Dashboard

Forms

Listening Meetup

Page banners

Plan landings

Main navigation

Gallery

Upload

Media library

Memberships

All tickets

Create ticket

Prepaid tickets

Users

ELE is a peer-powered community where people leaders don't just reframe challenges — they leave with decisions, next moves, and 30/60/90-day commitments to move real work forward.&nbsp;For 22 years, leaders from Fortune 1000 companies have brought their hardest problems here — and left sharper than they arrived.

UPCOMING CALENDAR

LATEST IDEA EXCHANGE

RECENT INSIGHTS

WHO WE ARE

Schedule a Meetup

Vote to Shape

This is where people leaders get sharper — and their teams get smarter.ELE is a peer-powered network of people leaders who accelerate business results through shared intelligence and real-work collaboration. Learn more below about why ELE has been the trusted choice for leaders building high-performing teams for over 20 years.

About ELE

Schedule a Local Meetup

Bring a real talent challenge. Name what's at stake, what you've tried, and why it matters now.

Community-Powered Calendar

Signal what matters most. Your vote shapes what your peers tackle next.

Companies In Our Network

Contact ELE

Find the peer conversation that moves your work forward.The right exchange builds better leaders, closes capability gaps, and cuts through what internal meetings can't.

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.

Get answers about how Executive Learning Exchange (ELE) works — peer-powered leadership development that fixes real work issues, reverses burnout, and accelerates business value. No programs. No vendors. In the flow of work.

Where people leaders share what's working, ask what's hard, and learn from peers navigating the same talent challenges right now. Search before you post. When referencing a resource, paste the key insight directly into your response with a link to the source.

Real conversations from people leaders tackling today's toughest talent challenges -- captured live, ready to apply with your teams when it fits your schedule, and connected to what's happening right now.

Insights on Talent Challenges | Captured Peer Conversations | ELE

Welcome

Pick your path — each plan reflects a different commitment to accelerating business value.

ELE Plans — Find your place.

Want ELE to come to you? Propose a local gathering — the community decides what gets scheduled.

WeLearn

Join us for a live conversation as we talk to author Loren Sanders about her view of organizations being powered by people, and empowered with empathy. She’ll also be previewing what you can find in her newest book Empathy Is Not A Weakness: And Other Stories from The Edge.

Embracing Empathy Is Not A Weakness: And Other Stories from The Edge.

engagement &amp; culture

Engagement &amp; Culture

effective leadership

learning &amp; development

sean.stowers

leading remote workers

Empathy

trust

inclusive leadership

CHIE2023

loren.sanders

Session Focus: Unveiling Empathy’s Power: An Intimate Fireside Chat with the Author

In a thought-provoking fireside chat, author Lauren Sanders unveiled the transformative power of empathy through her book "Embracing Empathy." Sanders shared candid stories from her own journey as a leader who lacked empathy early in her career to her profound awakening about its vital importance.

"Empathy is the key to building trust and I don't think anybody would argue with me when I say the impact of Trust on teams and in organizations matters," Sanders asserted. Through her authenticity and vulnerability, three key takeaways emerged:
1. Empathy is a critical practice for effective leadership that drives trust, motivation and retention, but it requires ongoing self-awareness and effort to develop.
2. Demonstrating empathy means deeply understanding each individual's unique perspectives, needs and situation through curious questioning and authentic listening.
3. Empathy is not leniency - it involves giving candid feedback when needed, but doing so through the lens of caring about someone's growth versus just demanding results.
Sanders emphasized that empathy is a muscle that must be continuously exercised. She encouraged leaders to investigate their self-awareness, seek feedback on how they are perceived, and tailor their approach to connect with each person's distinct reality.

While the road to true empathy has challenges, such as today's virtual environments, Sanders made a powerful case that the payoff is invaluable. When people feel their leader genuinely understands and values them, they are inspired to bring their fullest selves to the work. Empathy fosters the trust that is the bedrock of all high-performing teams and organizations.

