Performance Matters Podcast

Award Winning Podcast

Listen to business leaders, performance improvement practitioners, and learning and development professionals discuss their work alongside new trends and best practices.

Performance Matters, GP Strategies’ award winning podcast, analyzes emerging strategies, technologies, and their applications for employee development.

Subscribe today and never miss an episode.


Featured Episode

Navigating AI Integration in Learning Organizations

Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it into a fruit salad.
Matt Donovan
The gold standard of learning has been one-on-one tutoring and hands-on practice and feedback… the problem is, how do you make those things scale?
Sam Herring

What if the secret to impactful learning lies in the perfect blend of human wisdom and artificial intelligence?

“Accidental learning entrepreneur” Sam Herring, Vice President and General Manager of Intrepid by VitalSource, joins the show this week along with Matt Donovan to discuss the transformative potential of AI in learning and development (L&D).

Listen as they explore how generative AI can enhance personalized learning experiences and streamline administrative tasks, and outline key challenges such as governance, privacy, and data infrastructure, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and transparency. The conversation underscores the importance of balancing AI capabilities with human wisdom and advocates for a problem-solving mindset in AI adoption.


Recent Episodes

Building a Sustainable Measurement Strategy

In this episode of the Performance Matters podcast, host Michael Thiel interviews Christopher Davis, Senior Director at GP Strategies, about the importance of building a sustainable measurement strategy for organizational performance. They discuss the critical steps involved, including understanding the “why” behind measurement, aligning stakeholders, and assessing organizational maturity. Davis shares insights from his extensive experience, including his time in the Navy, and provides practical advice for companies looking to enhance their measurement capabilities. Tune in to learn how to effectively measure and improve your organization’s performance, and discover the value of a well-defined measurement strategy.


Authenticity in AI | How Leaders Can Alleviate Fear in an Increasingly Artificial World

There’s a growing disparity between how leaders and employees feel about AI. Authenticity and AI can coexist, but it requires intentional leadership.
Leah Clark

In 2023, ChatGPT was the number one searched term. At the same time, Merriam-Webster’s word of the year was Authenticity.

In this episode of Performance Matters, we dive deep into the complexities of leadership in the age of AI. Leah Clark joins the podcast to share invaluable insights on navigating the tension between human connection and technological advancement. Discover how to harness the power of AI while preserving authenticity and fostering employee well-being. Learn practical strategies to elevate your leadership skills and ensure your organization thrives in this rapidly changing landscape.


Content and Coaching: Getting the Most Out of Your Leadership Training

Traditionally, coaching was used for senior executives, but now it is available for all levels of employees. This episode dives into the science behind coaching and how it can unlock your potential, both at work and at home. Listen to GP Strategies’ coaching expert Kim Bendzak share how to achieve greater results through coaching.


AI for Everyone: Breaking Down the Jargon and Prompt Engineering Tips for Generative AI

How can you get more out of AI for learning and development? Learn about how to get started with AI, common challenges, power user tips for prompt engineering, and some surprising use cases from AI for Everyone course experts Donna Clendaniel and Theodora Michaelidou.


Transformative Leadership – Strategies for Leading and Inspiring Others

There are many leadership styles but what does it mean to be a transformative leader? Patrich Calhoun joins the podcast to outline what it truly means to be a transformative leader and how you can implement strategies into your own leadership style to make a greater impact on your team.


Organizational Design Master Class | Essential Insights for Leaders

This episode discusses how organizational design impacts performance, likening it to a golf swing where small adjustments lead to big improvements. Chris Davis and Dr. Cheryl Jackson emphasize aligning strategy, capabilities, structure, workflow, talent, and measurement for success. They stress the need for ongoing assessment and adjustment to thrive amidst disruption.



Subscribe today and never miss an episode.


Award Winning Episode

In this episode of the podcast, Tom Pizer joins the show to discuss how the Metaverse is changing the way organizations will interface with their learners. Watch and experience what VR has to offer, from interacting with the simulated environment to showcasing various opportunities to deliver learning.

Virtual reality and the Metaverse can be effective with hard skills development, to develop skills in a safe and effective way. However, it can also be used for developing very important soft skills.”

Tom Pizer

Meet the Host

Michael Thiel

With nearly two decades of thought leadership in corporate L&D, Michael Thiel has a passion for developing experiential learning that “sticks”. Working on the agency side, Michael has directed award-winning content for some of the most admired brands in the world, including: Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Acura, BMW, Kia, and Sub-Zero Group.

Get in touch.

Learn more about our talent transformation solutions.

Transformation doesn’t happen overnight if you’re doing it right. We continuously deliver measurable outcomes and help you stay the course – choose the right partner for your journey.

Our suite of offerings include:

  • Consulting Services | Aligning vision and strategy to deliver integrated and systemic business results to drive growth and change through people.
  • Learning Services | Modern learning strategies, content, experiences, and delivery approaches that optimise workforce performance.
  • Technologies | An ecosystem of learning and talent tools, systems, platforms, and expertise that enable learning and talent transformation.