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
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What is Harald’s Curious Corner?
Harald’s Curious Corner is where curiosity meets connection.
Harald chases that question with a guest, gathers perspectives from voices across the industry, and then steps back to reflect on what it all means. The show unfolds like a story arc, part exploration, part roundtable, part reflection, blending imagination with analysis.
The result: trusted insights, meaningful conversations, and forward-looking takeaways that shine a light on where learning is headed next.