Embracing Empathy

dirk.tussing

richard.busby

sara.lorenzo

edward.desrosiers

david.glenz

tom.griffin

bill.ryan

leigha.kinnear

brady.bair

megan.bickle

yingyang.w

Session Focus: Unveiling Empathy's Power: An Intimate Fireside Chat with the Author

Join us for an enlightening fireside chat with the esteemed author, Loren Sanders, as she shares invaluable insights on empathetic leadership and its profound impact on creating thriving work environments. In her remarkable book, <a href="https://www.ele.llc/books/empathy-is-not-a-weakness">Empathy is not a Weakness and Other Stories from the Edge</a>, Sanders unveils the seven key practices essential for cultivating empathy and motivating others.

With honesty and humility, Sanders takes us on her journey of self-awareness, recounting the pivotal moments that compelled her to confront her leadership shortcomings. Through captivating anecdotes and real-life examples, she demonstrates the transformative power of empathy in nurturing a culture where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported.

&nbsp;

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-40481" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Empathy-Book-and-Wine-768x1024.jpg" alt="Empathy Is Not a Weakness (Loren Sanders)" width="212" height="283" />

&nbsp;

During this engaging discussion, Sanders will delve into practical strategies for leaders to enhance their emotional intelligence and harness the strength of empathy. From the importance of active listening and gaining a perspective to building trust and providing meaningful feedback, she will share actionable takeaways that can be implemented immediately.

Discover how empathy and effective leadership go hand in hand, enabling organizations to thrive and individuals to reach their full potential. Don't miss this opportunity to glean invaluable wisdom from a true champion of empathetic leadership. Join us and unlock the secrets to fostering a culture of empathy and empowerment in your professional journey.

&nbsp;

ELE produces this Learning Circle: Reskilling Talent Development.

ELE's <a title="ELE's Idea Exchange" href="/idea-exchange/">Idea Exchange</a>: Collaborate online with your peers.

single-event

Your Teams

Learning Circles

Complimentary

online event

complimentary event

Executive Learning Exchange (ELE)

Session Focus: Embracing the diversity of workstyles and bringing equity to the core of teams.

Some companies worry that hybrid work options will result in a productivity decline. By embracing the diversity of work styles, leaders can build trust and embrace the purpose of equity. Inclusion comes when leaders invite everyone to participate in the standards to which we’ve all agreed to work in this new space. Join our discussion as we reverse engineer DEI and how your team can feel supported in the hybrid workspace of your organization.

Together, let’s explore:

✅ Leaders are challenged to differentiate preferences in a way that is equitable and doesn’t get you in trouble for treating people differently. As leaders, what is the impact on equity and inclusion if we have a “sameness” approach because we believe we have to treat everyone the same?

✅ If you are a people leader, how does your style differ from other people in your team, and what are strategies you can do to be more inclusive for those who differ?

✅ As leaders or as an organization, how are you practicing tolerance of preference of workstyles (i.e. working parent vs single employee)?

If you would like to dig deeper into Embracing the diversity of workstyles and bringing equity to the core of teams, here are two resources:

✅ <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/diversity-inclusion-post-pandemic-world-shreya-choubey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DEI in Post Pandemic World</a> (Fortune, May 2020)

✅ <a href="https://fortune.com/2021/06/24/designing-for-inclusion-post-covid-office-workplace-business-leadership-dei/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How Business Leaders are Designing for Inclusion in the Post Pandemic Workplace</a> (Fortune, June 2021)

This Learning Circle – Culture Shaping is produced by Executive Learning Exchange.

Workstyles Diversity: Shapes Culture, Equity, Inclusion And Belonging

Integrated Talent Management

retention

alison.cowan

tomas.ramirez

learning culture

culture

joanne.prochnow

jesse.james

return to workplace

employee engagement

karen.gilley

lynn.yazbec

brigette.richaerson

scenario planning

well-being

betty.hart

agile leaders

ruben.abarca

return to office

hybrid workplace

hybrid professional

julie.hassel

Equitable Inclusive

erika.whyte

LAK Group

Session Focus: Embracing the diversity of workstyles and bringing equity to the core of teams.

Some companies worry that hybrid work options will result in a productivity decline. By embracing the diversity of work styles, leaders can build trust and embrace the purpose of equity. Inclusion comes when leaders invite everyone to participate in the standards to which we’ve all agreed to work in this new space. Join our discussion as we reverse engineer DEI and how your team can feel supported in the hybrid workspace of your organization.

