Creating a Culture of Growth and Mobility in Corporate Learning with Ben Sieke of Delta Dental Ins.
On this episode, Ben Sieke, Director of Talent Development and Learning at Delta Dental Ins. talks about how human-centered learning strategies are evolving in the age of AI. Ben shares his unexpected path from musician to learning leader, offering insights into building scalable learning cultures, leveraging emerging technology and designing development programs that deliver measurable business outcomes without losing the human touch.
Key Takeaways:
(02:10) Ben’s role and his team's mission.
(04:47) His background as a musician cultivated Ben’s belief that most skills can be learned through practice.
(05:41) AI tools are reshaping L&D by improving efficiency and content creation.
(06:53) AI conversation simulators and adaptive learning are expanding training options beyond traditional methods.
(13:52) The future of L&D depends on proving business impact and shifting toward performance consulting.
(16:32) Ben emphasizes the importance of investing in coaching and mentoring to create richer human experiences at work.
(18:15) Technology now enables scalable mentoring programs, removing manual barriers and increasing organizational impact.
(21:30) Future-ready L&D teams need strong performance-consulting skills and up-to-date technical fluency to drive meaningful outcomes.
Resources Mentioned:
“Telling Ain’t Training” by Harold D. Stolovitch and Erica J. Keeps
"Hot Seat" by Jeff Immelt
ATD (Association for Talent Development)
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