An In Good Company podcast with Jane Underwood, Senior Director: Learning and Leadership Development at IRIS
Transforming talent: Leadership, AI and organisational growth
In today's fast-paced world, staying ahead of the curve is more important than ever. Or is it? How much should trends influence us?
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Jane Underwood is Senior Director of Learning and Leadership Development at IRIS. She joins Dan to discuss the critical role of talent development in organisational success. Join their 25 minute chat as they explore key trends and predictions, including AI-powered learning, skills-first mindset, and leadership in a hybrid world. Jane brings her perspective on how effective leadership drives talent development programmes and how to integrate AI in transforming workplace strategies.
"Organisations that invest in talent development get competitive advantage."
What is talent development? And why is it needed for long-term organisational success?
Talent development is a strategic process that equips employees with the skills, knowledge, and experiences they need to grow, perform, and contribute to organisational success. It's not just about development programmes - it's about continuous learning, building a leadership pipeline, and creating an agile workforce that can adapt to change. In today's fast-evolving landscape, organisations that invest in talent development gain a competitive advantage, enhance employee engagement, drive productivity, and ensure they have the right people with the right skills in the right roles. Research supports this, with companies prioritising talent development delivering top-tier profitability and outperforming competitors.
Talent development trends: 2024 versus 2025
In 2024, the dominant trend was the rise in skills-based talent strategies, with organisations moving away from traditional job roles and focusing on building skills, internal mobility, upskilling, and reskilling. AI-driven talent marketplaces gained momentum, allowing employers to match skills with emerging opportunities. Jane identified three key trends she expects to shape talent development in the next 12 months:
- AI-powered learning and development: The integration of AI in learning is evolving, with AI coaching, adaptive learning pathways, and customisation for individuals.
- Skills-first mindset: The shift from university degrees and credentials to skills-based hiring and internal talent mobility accelerates, with businesses mapping critical skills, assessing skills gaps, and creating dynamic ecosystems.
- Leadership development in a hybrid world: Developing leaders who can inspire, engage, and drive performance across distributed teams is a growing priority, with organisations doubling down on experiential leadership programmes, executive coaching, and cross-functional leadership rotations.
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Listen again
Head to our YouTube / Spotify channels to catch up on previous episodes, including…
047: Talent acquisition and change with Bryan Ong, Director Talent Acquisition at KPMG in Singapore
Coming up
049: Understanding performance with Roy White
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