31: They Don’t Want Training—They Want Results | Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD

Too often, learning and development leaders miss their shot at true organizational impact by talking about learning metrics instead of what really matters to the business. In this eye-opening solo episode, Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, shares hard-won lessons and strategies for translating L&D concepts into the language that gets executive buy-in—business outcomes, impact, and performance. You’ll hear why simply asking for “a seat at the table” is a losing strategy, and how flipping the script from learning objectives to business metrics can transform L&D from a cost center into a performance engine. Packed with real stories, practical re-frames, specific vocabulary swaps, and a memorable lesson about “not what your program is, but what it makes possible,” this is a must-listen for anyone looking to spark real change through people development.

Whether you’re pitching a new initiative, reporting results, or simply trying to shift perceptions, this episode reveals code-cracking moves that elevate L&D’s role—and help every leader connect learning to results that matter.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The #1 mistake learning leaders make when pitching to executives—and how to avoid it
• How to shift your vocabulary from “learning objectives” to “business outcomes” for maximum impact
• The practical difference between “evaluation” and “enablement” in executive conversations
• Why empathy, context, and clarity are your secret weapons in earning buy-in
• A real example of pitching a program that missed the mark—and how business-first language unlocks action
• How to reframe L&D as a lever for retention, productivity, and risk—not just a cost center

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Learn-It-All™ Podcast and the Learnit Lounge

00:42 – Why “getting a seat at the table” starts with business value

01:13 – The trap of learning metrics and missing business language

01:51 – Vocabulary flips: From objectives to outcomes, engagement to performance

02:34 – How to prep for stakeholder meetings: What keeps them up at night?

03:01 – Ash Panjwani’s business-context communication advice

03:19 – Keith Ferrazzi and the engineering mindset for collaboration

03:46 – Real story: Pitching a program that fell short with executives

04:22 – The CFO’s pivotal question: “How does this reduce attrition?”

04:33 – What leaders want: Not your program, but its possibilities

04:51 – Mickey’s new approach: Lead with retention, ramp time, and productivity

05:08 – Speaking business: Empathy over MBA, translating to their metrics

05:25 – Framing solutions as business problems for executive buy-in

05:41 – Closing thoughts—L&D as a performance driver

05:50 – Connect, subscribe, and join the conversation on Learnit Lounge

About Mickey Fitch-Collins

Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD helps people lead like humans first. As a Human Skills Facilitator at Learnit, she designs and leads workshops that turn everyday challenges—like feedback, burnout, and prioritization—into practical, people-centered skills. Her workshops are equal parts research, real talk, and humor, creating learning experiences that actually stick.

Before joining Learnit, Mickey spent two decades in higher education leadership, where she coached and supervised hundreds of professionals through growth, change, and conflict while helping students graduate. That experience fuels her belief that strong leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about building trust, curiosity, and connection.

Whether she’s facilitating a workshop, hosting the Learnit Lounge podcast, leading a panel, or sharing insights on LinkedIn, her goal stays the same: make professional development feel less like a checkbox and more like a conversation worth having.

Resources & Mentions

• Learnit: https://www.learnit.com
• Connect with Mickey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyfitchcollins/
• Keith Ferrazzi’s website

Podcast Contact Information:

Website: www.learnit.com

Email: podcast@learnit.com

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