From Experts to Navigators: Rethinking L&D Leadership

What does leadership in learning really look like when the ground beneath us keeps shifting? In this episode of Learning at Large, we’re joined by Laura Overton and Michelle Ockers, co-authors of The L&D Leader: Principles and Practice for Delivering Business Value.

Instead of offering another rigid playbook, Laura and Michelle share how L&D leaders can thrive in uncertainty by stepping away from being the “expert with answers” and instead becoming navigators – curious, courageous, and tuned in to their environment.

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Top tips for rethinking L&D leadership

Don’t have time to listen now? Here’s a quick summary of what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Let go of content as the default – Content and courses can’t keep pace. Start with the problem and outcome, not a course.
• Adopt a navigator mindset – Leadership today is about curiosity, guidance, and scanning the horizon, not having all the answers.
• Watch out for blind spots – Acting as “the expert” creates limits. Replace certainty with curiosity.
• Embrace the ‘TRI’ principles – Tune in, Respond, Improve. Lead change with agility and evidence.
• Lead with boldness – Balance courage with discipline. Be smart bold, not reckless bold.

1. Let go of content as the default

Laura and Michelle explain that L&D can no longer rely on content and courses as the automatic solution to every problem. The pace of change means people need support that’s faster, more contextual, and more directly tied to business outcomes. Instead of clinging to the comfort of courses, leaders must start by asking: What problem are we solving? What outcome do we need? Only then can they design the right intervention – whether that’s learning, resources, or something else entirely.

“We can’t keep pace anymore. So clinging onto content and courses when real learning happens in so many other ways… that no longer serves us well.”

2. Adopt a navigator mindset

Laura and Michelle describe today’s learning landscape as more like an open ocean than a mapped road. In that environment, leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers in advance, but about being curious, scanning the horizon, and guiding others through uncertainty. By embracing the mindset of a navigator, L&D leaders can better spot opportunities, adjust to new currents, and build confidence even when the destination isn’t fixed.

“It’s less that we’re on a road. It’s almost like we are in the middle of an ocean and everywhere we look is just horizon.”

3. Watch out for blind spots

Experience and expertise are strengths, but they can also hold leaders back. Laura and Michelle point out that when L&D feels pressured to act as “the expert,” they often default to quick solutions instead of deeper exploration. This creates blind spots that limit innovation and reduce impact. The shift is to replace certainty with curiosity – engaging stakeholders, asking better questions, and staying open to new ways of working that might challenge the old playbook.

“It’s often our own thinking habits that get in our way – particularly feeling like we have to show up as the expert and provide answers and solutions.”

4. Embrace the ‘TRI’ principles

Laura and Michelle’s ‘TRI’ framework – Tune in, Respond, Improve – offers a practical way to lead with agility. Tuning in means actively listening to the business and the people within it. Responding means acting with professionalism, empathy, and a readiness to experiment. Improving is about iterating based on feedback and evidence. By moving through this cycle, leaders can make progress in complex environments without waiting for perfect certainty or a detailed roadmap.

“You can’t make change happen unless you’re part of what’s going on there. That’s why tuning in to the business, the people, and the culture is so vital.”

5. Lead with boldness

Bold leadership doesn’t mean charging ahead recklessly – it’s about making smart, deliberate choices in uncertain conditions. Laura and Michelle describe “smart bold” as balancing courage with evidence, and openness with discipline. It’s about having the confidence to try new approaches while staying grounded in data and business needs. This kind of leadership gives teams a sense of direction and energy, even when the path forward isn’t fully clear.

“It’s like an inner compass. Not just business first, but open-minded, deliberate, and willing to let go. That’s smart bold leadership.”

About Laura & Michelle

Laura is an international speaker and co-creator of Emerging Stronger alongside Michelle, with a career devoted to driving learning innovation and impact. Michelle is Chief Learning Strategist and podcast host at Learning Uncut. Together, they empower L&D professionals to reframe challenges, embrace complexity, and lead with curiosity and boldness.

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn.

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.

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