Al Dea is a speaker, entrepreneur, consultant, and podcast host. He advises leaders across industries to help them understand how the workplace is changing, and the implications for leading and growing people and organizations.

Drawing on his work advising the next generation of managers and leaders across diverse companies and industries ranging from Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations and emerging startups, Al speaks on topics around talent, culture, and leadership to inspire audiences to sense and respond to market changes and lead in more effective and people-first ways.

Al’s mission is to create a better world of work by working with leaders to create human-centric workplaces that unleash the potential and performance of their people.

Developing your people isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a crucial part of leadership that often gets sidelined. In this episode, we dive deep into the reality that while leaders might say their team members own their own development, the truth is, they often need support to truly thrive. Al joins me to chat about how many successful folks credit their achievements to the help they received along the way, and how leaders can create the right conditions for growth instead of just piling on more tasks. We also explore how the pressures of daily operations can make developing talent feel like an afterthought, even for well-meaning leaders. So grab your headphones and get ready for some insightful banter on how to prioritize people development without losing your mind in the process!

When we think about leadership, it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day grind, right? Well, today’s dialogue with Al shines a light on the often-overlooked art of developing talent. Al starts by painting a stark picture: leaders are often given more responsibilities without the necessary support to prioritize people development. He brings to life the struggles of first-time leaders who might not even realize that fostering their team's growth is part of the gig. The discussion is rich with anecdotes and practical tips, from the importance of having regular career conversations to the necessity of creating an environment where team members feel safe to express their aspirations and challenges. Al stresses that while it might feel easier in the moment for leaders to handle tasks themselves, this short-term thinking can lead to long-term headaches. By investing time in developing others, leaders not only enhance their teams' capabilities but also free themselves up to tackle more strategic initiatives. This episode is a goldmine for anyone looking to elevate their leadership skills and create a thriving team culture.

Takeaways:

• Leaders need to own the development of their people, but they often forget this amidst their busy schedules.
• Success in organizations is rarely achieved solo; most successful individuals credit support from mentors and peers.
• Developing talent is not just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for long-term organizational success and sustainability.
• Leaders should regularly audit how they spend their time to prioritize people development amidst their many responsibilities.
• Investing time in developing others can lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness in the future, creating a win-win situation.
• Creating an environment where employees feel supported in their growth can significantly enhance overall team performance.

Links for today's episode:

• Al's Website
• Al's Linked-In Page
• Kent's Linked In Page

Corey Criswell is the Chief Leadership Officer at Adeption. She brings 25+ years of experience in the field of adult development honed by consulting with companies around the globe and in a $100B, Fortune 30 company. Today we're talking about harnessing AI for Leadership Development.

Change is the predominant theme of today's discourse, as we delve into the intricate dynamics of leadership amidst a rapidly evolving landscape influenced by technological advancements such as artificial intelligence. I have the distinct pleasure of engaging with Corey Criswell, an esteemed expert in leadership development whose insights are particularly pertinent for leaders navigating these unprecedented transitions. In our conversation, we explore the multifaceted nature of change, emphasizing the necessity for leaders to distinguish between technical challenges and adaptive challenges, a distinction that is critical for effective problem-solving. Corey shares her extensive experience, spanning various organizations, and sheds light on how we can better prepare leaders to embrace and drive change. Join us as we uncover strategies that empower leaders to step up their game in an era characterized by continuous transformation.

In our exploration of leadership development, we underscore the necessity for leaders to cultivate a robust framework, one that allows for self-reflection and a commitment to continuous improvement. The discussion highlights the significance of the adaptive leadership model introduced by Ron Heifetz and how it equips leaders with the tools to differentiate between technical challenges, which have clear solutions, and adaptive challenges that require innovative thinking and collaboration. Criswell emphasizes that the ability to engage stakeholders in meaningful dialogue is crucial for deriving actionable insights, thereby fostering a culture of shared responsibility and innovation within organizations. This nuanced understanding of leadership dynamics is imperative for leaders aspiring to thrive in an environment characterized by relentless change and complexity.

