Too often, L&D delivers learning solutions that fail to drive real behaviour change. But why does this happen, and how can we design interventions that truly make an impact? In this episode, learning design expert Julie Dirksen unpacks the science behind effective learning and what actually motivates people to apply what they’ve learned.

Julie explores the biggest reasons training fails, the role of attention and habit formation, and how L&D can move beyond information delivery to solving real performance challenges. She also shares strategies for diagnosing root causes, overcoming engagement barriers, and designing for complex skill development.

With practical insights and research-backed strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for L&D professionals looking to create learning that sticks—and that leaders take seriously as a driver of business success.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS
When people do not see the value in the action they do not do it.
If what you are asking for is not viable people won´t do it e.g. They can´t see their work clearly while wearing safety glasses.
Learning does not have to be short; it has to be relevant.
User testing learning before rollout is effective.
Teaching people how to examine and solve problems is powerful.
Create opportunities for feedback to reinforce learning.
AI can help you in ways humans can´t.
Break down why the behaviour is not happening.

BEST MOMENTS

“They know the right actions to take, yet it’s still not happening.”

“Sometimes people don't see the value in the action.”

“AI can pull out what is successful and then use that as a model.”

 

Julie Dirksen's Bio

Julie Dirksen is an expert in instructional design, learning science, and behaviour change. She is the author of Design For How People Learn and a sought-after consultant who helps organisations create learning experiences that drive real performance improvement. With a background in UX, game design, and cognitive psychology, Julie focuses on bridging the gap between what we teach and what people actually do. Through her work, she equips L&D professionals with the tools to design learning that truly sticks.

You can follow and contact Julie via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedirksen/

Blog: http://usablelearning.wordpress.com/

Website: https://usablelearning.com/

 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT THE HOST

David James 

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT METHOD 
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin
L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective
Blog: https://360learning.com/blog

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

Too often, L&amp;D delivers learning solutions that fail to drive real behaviour change. But why does this happen, and how can we design interventions that truly make an impact? In this episode, learning design expert Julie Dirksen unpacks the science behind effective learning and what actually motivates people to apply what they&rsquo;ve learned.
Julie explores the biggest reasons training fails, the role of attention and habit formation, and how L&amp;D can move beyond information delivery to solving real performance challenges. She also shares strategies for diagnosing root causes, overcoming engagement barriers, and designing for complex skill development.
With practical insights and research-backed strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for L&amp;D professionals looking to create learning that sticks&mdash;and that leaders take seriously as a driver of business success.
Take your L&amp;D to the next level
Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&amp;D leadership.
It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&amp;D. Access the L&amp;D Maturity Model here -&nbsp;<a href="https://360learning.com/maturity-model">https://360learning.com/maturity-model</a>
&nbsp;
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">When people do not see the value in the action they do not do it.</li>
<li aria-level="1">If what you are asking for is not viable people won&acute;t do it e.g. They can&acute;t see their work clearly while wearing safety glasses.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Learning does not have to be short; it has to be relevant.</li>
<li aria-level="1">User testing learning before rollout is effective.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Teaching people how to examine and solve problems is powerful.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Create opportunities for feedback to reinforce learning.</li>
<li aria-level="1">AI can help you in ways humans can&acute;t.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Break down why the behaviour is not happening.</li>
</ul>
BEST MOMENTS
&ldquo;They know the right actions to take, yet it&rsquo;s still not happening.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Sometimes people don't see the value in the action.&rdquo;
&ldquo;AI can pull out what is successful and then use that as a model.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Julie Dirksen's Bio
Julie Dirksen is an expert in instructional design, learning science, and behaviour change. She is the author of Design For How People Learn and a sought-after consultant who helps organisations create learning experiences that drive real performance improvement. With a background in UX, game design, and cognitive psychology, Julie focuses on bridging the gap between what we teach and what people actually do. Through her work, she equips L&amp;D professionals with the tools to design learning that truly sticks.
You can follow and contact Julie via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedirksen/
Blog: http://usablelearning.wordpress.com/
Website: https://usablelearning.com/
&nbsp;
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Learning And Development Podcast - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523">https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523</a>
L&amp;D Master Class Series: <a href="https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home">https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home</a>
ABOUT THE HOST
David James&nbsp;
David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning &amp; OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East &amp; Africa.&nbsp;
As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&amp;D.&nbsp;
CONTACT METHOD&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/davidinlearning"> https://twitter.com/davidinlearning</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin">https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">L&amp;D Collective:&nbsp;<a href="https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective">https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Blog: <a href="https://360learning.com/blog">https://360learning.com/blog</a></li>
</ul>
L&amp;D Master Class Series: <a href="https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home">https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home</a>

The Learning & Development Podcast is a fortnightly topical podcast show for L&D professionals hosted by David James and presented by 360Learning.

In each episode David James discusses and debates topics affecting the profession alongside expert guests.  David is the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and a highly respected voice in the Learning & Development industry. With a focus on harnessing technology to drive impactful learning strategies, David is recognised as one of the top 10 global influencers in the L&D space. His expertise lies in helping organisations modernise their approach to workplace learning, ensuring measurable results and business alignment.

The Learning & Development Podcast has amassed over 500,000 downloads and ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally. With nearly 30,000 LinkedIn followers, David continues to shape the conversation around L&D innovation and best practices, drawing on his deep experience, including his time as Director of Learning, Talent & Organisational Development at The Walt Disney Company.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/ Website: https://www.360learning.com/

The Learning &amp; Development Podcast is a fortnightly topical podcast show for L&amp;D professionals hosted by David James and presented by <a href="https://360learning.com/">360Learning</a>.
In each episode David James discusses and debates topics affecting the profession alongside expert guests.&nbsp; David is the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and a highly respected voice in the Learning &amp; Development industry. With a focus on harnessing technology to drive impactful learning strategies, David is recognised as one of the top 10 global influencers in the L&amp;D space. His expertise lies in helping organisations modernise their approach to workplace learning, ensuring measurable results and business alignment.
The Learning &amp; Development Podcast has amassed over 500,000 downloads and ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally. With nearly 30,000 LinkedIn followers, David continues to shape the conversation around L&amp;D innovation and best practices, drawing on his deep experience, including his time as Director of Learning, Talent &amp; Organisational Development at The Walt Disney Company.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/ Website: https://www.360learning.com/

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