ELE brings leaders together across companies and industries to work through the messy stuff: decisions, risk, handoffs, execution drag, and what it takes to move from idea to action.

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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

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 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 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="900" height="506" />
&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>
This discussion offered a timely reminder: most capability gaps don’t start with a learning problem—they start with a clarity problem.
As <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/nicole-defalco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicole DeFalco</a> put it,

<blockquote data-path-to-node="3,0,1">
"Clients don’t come to us with problems—they come to us with solutions wrapped in assumptions."
</blockquote>
That framing resonated because it reflects the daily reality talent leaders face. We’re often handed a fully formed request—train this, roll that out, scale it fast—and rewarded for speed, not scrutiny. But when we rush to deliver, we risk solving the wrong problem beautifully.
The most powerful moments came from slowing down and asking harder questions:

<ul data-start="873" data-end="1111">
 	<li data-start="873" data-end="917">
What business outcome is actually off?
</li>
 	<li data-start="918" data-end="1030">
What evidence says this is a skills issue—and not incentives, workload, role design, or market conditions?
</li>
 	<li data-start="1031" data-end="1111">
What would people need to do differently in real work for results to change?
</li>
</ul>
That shift—from order-taker to problem framer—is where team capability actually starts.
Another insight landed hard: training can’t compensate for an environment that discourages the very behaviors we’re trying to build. If KPIs, job design, time pressure, or incentives pull people in the opposite direction, no amount of content will stick. Capability has to be designed into the work itself.
The group also challenged the instinct to “train everyone.” Instead, the conversation moved toward targeted pilots with high-impact cohorts—designing with the people closest to the outcome, learning fast, and scaling only once behavior change is visible. That’s not slower; it’s smarter.
AI showed up not as a content engine, but as a thinking partner—helping leaders rehearse stakeholder conversations, pressure-test assumptions, and surface blind spots before committing resources. Used this way, AI didn’t replace judgment; it sharpened it.
And as <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/angelica-janina-stilling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Angelica Stilling</a> summed up succinctly,

<blockquote data-path-to-node="3,0,1">
"Clients don’t come to us with problems—they come to us with solutions wrapped in assumptions."
</blockquote>
That line captured the discipline required of leaders right now—not more activity, not faster delivery, but clearer thinking.
For talent leaders, the takeaway is straightforward but demanding: Building team capability isn’t about delivering better learning. It’s about designing the conditions where learning shows up as different decisions, actions, and results.
If your team is busy building programs but struggling to move the needle, the most impactful move may be to pause—and ask better questions before you build anything at all.
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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

learning strategy

Digital &amp; AI

tracey.wik

performance improvement

mike.kester

edward.desrosiers

leadership development

anton.maletich

marty.murrillo

Performance Improvement

diana.anderson

ai practical lab

Workforce Transformation

future ready teams

nicole.defalco

angelica.janina.stilling

Behavior Change

capability building

Strategic L&amp;D

AI-enabled learning

1Q2026

organizational performance

dustin.brewer

human-centered learning

amy.p.wilkins

team capability

learning in the flow of work

talent experience design

trusted advisor mindset

problem framing

AI as thought partner

confidence capability clarity

design thinking for talent

evidence-based learning

Zurich North America

ELE Group, LLC

Session Focus:  A peer design charrette focused on moving AI adoption beyond training programs toward shared practice and sustained learning.
Many organizations can launch AI upskilling. Far fewer build the change conditions that make it stick—communication, manager support, and reinforcement in real work.
This design charrette builds on insights from Kate Haney’s October  <a href="https://www.ele.llc/insights/ai-practical-lab-from-whiteboard-to-workflow">✨ AI Practical Lab: From Whiteboard to Workflow</a> and recent community discussions around enterprise AI deployment.

