Building Learning People Actually Use

The real opportunity for L&D is not using more AI. It is building learning that solves the right business problems.

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan McCrea, Founder and Principal Consultant at Luci Leadership Consulting LLC, to explore why L&D needs to adopt a product mindset. Ryan draws on decades of experience leading learning and organisational development teams to make the case that the best learning solutions start with understanding the customer, testing assumptions, and solving real performance challenges rather than producing more content.

We explore why agile thinking belongs in L&D, where AI genuinely adds value, and why the future of learning depends on spending less time building courses and more time working alongside the business. Ryan also explains why the biggest risk is not moving too slowly with AI, but using it to solve the wrong problems faster.

Some curious takeaways:

• Build learning around business problems instead of chasing the latest technology
• Treat every learning initiative like a product by testing, iterating and learning from feedback
• Use AI to elevate judgement and free up time for consulting, coaching and performance improvement

Episode highlights:

(00:00) Welcome to Harald’s Curious Corner

(01:19) Why AI is dominating the L&D conversation

(04:43) Why strategy matters more than shiny AI tools

(05:52) The AI skill that matters most is discernment

(11:36) Do L&D teams have an AI problem or an operating model problem?

(17:28) Why L&D needs a product mindset

(19:48) Why perfection is the enemy of great learning

(24:17) Building learning like a product

(28:15) Why great learning programmes still fail

(37:57) Human plus machine future
(39:47) Skills for future L&D

(44:33) The future of learning is human and AI together

Connect with the guest:

Ryan McCrea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmccrea/

Learn more about Ryan and his first book Quick Bites of Insight at: https://www.quickbitesofinsight.com/

Follow me on the following sites:

Harald Overaa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haraldovera/

Subscribe to Harald’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6901795950403186688/