Learning Leaders Digest #115

Here's what's interesting this week.

Jul 27, 2026

Welcome back, Learning Leaders.

One of the things I have always appreciated about the training profession is how generous good trainers tend to be with what they learn.

Someone discovers a better way to debrief an activity, and they pass it along. Someone finds a useful book, a strong question, or a practical tool, and they send it to a colleague. Over time, those small exchanges make all of us better.

That is really how Lessons from Learning Leaders has grown. Not through a large advertising campaign or a complicated marketing strategy, but because readers have forwarded an article, shared a podcast episode, or told another trainer, “You might find this useful.”

I do not expect every issue to be useful to every reader. We all work with different audiences, organizations, and challenges. But when something here helps you solve a problem, improve a session, or think differently about your work, there is a good chance someone else in your network could benefit from it too.

This week, I am asking you to think of one trainer, facilitator, communicator, or leader who would find this newsletter useful and send it to them.

Do not worry about promoting me. Share it because you believe the idea could help them.

The best professional communities are built when people stop keeping useful ideas to themselves. They pass along what works, introduce people to good resources, and help others avoid mistakes they have already made.

That is the kind of community I want Lessons from Learning Leaders to become.

This week’s Digest includes the latest longform article, a new podcast conversation, practical training ideas, and a few useful resources from around the profession. As you read, keep one person in mind.

When you find something that would help them, send it their way.

This Week’s Call to Action

Share this issue with one trainer, facilitator, communicator, or leader who would find it useful. A personal recommendation is still the best way for this community to grow.

What I’m Reading

I’m reading Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard by Bo Seo. One of the ideas that stands out is that good debate depends on understanding the other person’s position well enough to respond to what they actually mean.

That applies directly to training. Good facilitators listen for the thinking behind an answer, help participants examine their assumptions, and make room for disagreement without letting the conversation fall apart. A trainer who can guide that kind of discussion helps people do more than hear information. They help them think better.