From Stage to Strategy: Michael Strawbridge on Confidence, Curiosity and Community in L&D

Episode notes

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E8: In this engaging episode, Valerie and Julia are joined by Michael Strawbridge, Global Head of Community at the Learning and Performance Institute, whose unique journey from professional actor to L&D leader offers rich insights into confidence, connection and the power of asking questions. Michael shares how his stage training continues to shape his approach to public speaking, virtual engagement and leadership presence. He reflects on the transferable skills that have allowed him to build trust with global audiences, and how he uses curiosity as a compass in both community-building and learning design. From hosting high-impact webinars to shaping global conversations, Michael reveals what makes a professional community thrive and why meaningful exchange, not job titles, builds lasting partnerships. We also explore current L&D challenges, including AI, impact measurement and leadership development, and why some conversations still haven’t moved on. A thought-provoking conversation for anyone working through the evolving learning landscape.

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