caponigri

2Q2025

L&amp;D leadership

AI literacy

annette.wehrli

ChatGPT for ld

custom gpts

performance coaching

learning innovation

workplace AI tools

talent intelligence

CNA Insurance

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions

Session Focus: Harnessing AI to Connect Learning with Strategic Business Execution (Use Case: Zurn/Elkay Culture Building Post M&amp;A)


This ELE Experience offered senior HR and talent leaders an immersive, hands-on look at how generative AI—specifically Microsoft Copilot—can bridge the gap between learning initiatives and business strategy.

As organizations continue to evolve—through mergers, digital transformation, or shifts in workforce expectations—talent leaders are expected to do more than manage programs. We're being asked to deliver strategic value that shapes culture, enables leadership, and drives execution.

That’s why the theme of our May 8 AI Practical Lab, “Aligning Learning with Organizational Goals,” resonated so strongly.
<blockquote>"We’re rebalancing our efforts—performance goals matter, but how we lead matters just as much." -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/jenny-heitman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jenny Heitman</a>, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions</blockquote>
We were especially excited to welcome <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/jenny-heitman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jenny Heitman</a> from Zurn Elkay, who shared a real-world case study on rebuilding engagement and leadership alignment post-merger. Her example, paired with The Capability Blueprint from our Insights archive, created a simple but powerful framework for strategic alignment:

<img class="aligncenter" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Capability-Blueprint.jpg" alt="" width="793" height="558" />

As we prompted Copilot using The Capability Blueprint, the combination became a practical guide to drive focused action and business impact.

For those who couldn’t join us live, here are three questions we encourage you to explore with your team:
<ol>
 	<li>What do we want to be? -- Clarify your business strategy—your north star that defines purpose and direction.</li>
 	<li>How do we get there? -- Look at it through multiple lenses:
<ul>
 	<li>People (culture, organization, and competency)</li>
 	<li>Process (workflow and efficiency)</li>
 	<li>Technology (tools, applications, and delivery vehicles)</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li>How do we know when we’re there? -- Define meaningful performance metrics that demonstrate impact and progress.</li>
</ol>
Let’s keep the momentum going. If you'd like to dive deeper into any of these areas.

This wasn’t a theoretical discussion—it was a practical lab. With support from Jason Davis, Behati Hart, and Peter Hogaboam, participants learned how to:
<ul>
 	<li>Use Microsoft Copilot to structure a learning strategy,</li>
 	<li>Align behaviors with values across job families, and</li>
 	<li>Generate measurable outcomes that matter to the business.</li>
</ul>
As Peter reminded us, success with AI starts with a mindset shift:
<blockquote>"Try things. Be curious. Upload a document. Ask how AI would approach the problem. That’s where the value shows up." -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/peter-hogaboam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peter Hogaboam</a>, CNA Insurance</blockquote>
<h2 class="" data-start="1895" data-end="1939">🔑 Top 3 Key Takeaways for HR Talent Leaders</h2>
<ol data-start="1941" data-end="2488">
 	<li class="" data-start="1941" data-end="2093">
Behavioral Alignment Is the Real Culture Work Strategy alone isn’t enough—behavioral consistency across roles is what brings change to life.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="2095" data-end="2296">
AI Enhances Strategic Clarity and Speed Generative AI, when fed with the right context, can accelerate the creation of blueprints, surface KPIs, and shape actionable learning interventions.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="2298" data-end="2488">
Inclusion + Peer Collaboration Drive Sustainable Change Engaging employees in co-creating expectations and collaborating across companies fuels belonging, creativity, and buy-in.
</li>
</ol>

<hr class="" data-start="2490" data-end="2493" />

<h2 class="" data-start="2495" data-end="2538">🛠️ 5 Practical Actions You Can Take Now</h2>
<ol data-start="2540" data-end="3530">
 	<li class="" data-start="2540" data-end="2735">
Reinforce Core Values at Every Level Map how your values show up in each job family. Use AI tools to draft behavioral guides tailored to functions like marketing, operations, or tech.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="2737" data-end="2950">
Train Teams on Prompting and Contextual AI Use Encourage your HR and L&amp;D teams to experiment with uploading docs and using AI to synthesize strategic plans, build personas, and generate learning paths.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="2952" data-end="3156">
Use ‘How Might We’ Questions to Drive Engagement Reframe initiatives as design prompts (e.g., “How might we build accountability into everyday work?”) to spark ideation and shared ownership.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="3158" data-end="3336">
Co-Create Success Metrics With Business Leaders Define what winning looks like with key stakeholders first, then build learning solutions that support those outcomes.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="3338" data-end="3530">
Host Peer-Led AI Practice Labs Create safe, vendor-free spaces for your team or community to test tools like Copilot, ChatGPT, or Claude. Share results, iterate together, and grow.
</li>
</ol>
This session underscored a vital shift in our field: the future of learning and development isn’t just about content or delivery—it’s about orchestrating behavior change at scale. AI can help, but it’s still the human insight that drives impact.
As HR talent leaders, we’re at a unique inflection point—where the tools are powerful, the expectations are high, and the opportunity to lead through innovation has never been greater.
Are we ready to challenge our understanding and integrate AI in ways that not only meet but advance our strategic goals?
Let’s keep learning—together and share your journey on <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ELE Idea Exchange</a>.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-42837" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/For-The-Culture-Book-Cover.jpg" alt="For The Culture (Collins, 2024)" width="348" height="522" />
<a title="I Bullseye Tactics For Non-Technical Business Leader" href="https://www.ele.llc/members/bookshelf/for-the-culture">For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be</a>

<blockquote>"You shouldn’t be afraid of AI taking your job, but you should be afraid of someone who knows how to use AI taking your job." - <a href="https://www.learningexecutive.com/members/mike-kester">Mike Kester</a></blockquote>

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