<blockquote>
Borrowed from architecture, a design charrette brings experienced practitioners together to solve complex problems quickly. ELE Design Charrettes—introduced by <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/alaska-fu">Alaska Fu</a>, ELE’s Experience Designer—are focused, peer-powered working conversations that help leaders co-create and refine practical approaches in 50–90 minutes.
</blockquote>
Together, we’ll examine what it takes to move AI adoption from training to shared practice—where communication, support, and reinforcement drive real use. The focus is not on vendor selection, but on how leaders create conditions for experimentation, feedback, and real use.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-44503" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ELE-POV-AIQ-EQ-IQ.png" alt="Diagram showing AIQ overlapping with IQ and EQ, illustrating how AI-enabled human judgment drives performance." width="699" height="393" />
Expect thoughtful peer input, design questions, and early patterns leaders can adapt inside their own organizations.
In our October AI Practical Lab, Kate Haney—leading enterprise AI reskilling at Zurich North America for more than a year—shared what’s working (and what’s stalling) in real organizations. One insight resonated deeply across the group:

<blockquote>
Successful AI upskilling isn’t just about training programs—it’s about communication, support, and real success stories that make it stick.
</blockquote>
That insight frames the AI Transformation model below—and why human-centered transformation requires far more than content or tools.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-44471" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/AI-Transformation-Upskilling-in-AI-Maturity-e1766111773634.png" alt="Upskilling in AI Maturity" width="501" height="481" />

Who Should Join

Leaders who are past experimenting with AI and now wrestling with a harder question: Why isn’t it sticking?
If you’re responsible for scaling AI use across managers, teams, or functions—and you’re seeing uneven adoption, stalled momentum, or “great tools, little behavior change”—you’ll be in the right room. This is especially relevant for HR, talent, learning, and transformation leaders who know AI adoption is no longer a training problem, but a practice, support, and reinforcement challenge.
How This Works

This 50-minute ELE Design Charrette isn’t a presentation. It opens with a short framing insight, then quickly moves into peer work. Participants compare notes on what actually shifts behavior at scale—how communication, manager support, and real success stories accelerate adoption, and where well-intended efforts quietly break down.
You’ll leave with clearer design patterns and sharper questions—not a framework to admire, but practical moves you can test immediately inside your organization.
Join the ELE Conversation
These every-other-Friday discussions are part of ELE’s ongoing peer exchange for leaders shaping talent and work in the AI era. Come ready to listen, contribute, and learn alongside peers testing ideas in real organizations and sharing what they’re learning.
Recordings are posted to <a href="https://www.ele.llc/insights">ELE Insights</a> within 2–4 business days.

Design Charrette: From AI Adoption to Shared Practice at Scale

single-event

future of work

Your Teams

Learning Circles

digital transformation

teri.hart

innovation

Change Management

upskilling

talent development

Complimentary

online event

complimentary event

Culture Change

communication

collaboration

jason.gallo

Future of Work

Engagement &amp; Culture

continuous learning

reskilling

organizational change

peer-learning

L&amp;D

HR leaders

AI in HR

AI transformation

workplace adaptation

AI Adoption

knowledge sharing

michael.hruska

actionable insights

practical strategies

cindy.pinkstaffmiller

AI literacy

alaska.fu

AI maturity

manager capability

AI and learning

AI reskilling

ai resk

Design Charrette

reframing hr

scaling AI

practice at scale

reinforcement

manager support

getAbstract

ELE invites you to join Denis Sternberg and thought leaders at...
getAbstract Author Dinner
open from 6:15 - 8:00 p.m. at Wildfire, Schaumburg, IL
We're inviting a select group of Talent executives to an informal gathering with getAbstract. This cozy meetup is designed for just 15 leaders, providing a perfect setting for relaxed conversation and personal connection without the confines of a structured agenda.

This evening, <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/teri-hart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teri Hart</a> will host getAbstract’s invitation-only author dinner in Schaumburg, IL. At the dinner, she will explain Workplace Agility in the AI era to executives.

