This is what a broken L&D system sounds like — and Dan Hill has lived through it all.

Vocational training is broken in subtle but powerful ways — and Dan Hill has spent the last two decades trying to fix it. In this episode, he reveals the messy reality of what happens when training goes wrong, the traits that define a world-class trainer, and the difference between learning outcomes that stick versus those that evaporate.

From teaching in the military to co-authoring a bestselling textbook used by over 50,000 students, Dan brings a unique blend of rigor and real-world relevance. Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of how to design impactful L&D programs, the role of personal accountability in growth, and the future of individualized learning in a digital-first world.

Key Takeaways

1. Coding left me behind, and I learned it’s okay to drop what no longer aligns with my path.
2. Great training starts with the trainer — not tech, not curriculum, but presence and preparation.
3. You can’t teach resilience with handouts; learners need grit, not entitlement.

4. 
   

Timestamps

• [00:00] The harsh truth about entitlement in the workplace
• [00:38] Dan’s career journey from Air Force to L&D
• [01:50] Why quality trainers matter more than tech
• [02:50] The future of training: personalization and AI
• [04:00] The skill Dan regrets not mastering — and why
• [05:00] The proudest moment: publishing a training bestseller
• [06:11] The nightmare training session Dan can’t forget
• [08:00] A shocking story about a student walking out forever
• [09:50] Sitting next to Bryce Courtenay on a pirate ship
• [11:09] The advice Dan wants every future hire to hear

• 
  

Links

• Dan Hill on Linkedin
• Institute for Learning & Performance Asia Pacific
• SpecTraining
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website