Episode overview

Most L&D teams rely on learner satisfaction surveys to gauge training effectiveness. The problem? Happy learners and competent learners aren't the same thing. Dr. Will Thalheimer, learning researcher and author of The CEO's Guide to Training, E-Learning, and Work, breaks down why traditional evaluation methods send organizations in the wrong direction — and shares the four learning sciences (retrieval practice, spacing, context alignment, and feedback) that research shows can double training results. He also introduces a framework for rethinking how L&D creates competitive advantage, moving beyond "did they like it?" to "can they actually perform?

Will Thalheimer is a learning scientist, author, and internationally recognized expert on evidence-based learning design. With more than four decades of experience researching how people learn and how training actually works in the real world, Will has become one of the most influential voices challenging myths and assumptions in workplace learning.

He is the founder of Work-Learning Research, where he helps organizations design learning experiences that drive real behavior change and business impact. Will is best known for his groundbreaking research on learning transfer, spaced practice, retrieval practice, feedback, and evaluation, as well as for creating the Learning Transfer Evaluation Model (LTEM), which redefines how organizations should measure the effectiveness of learning.

Will is the author of two widely respected books, including:

• Performance-Focused Learner Surveys: Using Distinctive Questioning to Get Actionable Data and Guide Learning Effectiveness
• The CEO’s Guide to Training, eLearning & Work: Empowering Learning for a Competitive Advantage

His work consistently bridges the gap between academic research and day-to-day learning practice, helping teams build significantly more effective learning and learning evaluation practices.

A frequent speaker, advisor, and thought leader, Will is known for his clarity, rigor, and willingness to challenge the status quo in workplace learning. His work continues to shape how organizations think about upskilling, capability building, and creating learning experiences that truly stick.

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