Listen "Champion Change, Craft the Future"
Episode Synopsis
Sonia Sant, Director for Learning & Development at Sedha Consulting, explores the future of work, emphasizing adaptability and human-centric skills. She highlights how curiosity, collaboration, and technology empower professionals to navigate change and deliver impactful solutions.
Discover how AI and human-centric strategies are transforming work. Gain practical insights to stay ahead. Follow follow Sonia Sant and learn more at SolutionsForLearning.co
Show Notes
[00:30] Sonia’s Background
Sonia Sant reflects on her 25+ years in learning and development, starting as an engineer and transitioning into L&D through a job that blended programming and training.
[01:00] Adapting to Change
She discusses the rapid technological changes since her early career, from IBM mainframes to AI-driven transformations, as well as challenges like environmental concerns and hybrid work models.
[01:50] The Impact of AI
Sonia explains how AI is disrupting industries on a deeper level, with AI agents mimicking human interactions and requiring businesses to adapt for competitiveness.
[02:50] The Future Workforce
Sonia envisions a future with fewer hierarchies and the rise of “Gen AI”—AI that seamlessly integrates into human teams without aging or traditional training.
[03:35] Elastic Workforce
She emphasizes the need for an elastic workforce that can adapt, bounce back, and evolve amidst rapid change, requiring resilience and innovation.
[04:00] AI in Training
Sonia explores how AI will revolutionize training, with AI tools like GPT providing on-demand learning directly within workflows.
[04:25] Real-World Problem Solving
She predicts businesses will focus on solving real-world problems in fields like agriculture and health, requiring speed, curiosity, and critical thinking.
[05:10] Evolution of Training
Sonia contrasts past hands-on training with modern reactive methods and sees a shift toward integrated, performance-driven solutions.
[06:15] Meaningful Training
She stresses the importance of making training meaningful by focusing on human skills and aligning them with both business and learner goals.
[06:45] Training Throughout Life Stages
Sonia discusses aligning training with an employee’s lifecycle, ensuring it’s relevant at every stage and avoids wasteful use of resources.
[07:40] Performance Consulting
She highlights the growing need for performance consulting to identify underlying issues beyond training gaps, improving business and employee outcomes.
[08:20] Using Microsoft Teams for Learning
Sonia shares her success using Microsoft Teams for dynamic, engaging, learner-focused training, leveraging microlearning, gamification, and real-time feedback.
[09:40] Quick Training Development
She describes using Teams for quick, impactful product pitch training, emphasizing flexibility and collaboration through social learning features.
[12:55] Enhancing the Learning Experience
Sonia discusses the importance of engaging microlearning modules and using platforms like Skillsoft for custom learning journeys.
[14:20] Embracing Change for Future Readiness
She emphasizes staying curious and developing key human skills like feedback, communication, and collaboration to stay ahead in the future.
[14:55] Skills for Success
Sonia stresses that critical thinking, design thinking, and problem-solving are essential for thriving in the evolving business landscape.
[15:30] Leveraging Technology & AI
She advocates using AI tools to streamline processes and enhance responsiveness, sharing how she quickly prototyped solutions using AI.
[16:05] Seeking Help & Sharing Knowledge
Sonia encourages professionals to seek help and share knowledge, offering mentoring sessions to support others in learning and development or AI.
[17:00] Final Thoughts
She stresses human-centric solutions and the power of small, meaningful connections, urging professionals to engage directly with their audiences for impactful results.
Discover how AI and human-centric strategies are transforming work. Gain practical insights to stay ahead. Follow follow Sonia Sant and learn more at SolutionsForLearning.co
Show Notes
[00:30] Sonia’s Background
Sonia Sant reflects on her 25+ years in learning and development, starting as an engineer and transitioning into L&D through a job that blended programming and training.
[01:00] Adapting to Change
She discusses the rapid technological changes since her early career, from IBM mainframes to AI-driven transformations, as well as challenges like environmental concerns and hybrid work models.
[01:50] The Impact of AI
Sonia explains how AI is disrupting industries on a deeper level, with AI agents mimicking human interactions and requiring businesses to adapt for competitiveness.
[02:50] The Future Workforce
Sonia envisions a future with fewer hierarchies and the rise of “Gen AI”—AI that seamlessly integrates into human teams without aging or traditional training.
[03:35] Elastic Workforce
She emphasizes the need for an elastic workforce that can adapt, bounce back, and evolve amidst rapid change, requiring resilience and innovation.
[04:00] AI in Training
Sonia explores how AI will revolutionize training, with AI tools like GPT providing on-demand learning directly within workflows.
[04:25] Real-World Problem Solving
She predicts businesses will focus on solving real-world problems in fields like agriculture and health, requiring speed, curiosity, and critical thinking.
[05:10] Evolution of Training
Sonia contrasts past hands-on training with modern reactive methods and sees a shift toward integrated, performance-driven solutions.
[06:15] Meaningful Training
She stresses the importance of making training meaningful by focusing on human skills and aligning them with both business and learner goals.
[06:45] Training Throughout Life Stages
Sonia discusses aligning training with an employee’s lifecycle, ensuring it’s relevant at every stage and avoids wasteful use of resources.
[07:40] Performance Consulting
She highlights the growing need for performance consulting to identify underlying issues beyond training gaps, improving business and employee outcomes.
[08:20] Using Microsoft Teams for Learning
Sonia shares her success using Microsoft Teams for dynamic, engaging, learner-focused training, leveraging microlearning, gamification, and real-time feedback.
[09:40] Quick Training Development
She describes using Teams for quick, impactful product pitch training, emphasizing flexibility and collaboration through social learning features.
[12:55] Enhancing the Learning Experience
Sonia discusses the importance of engaging microlearning modules and using platforms like Skillsoft for custom learning journeys.
[14:20] Embracing Change for Future Readiness
She emphasizes staying curious and developing key human skills like feedback, communication, and collaboration to stay ahead in the future.
[14:55] Skills for Success
Sonia stresses that critical thinking, design thinking, and problem-solving are essential for thriving in the evolving business landscape.
[15:30] Leveraging Technology & AI
She advocates using AI tools to streamline processes and enhance responsiveness, sharing how she quickly prototyped solutions using AI.
[16:05] Seeking Help & Sharing Knowledge
Sonia encourages professionals to seek help and share knowledge, offering mentoring sessions to support others in learning and development or AI.
[17:00] Final Thoughts
She stresses human-centric solutions and the power of small, meaningful connections, urging professionals to engage directly with their audiences for impactful results.
More episodes of the podcast You in 2042 ... The Future of Work
Embrace Change, Own the Future
14/10/2025
Reclaiming Careers in the Age of Change
14/09/2025
Static to Smart: L&D Rewired
14/07/2025
AI in Training: A Revolution, Not a Trend
15/06/2025
Future-Focused: Empower, Don’t Replace
14/05/2025
Learning Beyond the Old Boundaries
14/04/2025
Leading the Future Frontier
14/03/2025
Transform Today, Thrive Tomorrow
10/02/2025
Innovate or Fall Behind
14/01/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.