Harald’s Curious Corner

The biggest opportunity for L&D isn’t AI. It’s earning a seat at the right conversations.

L&D has spent years being asked to build training. That expectation is changing. As AI reshapes the way organisations work, learning teams have a chance to become trusted advisers who solve business problems before they become learning requests.

In this special panel episode, I’m joined by Sam Marney, People Development Lead at People’s Partnership, Tiffany Bayliss, Founder and Lead Learning Designer at Lawyerly, and Chantelle Hodson, Lead Learning Consultant at Bloom Creative Learning. Together, we consider how AI is changing expectations of L&D, why understanding the business matters more than creating more content, and what separates teams that create real impact from those that simply respond to requests.

One theme kept coming back throughout the conversation. The future belongs to learning teams that stay close to people, stay curious, and never lose sight of the problem they’re trying to solve.

Some curious takeaways:
  • Why AI should help L&D solve business problems rather than produce more content
  • What it takes for learning teams to move from order takers to trusted strategic partners
  • How managers, relationships and business understanding shape whether learning has an impact
  • Why curiosity, confidence and human judgement will matter as L&D continues to change

Episode highlights:
(00:00) Welcome to Harald’s Curious Corner
(01:21) Why Join 30 under 30?
(03:50) Imposter syndrome and standout cohort moments
(06:27) Confidence and the power of community
(08:26) Advice for future cohort applicants
(10:39) AI giving L&D a stronger strategic voice
(16:55) Are we actually closing skills gaps?
(19:32) How AI is reshaping expectations of L&D teams
(20:16) Quality over quantity: why faster isn't always better learning
(26:24) The overlooked role of managers in learning success
(38:00) What distinguishes truly impactful L&D teams
(40:38) Final reflections on the future of L&D

Connect with the guests:
Sam Marney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-marney/
Explore People's Partnership: https://peoplespartnership.co.uk/ 
Tiffany Bayliss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-bayliss/ 
Explore Lawyerly Learning: https://www.lawyerly.es/ 
Chantelle Hodson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantelle-hodson-861b6b142/ 
Explore Bloom Creative Learning: https://bloomcreativelearning.com/ 
Zac Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacbr/ 
Explore HSBC: https://www.hsbc.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/

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.