What to Expect:
<ul>
 	<li>Open Dialogue: Share your experiences, challenges, and insights in an open, welcoming environment.</li>
 	<li>Networking: Build meaningful relationships with peers who are equally passionate about advancing L&amp;D.</li>
</ul>
Why You Should Come:
<ul>
 	<li>Enjoy the rare chance to unwind and interact without the usual time pressures and formalities.</li>
 	<li>Gain insights in a setting that encourages free and open exchange of ideas.</li>
 	<li>Connect with getAbstract in a meaningful way.</li>
 	<li>Complimentary getAbstract is available on ELE's bookshelf:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/bookshelf/hardwired-to-learn-leveraging-the-self-sustaining-power-of-lifelong-learning">Teri's Abstract: Hardwired to Learn: Leveraging the Self-Sustaining Power of Lifelong Learning</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend:
<ul>
 	<li>CHROs and Chief People Officer</li>
 	<li>Global Head of Talent Development</li>
 	<li>Director of Talent Management</li>
 	<li>Head of People, Culture and DEI</li>
</ul>
Please Note: Due to the nature of this event, spots are extremely limited. Please RSVP as soon as possible, and <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/denis-sternberg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Denis Sternberg</a> will confirm whether space is available.

getAbstract Author Dinner Chicago: Culture Driving Performance in the AI Era

Talent Executives

dirk.tussing

chicago

meetup

in-person event

denis.sternberg

Digital

Strategy

learning technology tools

DEIB

networking

learning solutions

This session provided a hands-on look at how AI tools like Canva are reshaping the influence and agility of talent development teams—not just speeding up design, but elevating L&amp;D’s role as a strategic business partner.

<blockquote data-start="562" data-end="716">
“Something that used to take me 3–4 hours or a day, I can now do in Canva in half an hour.” -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/deepa-kartha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deepa Kartha</a>
</blockquote>
That’s not just time saved—it’s a shift in power. With the right AI tools, L&amp;D no longer waits in line behind Comms or Marketing. It steps up with its own voice, brand, and business-ready story.
Key takeaways for leaders:

<ul data-start="728" data-end="1593">
 	<li data-start="728" data-end="902">
Combine tools like ChatGPT + Canva for smarter, faster workflows.
</li>
 	<li data-start="903" data-end="1063">
Build data-backed narratives to answer: “Why now?” and “What’s the ROI?”
</li>
 	<li data-start="1064" data-end="1235">
Elevate L&amp;D’s brand inside your org through credible, consistent outputs.
</li>
 	<li data-start="1236" data-end="1409">
Experiment with purpose—teams testing AI today are shaping tomorrow’s strategy.
</li>
</ul>
For leaders, the opportunity is clear: combine AI tools smartly, craft data-backed narratives that win over stakeholders, and build an L&amp;D brand that signals innovation. Most critically, don’t wait. The teams experimenting now will be the ones shaping how AI raises—not replaces—their strategic relevance.
Practical actions you can take now: ✅ Audit where AI can remove internal bottlenecks. ✅ Develop L&amp;D “pitch decks” tackling executive objections. ✅ Create brand-aligned Canva templates for your team. ✅ Run an internal AI lab session to build fluency. ✅ Maintain a shared “AI lessons learned” playbook for your function.
For talent development leaders, this isn’t just about adopting tools—it’s about reshaping how L&amp;D shows up: faster, sharper, and positioned to drive the business, not just support it.


<hr />

Ready to experiment with us?
👉 Share your Canva AI creations in our Collaborative Folder → <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RGZt-1hSN4oaQdbn0Adph8NpSLSo19x_?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AI Practical Lab: Canva Creations</a>

✨ AI in Action: How Smart Talent Teams Use Canva to Boost Speed, Influence, and Strategic Learning

Integrated Talent Management

jason.davis

organizational agility

future of learning

ChatGPT

AI in Learning

rachel.kaberon

canva

talent-talk

ashley.davis

owen.burns

3Q2025

adam.walleser

michael.kern

L&amp;D leadership

AI Experimentation

kathleen.yang-clayton

roberto.seif

deepa.kartha

holly.r.pyatt

learning innovation

cathleen.cooke

business impact of L&amp;D

internal branding

agile L&amp;D

leadership influence

What does it really take to implement a global LMS in a complex, matrixed enterprise? According to <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/carlos-velazquez" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carlos Velazquez</a> (Caterpillar) and <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/anton-maletich" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anton Maletich</a> (Alter Domus), success isn’t just about adopting Workday Learning—it’s about redefining how organizations scale learning with security, data, and business accountability at the core.