Together, let's explore:
<ol>
 	<li>? Leaders are challenged to differentiate preferences in a way that is equitable and doesn’t get you in trouble for treating people differently. As leaders, what is the impact on equity and inclusion if we have a “sameness” approach because we believe we have to treat everyone the same?</li>
 	<li>? If you are a people leader, how does your style differ from other people in your team, and what are strategies you can do to be more inclusive for those who differ?</li>
 	<li>? As leaders or as an organization, how are you practicing tolerance of preference of workstyles (i.e. working parent vs single employee)?</li>
</ol>
If you would like to dig deeper into Embracing the diversity of workstyles and bringing equity to the core of teams, here are two resources:
<ul>
 	<li>✅ <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/diversity-inclusion-post-pandemic-world-shreya-choubey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DEI in Post Pandemic World</a> (Fortune, May 2020)</li>
 	<li>✅ <a href="https://fortune.com/2021/06/24/designing-for-inclusion-post-covid-office-workplace-business-leadership-dei/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How Business Leaders are Designing for Inclusion in the Post Pandemic Workplace</a> (Fortune, June 2021)</li>
</ul>
This Learning Circle – Culture Shaping is produced by Executive Learning Exchange.

Idea Exchange: Collaborate your insights online with your peers <a href="https://www.learningexecutive.com/idea-exchange/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

Workstyles Diversity: Shapes Culture, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Team Leaders

michael.grubich

kym.anglin

Session Focus: Co-create a Manager/Supervisor LEADING REMOTELY Toolkit
This collection of resources will help you lead through and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the role of a leader has never been more important.

To assist you in this effort, this toolkit is a practical “go-to” resource with leadership tools designed to help you manage and engage your employees through and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

You will find resources packed with best practices and tips on areas such as leading others through change, engaging your employees, coaching virtually, building resilience, virtual collaboration, and leading remotely.

KEY TOPICS:
<ul>
 	<li>Well-Being</li>
 	<li>Using Technology to Build Connection</li>
 	<li>Resiliency</li>
 	<li>Performance Management</li>
 	<li>Network Leadership</li>
 	<li>Leading Through Change</li>
 	<li>Leading a Virtual Team</li>
 	<li>Having Challenging Conversations</li>
 	<li>Engaging Your Team</li>
 	<li>Developing Others</li>
 	<li>Collaborating Virtually</li>
 	<li>Coaching Virtually</li>
 	<li>Building Trust</li>
 	<li>Building Empathy</li>
 	<li>Agile Mindset</li>
</ul>

Curating L&D Content for Leading Remotely

curation

Operations

wellness

Change Management

coaching

performance management

ben.betts

resilence

collaboration

Coaching Conversations

network leadership

agile mindset

Characterized for years as the lever of critical business outcomes, the future of work has arrived – overnight and with an unforeseen level of force and consequence.

What we will explore together:
Jay Jamrog, Futurist and i4cp co-founder, will engage us in surfacing what rules need to be broken, re-written, and discarded altogether as they pivot to deliver sustainable performance in the face of the Future of Work 2.0.

Let’s discuss with Jay the following five points of the Future of Work through the lens of What is it? Why does it matter? Practical examples of change and value.
<ul>
 	<li>New Corporate Currency</li>
 	<li>Soft Skills</li>
 	<li>Experiences Matter</li>
 	<li>Work Re-Imagined</li>
 	<li>Meaningful Development</li>
</ul>
ELE’s Learning Circle will be ideating Retooling Talent Development for the New Normal. 
<ul>
 	<li>How Do We in L&amp;D Add Unexpected Value? </li>
 	<li>Why does it matter?</li>
</ul>
ELE’s Idea Exchange: Collaborate your insights online with your peers <a href="https://www.learningexecutive.com/idea-exchange/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

<hr />

<blockquote>Consider joining ELE’s Virtual cohort for Learning &amp; HR Executives. A TEAM LEADERS Membership grants a year-long learning process through face-to-face collaboration and networking with other local heads of Learning &amp; Talent Development, access to a robust archive of Virtual cohorts and exchanges via ELE Insights, and robust question &amp; answer forum named the ELE Idea Exchange. Each senior leader is encouraged to bring a peer from their organization that contributes to, engages, or supports the Learning &amp; Talent spectrum for their workplace.

