The Key Ingredients for Leadership in L&D’s Next Chapter: Jackie Barefield

Jackie Barefield, Head of Future Capabilities and Operations at BAT, joins us to discuss how L&D is shifting from a traditional cost center to a value-adding, future-focused driver of change, requiring leaders and teams to unlearn outdated habits and embrace data-driven, innovative approaches. She also shares more about the central role of skills measurement, the real-world application of learning, and how organizations can prioritize human connection in an increasingly digital, AI-enabled environment.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... • [06:35] AI's Impact on learning and development • [08:42] Learning beyond the L&D bubble • [12:56] Emergence of DIY tech solutions • [17:46] Changing approach to AI learning • [26:52] Realizing the need for further education • [29:41] Embracing constant unlearning • [35:17] Developing necessary training programs • [38:18] Impact of AI on expertise development L&D in the Age of AI Most people recognize that AI will fundamentally reshape not only what L&D delivers but how it operates at its core. This isn't just about digital tools or online learning methods—it’s about radically rethinking how learning creates business value and drives organizational change. Leaders in the field are no longer simply tasked with supporting business transformation; they are expected to act as agents and accelerators of change themselves. L&D professionals increasingly build their own solutions, experiment with new technologies, and challenge the conventional boundaries of their roles. This newfound freedom and responsibility are fueled by greater access to tools and a recognition that traditional incremental improvements are no longer enough. Leadership Humility and the Power of Unlearning We also discuss humility in leadership and focus on three core principles: acknowledging that no one has all the answers, intentionally seeking out and listening to others’ needs, and always questioning the status quo. These mindsets are especially important as AI introduces ambiguity and complexity that even seasoned experts cannot master alone. We explore how leaders must continually let go of outdated assumptions and be open to reinventing their roles and methods. The discussion identified being comfortable with letting go—of old metrics, legacy processes, and even personal expertise—as a pivotal leadership skill. Jackie believes comfort with unlearning grows with experience and that real change often happens when leaders invite open debate and are transparent about their own learning journeys. The Enduring Value of Relationships As L&D moves towards digitalization and AI-powered individualization, one concept discussed was the risk of losing vital human connections. In-person gatherings offer irreplaceable value for building networks and relationships, something online learning can’t replicate. Skills like judgment, pattern recognition, and tacit knowledge, built through social interaction and shared experience, may become an even greater focus for L&D in the coming years.  Resources & People Mentioned • The Learning Awards (https://thelearningawards.com/)   • Fuel50 (https://fuel50.com/)   • Workera (https://www.workera.ai/)   • TechWolf (https://www.techwolf.ai/)   • GitHub (https://github.com/)   • UC Berkeley Haas School of Business (https://haas.berkeley.edu/)   • British American Tobacco (https://www.bat.com/)   Connect with Jackie Barefield • Jackie Barefield on LinkedIn (  / jackiebarefield  ) Connect With RedThread Research • Website: RedThread Research (https://redthreadresearch.com/) • On LinkedIn (  / redthread-research  ) Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES (https://pod.link/1554931884)