<blockquote data-start="720" data-end="800">
“We’re moving from a compliance-based checklist to a data-powered, skill-focused ecosystem.” -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/carlos-velazquez" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carlos Velazquez</a>
</blockquote>
At Caterpillar, 120,000 employees across 18 languages complete 1.5 million learning activities annually. That kind of scale demands more than a system—it calls for a governance model with structured learning roles, regional ownership, and data that drives action.
Anton echoed the risks of unchecked decentralization: messy content, inconsistent quality, and potential compliance issues. His solution? Role-based permissions, curated admin training, and strict oversight balanced with business agility.
📊 Power BI dashboards built on Snowflake now guide smarter decisions—from content investments to campaign timing. 🔐 Security roles don’t just protect data—they shape culture, clarify accountability, and safeguard learning integrity. 🛠️ MVP thinking beats full-suite fantasies—start small, adapt fast, scale what works.
While Workday Learning is still maturing, both leaders believe its integration potential is worth the bet. The real differentiator? A cross-functional learning ecosystem where IT, HRIS, and L&amp;D co-own outcomes.
If your LMS strategy still revolves around completion rates, it’s time to rethink what learning success looks like in a skills-first world.
👉 Want to explore how others are navigating this transformation? Continue the conversation on ELE Idea Exchange—where forward-thinking talent leaders unpack what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next.

Transforming Workday: Practical Lessons from Enterprise Implementations

carlos.velazquez

cross-functional collaboration

learning analytics

skills-based learning

HR Technology

Data-Driven Learning

Learning Ecosystems

wise2025

Workday Learning

Enterprise LMS

Learning Governance

Role-Based Security

Global Learning

Session Focus: Utilizing Data to Transform Talent Development and Improve Employee Engagement

<div class="group/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn">
<div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3">
<div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow">
<div class="min-h- text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words :mt-5" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="06167a8a-0cf7-4e4b-ac90-418662019320">
<div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-">
<div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">
In today’s shifting workplace, it’s not enough to track learning activity—we need to turn insights into outcomes. In Learning and Development, data is no longer just a resource—it’s a roadmap for enhancing the employee experience and aligning talent strategy with business priorities. At our recent ELE peer discussion, we explored how leading organizations are embracing a data-driven strategy to personalize development, elevate the employee experience, and align learning with what the business truly needs.

<blockquote>"Our data-driven adaptive learning strategy helped us pinpoint what learners didn’t know—and deliver only what they needed." -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/yolanda-mangram" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yolanda Mangram</a></blockquote>
Whether you're using adaptive tech or building insights through 1:1 conversations, the message is clear: we’re no longer just tracking progress—we’re transforming how we develop and engage our people. Now is the time to interconnect data-driven strategies with talent development to drive business impact where it matters most.
These insights emerged as top priorities for HR and talent leaders looking to create impact through smarter data use:

<ol data-start="1239" data-end="1678">
 	<li class="" data-start="1239" data-end="1377">
Data is a strategic tool. Learning data should guide decisions—not just reflect them.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="1379" data-end="1527">
Personalized learning drives engagement. Targeted development increases relevance, confidence, and speed to proficiency.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="1529" data-end="1678">
Qualitative insights count. Listening systems like focus groups and 1:1s can surface what surveys miss—and drive culture.

<blockquote>"The dashboard made it easy to see where learners were struggling with unconscious incompetence—and where to focus coaching or redesign." -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/yolanda-mangram" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yolanda Mangram</a></blockquote>
<img class="aligncenter" src="https://wp.ele.llc/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ADAPTing-to-a-new-way-of-learning.jpg" alt="" width="769" height="432" /></li>
</ol>
🛠️ Three Actions to Bring This to Life

<ol data-start="1818" data-end="2225">
 	<li class="" data-start="1818" data-end="1960">
Use data to shape learning priorities. Connect learning to KPIs like mobility, retention, and performance.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="1962" data-end="2090">
Build listening into your strategy. Code feedback from real conversations to spot trends and blind spots early.
</li>
 	<li class="" data-start="2092" data-end="2225">
Connect learning efforts to business outcomes.
Make talent development part of strategic planning—not an isolated function.