Our quarterly cohort exchanges are built around the following design elements:
<ol>
 	<li>Sharing practical case studies aligned to business needs</li>
 	<li>Identifying key issues and developing insights and solutions</li>
 	<li>Canvassing learning industry trends applied at ELE members’ workplace</li>
</ol>
For more information, visit <a href="https://learningexecutive.com/our-membership-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://learningexecutive.com/our-membership-plans/</a>.</blockquote>

Jay Jamrog's The Great Disruptor: i4cp Future of Work | Retooling #13

digital

evidence-based research

future of work

learning strategy

Future of Work

jay.jamrog

transformation

operations

agility

Adding Value

Culture Change

wendi.barlow

influence

employee experience

Uline

"We weren't ready for this." If you have said this about your organization's readiness to handle the crises of 2020, you're not alone. Organizations had to pivot quickly in the early days of COVID-19. The technology was a solution to the challenges that arose to address and meet the needs of employees, but what were the other things employees needed that we didn't account or plan for?

Should organizational readiness initiatives be technology-driven and focus mainly on upskilling or reskilling employees accordingly? Why does a human-centered approach matter? Are leaders aware of the consequences of not preparing people to endure relentless change, concurrent crises, and an uncertain future?

What we will explore together

We will take a fresh look at Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and discuss why psychological safety should be considered a key driver of organizational readiness for 2020 and beyond.

We will introduce five human-centered leadership skills for improving psychological safety and how they impact readiness across the organization.

Participants will add to the conversation by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of two readiness case studies.

We will engage in dialogue and share ideas about how we can educate, inform, and embed more human-centered leadership practices in our organizations.

 

ELE’s Idea Exchange: Collaborate your insights online with your peers <a href="https://www.learningexecutive.com/idea-exchange/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

<hr />

 
<blockquote>Consider joining ELE’s Virtual cohort for Learning & HR Executives. A TEAM LEADERS Membership grants a year-long learning process through face-to-face collaboration and networking with other local heads of Learning & Talent Development, access to a robust archive of Virtual cohorts and exchanges via ELE Insights, and robust question & answer forum named the ELE Idea Exchange. Each senior leader is encouraged to bring a peer from their organization that contributes to, engages, or supports the Learning & Talent spectrum for their workplace.

Our quarterly cohort exchanges are built around the following design elements:
<ol>
 	<li>Sharing practical case studies aligned to business needs</li>
 	<li>Identifying key issues and developing insights and solutions</li>
 	<li>Canvassing learning industry trends applied at ELE members’ workplace</li>
</ol>
For more information, visit <a href="https://learningexecutive.com/our-membership-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://learningexecutive.com/our-membership-plans/</a>.</blockquote>

Organizational Readiness: Essential Skills for 2020 & Beyond

people strategy

corinne.rice

kristin.derwinski

laura.schart

inclusion

Learning Agility

insights-wise-2020

psychological safety

Zurich North America

Session Focus: Addressing Organizational Capability Gap – Learning Agility, Empathy &amp; Critical thinking
Case study:  Zurich’s 3-year learning strategy to instill Power Skills

Zurich is implementing a 3-year learning strategy to instill Power Skills which provide an organizational capability for foundational future of work skills. The framework they designed is repeatable and introduces each skill and its associated learning journey. Initially, the 2020 quarterly Power Skills focus will be:
<ol>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
 	<li> Learning Agility,</li>
 	<li> Empathy,</li>
 	<li> Critical thinking.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
ELE produces this Future of Work Learning Circle inspired by i4cp research on Automating Work: The Human/AI Intersection that uncovered The Three Gaps:
<ol>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
 	<li> The Organizational Capability Gap</li>
 	<li> The Workforce Motivation Gap</li>
 	<li> The HR Readinss Gap</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;"></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Future of Work Learning Circle: Zurich's Power Skills Learning Strategy

integrated talent management

Futures-LC

nick.allen

diana.halfer

upskilling

mitzi.vavrick

scott.macquarrie

critical thinking

Session Focus: Co-create a Manager/Supervisor LEADING REMOTELY Toolkit
This collection of resources will help you lead through and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the role of a leader has never been more important.

