34: From Learning to Doing: The Shift Leaders Need Now | Jordana Cole

The future of learning and development is already here—and it’s about so much more than basic content delivery. In this dynamic episode of The Learnit Lounge, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, is joined by leadership futurist and ShiftWell AI co-founder Jordana Cole for a candid conversation on what it actually takes to move from “learning” to “doing” inside organizations. Together, they bust persistent myths about L&D, reveal why so many programs fail to drive actual behavior change, and explore how learning leaders can become true business partners. Packed with frameworks, real-life stories, and actionable strategies, this episode is your playbook for making learning stick and fueling sustainable growth.

Whether you’re ready to drop learning objectives for session goals, want tips on bridging cross-functional silos, or need new ways to measure the real ROI of your work, this is the episode for you. Expect plenty of “hot takes,” practical tools, and inspiration to shift your L&D mindset.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How to move from a “learning” to a “doing” paradigm in L&D – and why most programs miss the mark on behavior change.
2. The biggest red flags that signal when learning won’t stick—and how to fix them with practice and true relevance.
3. Why L&D leaders must act as product owners and strategic business partners (plus, how to get into ALL the right conversations).
4. A 4-question framework to transform your program design and ensure learning meets real business outcomes.
5. The power of cross-functional cohorts, and how to drive shared accountability for learning, growth, and culture change.
6. Measures that matter: going beyond smile sheets to track real shifts in behavior, stories, and business impact.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet your host and today’s guest, Jordana Cole

01:41 – Shifting from training delivery to behavior change

04:07 – The “doing paradigm” explained: why knowledge isn’t enough

05:19 – How ShiftWell got its name—and the story behind it

06:10 – Why L&D programs fail to create real change

08:29 – Four essential questions to guide effective program design

09:35 – Red flags that learning won’t stick (and how to spot them)

10:57 – Why practice is non-negotiable for behavior change

13:33 – Moving L&D from order taker to business partner

14:03 – How to get a seat at the strategic table

18:15 – Building shared ownership and accountability for learning

19:45 – Using cohorts to break silos and drive alignment

23:42 – The right metrics: what to measure beyond satisfaction

27:12 – A real-world example of designing for frontline teams

31:04 – The irreplaceable value of stories and qualitative data

32:08 – Jordana’s biggest leadership lesson—and what she’s learned about influence

34:02 – The uncomfortable truth about “leadership development”

36:38 – How to connect with Jordana and learn more

About Jordana Cole

Jordana Cole, PCC, is the co-founder and Chief Product & Research Officer at ShiftWell AI, a platform blending applied positive psychology, behavior change, and AI to help every employee reach their absolute best. With more than a decade leading L&D and talent programs across nonprofits and Fortune 50 companies, Jordana’s superpower is bridging human potential research and real-world strategy. She is globally recognized as a consultant, coach, and TEDx speaker, featured on countless webinars, podcasts, and articles at the intersection of well-being, leadership, and organizational results.

Resources & Mentions:

1. ShiftWell AI website
2. Jordana Cole on LinkedIn
3. Learnit: https://www.learnit.com
4. Connect with Mickey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyfitchcollins/

Podcast Contact Information:

Website: www.learnit.com

Email: podcast@learnit.com

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