<blockquote>"Listening became the data strategy." -- <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/ben-warner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben Warner</a></blockquote>
</li>
</ol>
The takeaway? A data-driven strategy only delivers value when it's connected to business goals. Now is the time to interconnect talent development with business impact—and position HR as a true driver of enterprise success.
How are you using data to elevate your talent strategy? -- Share your thoughts in the ELE <a href="https://www.ele.llc/idea-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Idea Exchange</a> and continue the conversation with fellow leaders.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Data-Driven Talent Development: Leading Indicator for Elevating Employee Experience

Analytics

employee engagement

marsha.love-morrow

employee experience

betty.hart

guillermo.gutierrez

organizational effectiveness

adaptive learning

matt.sernaker

yolanda.mangram

Reskilling and Upskilling

people analytics

brian.gold

HR leadership

HR strategies

Strategic HR

employee listening

organizational learning

team communication

innovation culture

teaming techniques

data driven HR

ben.warner

2Q2025

laura.sandera

workforce engagement

learning impact

performance enablement

ELE invites you to join Denis Sternberg and thought leaders at...
getAbstract Author Dinner
open from 6:15 - 8:00 p.m. at Wildfire, Schaumburg, IL
We're inviting a select group of Talent executives to an informal gathering with getAbstract. This cozy meetup is designed for just 15 leaders, providing a perfect setting for relaxed conversation and personal connection without the confines of a structured agenda.

This evening, <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/teri-hart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teri Hart</a> will host getAbstract’s invitation-only author dinner in Schaumburg, IL. At the dinner, she will explain Workplace Agility in the AI era to executives.

What to Expect:
<ul>
 	<li>Open Dialogue: Share your experiences, challenges, and insights in an open, welcoming environment.</li>
 	<li>Networking: Build meaningful relationships with peers who are equally passionate about advancing L&amp;D.</li>
</ul>
Why You Should Come:
<ul>
 	<li>Enjoy the rare chance to unwind and interact without the usual time pressures and formalities.</li>
 	<li>Gain insights in a setting that encourages free and open exchange of ideas.</li>
 	<li>Connect with getAbstract in a meaningful way.</li>
 	<li>Complimentary getAbstract is available on ELE's bookshelf:
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/bookshelf/lds-playbook-for-the-digital-age">Brandon's Abstract: L&amp;D’s Playbook for the Digital Age</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/bookshelf/hardwired-to-learn-leveraging-the-self-sustaining-power-of-lifelong-learning">Teri's Abstract: Hardwired to Learn: Leveraging the Self-Sustaining Power of Lifelong Learning</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend:
<ul>
 	<li>CHROs and Chief People Officer</li>
 	<li>Global Head of Talent Development</li>
 	<li>Director of Talent Management</li>
 	<li>Head of People, Culture and DEI</li>
</ul>
Please Note: Due to the nature of this event, spots are extremely limited. Please RSVP as soon as possible, and <a href="https://www.ele.llc/members/denis-sternberg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Denis Sternberg</a> will confirm whether space is available.

getAbstract Author Dinner Chicago: Workplace Agility in the  AI Era

rosie.mucklo

tim.kirkpatrick

Leadership

thomas.bergen

ELB Learning

We're inviting a select group of Learning and Development leaders to an informal gathering with ELB Learning in Chicagoland West. This cozy meetup is designed for just 4-6 leaders, providing a perfect setting for relaxed conversation and personal connection without the confines of a structured agenda.

What to Expect:
<ul>
 	<li>Open Dialogue: Share your experiences, challenges, and insights in an open, welcoming environment.</li>
 	<li>Networking: Build meaningful relationships with peers equally passionate about advancing L&amp;D.</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend:
<ul>
 	<li>L&amp;D Directors and Managers</li>
 	<li>Senior HR/Talent Professionals focused on forward-thinking learning solutions.</li>
</ul>
Why You Should Come:
<ul>
 	<li>Enjoy the rare chance to unwind and interact without the usual time pressures and formalities.</li>
 	<li>Gain insights in a setting that encourages free and open exchange of ideas.</li>
 	<li>Connect with ELB Learning in a meaningful way.</li>
</ul>
Please Note: Due to the nature of this event, spots are extremely limited. We request your RSVP as soon as possible, and Kevin Adams will confirm whether space is available.

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