Colt Alton

Hey! I'm Colt. By trade and training, I help develop people and organizations. Subscribe below to follow my thinking on building impactful learning experiences, learning technology and product development, and whatever else is on my mind. Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.
October 7, 2024

Leading Without a Title: How to Influence and Drive Results from Any Role

Picture this: You’ve been handed the responsibility of leading a team project, but there’s a catch—you don’t have the official title to back it up. No “Manager” in your job title, no formal authority to steer decisions, just the dreaded “e” word … an expectation to deliver. If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, you know it c...
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August 20, 2024

The Hidden Playbook of Leadership

Receiving the Harvard Business Review in the mail is exciting. It promises fresh insights, innovative ideas, and thought-provoking content that can shift our approach to work and leadership. But this month, there was an added layer of interest. The feature article was written by Tom Brady, one of the greatest individual players in foot...
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April 8, 2024

The Unexpected Power of Three Simple Words

Picture this: A client approaches with an urgent request for a training module. The typical learning designer's toolbox flings open, eager to dispense advice, solutions, programs, and justifications. But what if the most powerful tool at hand was simply to pause and probe deeper? Pause Before You Prescribe When we act before we underst...
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February 22, 2024

The Compounding Effect of Creativity on Learning

This is Part 2 of a 2 part series on learning in the flow of work. You can jump to Part 1 here. In a world of constant change, keeping up is no longer enough. Last week, in 'Learning in the Flow of Work,' I explored how embedding continuous learning into daily routines enhances skill acquisition, engagement, and productivity. Yet, this...
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February 10, 2024

Learning In The Flow of Work

This is Part 1 of a 2 part series on learning in the flow of work. You can jump to Part 2 here. Learning in the flow of work - if you work in learning and development, you've likely heard the phrase. Vendors, especially learning experience platforms, have used it as a predictive solution to enhance their position in the market. Consult...
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December 21, 2023

New Year, New Intentions: Rethinking Goal-Setting for Success

Have you ever set New Year's resolutions only to find it forgotten or derailed by February? I know I have. We often fall into the trap of creating ambitious strategies and detailed plans at the start of the year. Dr. Katy Milkman’s research on this topic introduced the “Fresh Start” as the allure of starting over each year with fresh n...
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November 17, 2023

The Bach Effect

“Summary: The Bach Effect reflects on the enduring legacy of our work and, like Bach’s music, can transcend time and continue to influence long after its inception. It emphasizes creating a legacy that resonates, inspires, and evolves. In the context of learning and development, this perspective highlights the potential of every projec...
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November 10, 2023

The Power of Clarity and the CLEAR Path Strategy

“Summary: The power of clarity can be transformative when building solutions. The necessity of clarity helps avoid misunderstandings caused by jargon. The CLEAR Path Strategy, comprising five steps - Clarify, Leave, Examine, Articulate, Refine - aids in simplifying complex problems and creating effective solutions. Discover how this mo...
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September 1, 2023

Mastering Organizational Change

Change is easy. If you've stopped reading at that sentence, I don't blame you. The truth is, change is anything but easy—especially when it comes to transforming large organizations. Yet, all too often, we overlook the critical role that change management plays in this complex process. “The stakes are high: get it wrong, and you risk f...
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August 14, 2023

The Headless LMS: A New Paradigm for Impactful Learning Experiences

The domain of Learning and Development (L&D) is in a state of constant flux, largely propelled by themes at big conferences and technological strides. One of those technology shifts that is picking up steam is the "headless LMS" – an intriguing development in this ever-changing landscape. Recently, when I mentioned to my wife that I wa...
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July 24, 2023

Embracing the AI Revolution: Why Understanding AI is Crucial for Tomorrow's Leaders

Open letter to upcoming or recent grads… Hey there, I can see you're standing at the edge of a dense fog, the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), feeling a bit apprehensive about stepping into the unknown. It's much like finding yourself at the edge of an unexplored forest, shrouded in thick mist, with only ominous headlines and sto...
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July 6, 2023

The Power of Learner-Centric Thinking

In the rapidly evolving landscape of organizational and employee development, creating impactful learning experiences is crucial. A key factor in achieving this is understanding and addressing the needs of learners. An approach that is gaining traction is 'Learner-Centric Thinking', a mindset that places the learner at the heart of lea...
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June 29, 2023

Harnessing the Power of X-Data and O-Data to Elevate Learning Experiences

Part 1 of this series explored how leveraging data insights can help L&D professionals create a more engaging and effective learning experience. In this post, we'll explore the role of X-data and O-data in the learning context and delve into the concept of correlation analysis to understand its application. Data-driven decision-making ...
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June 21, 2023

Transforming Learning Experience Data into Actionable Insights: Unleash the Power of Personalization

In the era of digital learning, understanding and utilizing learning experience data is crucial. This data, filled with insights about learners' interests, needs, and wants, can be employed to enhance the learning experience and improve educational outcomes. Imagine the impact of replicating highly personalized learning experiences, ak...
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March 25, 2023

Navigating Liminal Spaces

Are you going through a period of transition and change? Embrace it as an opportunity for growth and learning! Liminal spaces, those moments of uncertainty and discomfort, can be the perfect breeding ground for personal and professional development. By reflecting on your values, staying curious, and seeking out support, you can navigat...
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