Takeaways:

• Embracing the unprecedented pace of change requires adaptive leadership strategies that involve collaboration among stakeholders.
• Leaders frequently misdiagnose adaptive challenges as technical challenges, which can hinder effective problem-solving.
• The integration of AI and technology into leadership development is essential for scaling effective learning experiences.
• Reflection on behavioral experiments can significantly enhance leadership performance by up to 23%.
• Blended leadership development combines in-person moments with ongoing support through AI-driven platforms to ensure sustained behavior change.
• The framework of 'Be conscious, be curious, be better' encourages leaders to connect personal challenges with professional growth opportunities.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Adeption.IO
• Corey Criswell on LinkedIn
• Kent Kniebel on Linked In
• Kent.Coach

**Music for this podcast comes from the song Needle & Thread and is provided with permission by Pert' Near Sandstone. Check them out on PertNeaerSandstone.com and on all major streaming platforms.**

Steve is a story-shaping strategist and simulation architect—equal parts executive coach, instructional design expert, fantasy world-builder, and MMO tactician. By day, he coaches overworked tech leaders, design high-impact L&D systems, and architect enterprise learning tech stacks with surgical precision. By night, he authors things like superhero bars, criminal masterminds, and werewolf bartenders into richly imagined worlds.

Steve is the kind of person who can spot a broken LMS config and an underdeveloped character arc from a mile away. He thrives where structure meets creativity—whether it’s refining a coaching pitch deck or planning a D&D boss encounter. Practical, precise, and purpose-driven, Steve cares deeply about clarity, learning, and elevating both real-world teams and fictional misfits.

If there's a common thread? He makes complexity navigable—one well-designed experience at a time.

We’re diving deep into the world of leadership development, and trust me, it’s all about moving from those lightbulb moments to actually making changes stick. Our main takeaway? Just be aware of your habits. Seriously, don’t freak out or try to fix everything on the spot—just notice what you’re doing. This episode, I’ve got my buddy Steve Semmler hanging out with me, and we’re chatting about how awareness can pave the way to better habits. We’ll explore practical strategies like accountability pods and nifty apps that keep you on track, plus how to blend insights with real-world practice to truly up your leadership game. So, buckle up, because we’re about to get real about making those leadership skills second nature!

Leadership is all about evolving, right? In this chat, we dive deep into the nitty-gritty of turning insights into habits. Our guest, Steve Semmler, brings some serious knowledge from his years in leadership development, emphasizing that simply knowing what to do isn’t enough. It’s about getting those insights to stick like glue in our daily grind. We explore how awareness is the first step—just noticing our usual habits without judging them opens the door to real change. It’s like catching yourself munching on snacks while binging your favorite show; once you see it, you can choose to swap those chips for something a bit more nutritious. By breaking down the process into manageable bites, we can turn those insights into habits that help us level up our leadership game. So grab a comfy seat and let’s get into how we can turn that knowledge into action without breaking a sweat!

We also chat about the role of simulations in leadership training. Steve spills the beans on how these simulations aren’t just fancy role plays; they’re practical, real-world applications that help leaders practice their skills in a safe environment. It’s like playing video games to improve your reflexes before hitting the field—only this time, the stakes are about leading teams and making impactful decisions. The conversation highlights how effective simulations can mirror real-life scenarios, making the learning experience relevant and engaging. We talk about the importance of blending theory with practice, ensuring that leaders walk away not just with knowledge but with tools they can use immediately. If you’re keen to see how to effectively build habits and create a culture of continuous improvement in your team, this episode is a goldmine!

In addition, we touch on the challenges of establishing new habits and why some skills stick while others fade away like last week’s leftovers. Steve reveals that technical skills often get absorbed quicker than those more nuanced leadership behaviors that require a shift in mindset. It’s like learning to ride a bike; once you get it, it’s hard to forget. But when it comes to giving constructive feedback or navigating tricky interpersonal dynamics, that’s where the real work happens. We wrap things up with some solid advice for...