Workplace Stories by RedThread Research Podcast By Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson cover art

Workplace Stories by RedThread Research

Workplace Stories by RedThread Research

By: Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson
Listen for free

About this listen

 At RedThread, we love data—but we know stories are what stick. That’s why we bring together thinkers, writers, leaders, and practitioners to share real-world insights about what works in the workplace, what they’ve learned, and where the future of work is headed. We keep it insightful, thought-provoking, and maybe even a little irreverent.

But we don’t stop at conversations. Our research, events, and community turn insights into action, helping organizations and individuals navigate the changing world of work.

Want to be part of the conversation? Join our community for free and connect with others shaping the future of work.

Learn more about RedThread Research here: https://redthreadresearch.com/homeRedThread Research 2024 Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Beyond Training: How to Prove L&D Isn’t Just Overhead: Dr. Keith Keating

    Beyond Training: How to Prove L&D Isn’t Just Overhead: Dr. Keith Keating
    Jul 2 2025
    Many organizations see learning and development (L&D) as a cost center rather than a strategic driver of value, but what if that mindset is costing them far more than they realize?

    In this episode, Dr. Keith Keating explains why we’re moving from a “knowledge economy” to a “value economy,” where it’s not what we know but what we do with it that matters.

    He shares practical ways for L&D teams to make their impact visible, bridging the disconnect with CFOs and earning a seat at the strategy table. Through his own journey from high-school dropout to Chief Learning Officer, Keith challenges learning leaders to see themselves as problem-solvers and value creators.

    He offers frameworks like the Value Creation Compass to help map L&D’s role in business growth, resilience, and customer value, showing that when L&D stays hidden, organizations lose far more than training budgets: they lose adaptability and talent.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • (00:00) Intro.
    • (00:22) Keith’s background and why his book matters.
    • (04:58) The shift to a value economy for L&D.
    • (08:50) Keith’s personal journey from dropout to leader.
    • (15:10) Economic, personal, and societal value explained.
    • (19:30) Four key disconnects between L&D and CFOs.
    • (25:40) The Value Creation Compass model.
    • (39:20) Risks if L&D’s value stays hidden.

    Resources & People Mentioned

    • https://www.bdo.ca/en-ca/
    • Hidden Value by Dr. Keith Keating

    Connect with Dr. Keith Keating

    • Connect with Dr. Keith Keating on LinkedIn


    Connect With Red Thread Research

    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • Stop Guessing: How J&J Gets Precise About Skills w/ Bas Debbink

    Stop Guessing: How J&J Gets Precise About Skills w/ Bas Debbink
    Jun 11 2025
    Most organizations claim to care about employee development, but upon closer examination, their approach to skills is often vague, subjective, or downright confusing. They might assume people will simply "figure it out" on the job or resort to one-size-fits-all training. If you've ever wondered why your learning investments don’t seem to translate into impact, it might be because you’re still guessing when it comes to skills.

    Today, you’ll hear how Johnson & Johnson’s tech organization stopped playing the guessing game. With clear processes to identify, assess, and verify skills, both digital and power skills, they’re not just hoping development happens; they’re engineering it. You'll learn how they use both talent leader insight and AI-driven inference to build a skills-based ecosystem that actually works, without overwhelming employees or managers.

    By the end of the conversation, it’s clear this isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about building a practical, scalable system that aligns employee growth with business needs and helps people know, with confidence, exactly what’s next in their development journey.

    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

    • (00:00) Intro.
    • (02:32) Bas’s career path and transition into L&D.
    • (05:08) Structure and priorities of J&J’s tech learning organization.
    • (09:00) How J&J defines, identifies, and verifies critical skills.
    • (17:34) Messaging, buy-in, and the cultural side of skill building.
    • (23:47) How AI and tech are reshaping development and learning systems.

    Resources & People Mentioned

    • https://fortune.com
    • https://degreed.com

    Connect with Bas Debbink

    • Connect with Bas Debbink on LinkedIn

    Connect With Red Thread Research

    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • Leadership as a System, Not a Trait, with Cher Murphy

    Leadership as a System, Not a Trait, with Cher Murphy
    Jun 4 2025
    In this episode of Workplace Stories, Dani Johnson talks with Cher Murphy, Partner, Head of People+Talent Practice at ON Partner, founder of The Murphy Advisory, and faculty member at Pepperdine and the University of Michigan. Drawing from her deep experience in executive coaching and leadership development, Cher shares how leadership is evolving in response to rapid technological, political, and organizational change. She emphasizes that while AI and data can enhance decision-making, human traits like discernment, empathy, and the ability to communicate clearly remain irreplaceable. Leaders today must move from a mindset of control to one of clarity, especially as strategic planning windows shorten and collaboration across functions becomes essential.

    Cher also reflects on the erosion of trust in organizations and how leaders can rebuild it through transparency, consistency, and shared logic. She introduces the concept of leadership as a system—not just a set of traits—which, when embedded across all levels of an organization, can outlast any one individual. The conversation touches on the future of leadership development, the convergence of people functions, and how leaders can balance data and intuition to make better decisions. Ultimately, Cher makes a compelling case that strong leadership is still—at its core—a deeply human endeavor.
    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
    • (00:00) — Intro & Cher’s background
    • (04:00) — Leadership mindsets, speed, and trust
    • (12:00) — Rebuilding trust & communication challenges
    • (20:00) — Structural shifts and cross-functional collaboration
    • (26:00) — AI’s role, human skills, and decision-making
    • (32:00) — Universal leadership traits & leadership as a system
    • (39:00) — Succession, culture fit, and final reflections on meaning


    Resources & People Mentioned

    • https://www.onpartners.com
    • https://www.jeffwetzler.com

    Connect with Cher Murphy

    • Connect with Cher Murphy on LinkedIn


    Connect With Red Thread Research

    • Website: Red Thread Research
    • On LinkedIn
    • On Facebook
    • On Twitter

    Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
No reviews yet