To assist you in this effort, this toolkit is a practical “go-to” resource with leadership tools designed to help you manage and engage your employees through and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

You will find resources packed with best practices and tips on areas such as leading others through change, engaging your employees, coaching virtually, building resilience, virtual collaboration, and leading remotely.

KEY TOPICS:
<ul>
 	<li>Well-Being</li>
 	<li>Using Technology to Build Connection</li>
 	<li>Resiliency</li>
 	<li>Performance Management</li>
 	<li>Network Leadership</li>
 	<li>Leading Through Change</li>
 	<li>Leading a Virtual Team</li>
 	<li>Having Challenging Conversations</li>
 	<li>Engaging Your Team</li>
 	<li>Developing Others</li>
 	<li>Collaborating Virtually</li>
 	<li>Coaching Virtually</li>
 	<li>Building Trust</li>
 	<li>Building Empathy</li>
 	<li>Agile Mindset</li>
</ul>
ELE produces this Curation of L&amp;D Content Learning Circle.

If possible, please plan to log in a few minutes early to make sure you have the Zoom plug-in loaded on your computer, and your headset/mic is working correctly.

Curation of L&D Content Learning Circle: LEADING REMOTELY THROUGH COVID-19

ann.manikas

Session Focus: Addressing Organizational Capability Gap - Learning Agility, Empathy &amp; Critical thinking
Case study:  Zurich's 3-year learning strategy to instill Power Skills

Zurich is implementing a 3-year learning strategy to instill Power Skills which provide an organizational capability for foundational future of work skills. The framework they designed is repeatable and introduces each skill and its associated learning journey. Initially, the 2020 quarterly Power Skills focus will be:
<ol>
 	<li> Learning Agility,</li>
 	<li> Empathy,</li>
 	<li>Critical thinking.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;

ELE produces this Future of Work Learning Circle inspired by i4cp research on Automating Work: The Human/AI Intersection that uncovered The Three Gaps:
<ul>
 	<li>The Organizational Capability Gap</li>
 	<li>The Workforce Motivation Gap</li>
 	<li>The HR Readiness Gap</li>
</ul>

Future of Work Learning Circle (July 2020)

organizational readiness

power skills

What makes a great leader? Often, our worst leaders and toxic leadership behaviors teach us the most about creating better leadership experiences for others. Loren Sanders reveals the seven critical practices essential for gaining empathy and motivating others in this enlightening book. Companies where people feel seen, heard, and supported, tend to be far more successful than those whose employees are disengaged and constantly under stress.

With honesty and humility, Sanders describes how she recognized her shortcomings as a leader and faced hard truths head-on. She takes us on her journey of self-awareness, sharing vital lessons about listening, gaining perspective, and building trust. With real stories of people who overcame tough situations at work, Sanders shows how leaders can provide positive and meaningful feedback. Each chapter ends with key takeaways that you can try today to enhance your leadership skills and transform your company's culture, whether you're a seasoned leader or new to a management role.

Accomplishing business goals and caring for people are not mutually exclusive. Empathy is one of the best leadership skills and emotional intelligence traits, and great leaders are willing to share their emotions and feelings with others and allow them to share theirs. When you're a champion for your team, raise them, believe in them, and believe in them, you empower them to perform their best.

Empathy Is Not A Weakness

leadership

team-development

leadership development

humane leadership

Is it possible to grab an audience’s attention in this noisy, confusing world? According to Steven Woodruff, the solution can be summed up in clarity.

Clarity-fueled communication is using the fewest words to make the most significant impact. The Point unveils how the overloaded human brain wants information packaged and how to craft brain-friendly messages that break through the noise.

Steven Woodruff’s Clarity Fuel Formula is the universal recipe for communication success, from email to sales pitch workshops to resumes. The Point includes four simple actions and eight compelling shortcuts that anyone can use to get to the point and get others on the same page.

The Point: How to Win with Clarity-Fueled Communications

corinne@innovatingresults.com

Coaching

communication

messaging

clarity

simplicity

marketing

writing

presentations

persuasion

i4cp

Jay Jamrog’s The Great Disruptor: i4cp Future of Work