Curiosity: The Critical Skill for Learning Leaders in Talent Development with Josiah Owens of INPO
Josiah Owens, Program Manager of Employee Development at INPO, talks about what it takes to build a career centered on impact rather than title. Josiah traces his path from video production and instructional design work to leading talent development inside the nuclear industry, and shares why he believes curiosity, more than expertise, is the most critical skill for learning and development professionals today. He also discusses his upcoming term as president of the ATD Greater Atlanta chapter, the mentor who shaped his leadership philosophy, and the book he recommends to every aspiring learning strategist building a career in talent development.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
00:00 Introduction to Learning Leader Spotlight and this week's guest, Josiah Owens.
01:15 Josiah shares his path from teenage video production work to a career in talent development.
02:09 Josiah describes himself as an "impact chaser" pursuing purpose through people development.
04:42 Josiah explains how wider access to tools and resources has reshaped who gets to build learning content.
07:31 Josiah predicts L&D will shift from content creation toward genuine partnership with the business.
10:57 Josiah outlines his plans as incoming president of the Greater Atlanta ATD chapter.
17:38 Josiah credits his grandmother, a career educator, as his most influential mentor.
20:58 Josiah names curiosity as the single most important skill in the workplace today.
23:39 Josiah recommends "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey to every aspiring L&D leader.
24:43 The conversation turns to using Covey's Circle of Control to lead through the pandemic shutdown.
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RESOURCES MENTIONED
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
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