Hope Isn’t a Plan: Building a Progressive L&D Strategy with Dani Johnson

Traditional L&D strategies rely too much on hope. Hope that training will stick, hope that stakeholders will engage, and hope that impact will follow. But as Dani Johnson of RedThread Research explains in this episode, hope isn’t a plan.

Drawing on insights from the latest report, Dani outlines why L&D’s influence in strategic business discussions is declining - and what leaders must do to reverse the trend. She breaks down the five essential elements of a progressive L&D strategy, from organisational alignment and stakeholder engagement to tech, data, and operational discipline.

Dani also explores the tension between consistency and adaptability, how to move beyond training requests to real business conversations, and why outdated approaches to learning persist despite their lack of impact.

For L&D professionals ready to move from reactive to strategic, this episode offers a clear, research-backed blueprint for building a modern, credible, and business-aligned L&D function.

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

• Hope is not a strategy – intentionality is essential. 
• Don´t just drift, create a business need driven strategy, follow it and measure progress.
• Dani´s study shows that L&D is increasingly losing strategic influence.
• L&D needs to shift from being order-takers to being business partners.
• Get out from behind your desk.
• Use the same language as stakeholders. 
• L&D needs to provide stability but also be flexible enough to quickly meet emerging needs.
• Tech and data are strategic levers, not just tools. Buy the right tech.

BEST MOMENTS

"What has gotten us here is not going to get us into the future."

"Be intentional about making that strategy and then delivering on that strategy."

"It is time to quit looking at old models and traditional ways of doing things."

"We are here for a planned, demonstrable impact."

"Two big things are driving this integration of technology and data: the first is skills... the second is AI."

Dani Johnson Bio

Dani is Co-founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research, where she explores the intersection of people, practices, and technology. 

Prior to RedThread, Dani led the Learning and Career research practice at Bersin, Deloitte. Her work has appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal, CLO Magazine, Employment Relations and HR Magazine. 

Dani holds an MBA and dual degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University. 

RedThread is known for its bold, unbiased research on topics like DEIB, learning, performance, and people analytics—helping leaders rethink how work gets done.

You can follow or contact Dani at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-johnson/

Direct link to infographic: https://members.redthreadresearch.com/posts/infographic-the-building-blocks-of-a-future-ready-ld-strategy (free membership required)

- Membership Link: https://redthreadresearch.com/pricing

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

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/