Stop Managing Training. Start Leading Talent
- Matt Williams
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
For many Learning & Development professionals, the career journey starts with a passion for helping others grow. You’re the go-to person for course delivery, the organiser of away days, the curator of learning content. But somewhere along the way, the ambition kicks in:
“I don’t just want to deliver training—I want to shape the future of talent in this organisation.”
That’s the point where your career starts to move from L&D Manager to Talent Leader. And that shift? It’s not just about climbing the ladder—it’s about thinking differently, influencing differently, and delivering real strategic value.
The Curve: Where L&D Professionals Get Stuck
It’s easy to get stuck in the “lone ranger” stage of L&D—managing compliance, facilitating courses, and responding to training requests. You’re busy, you’re competent, and your efforts are appreciated. But the work is often reactive, disconnected from broader business goals, and rarely gets a seat at the senior table.
The Danger? You become a service, not a strategy.
The move to Talent Leader requires new thinking:
• You shift from order-taker to strategic partner
• You move from activity metrics to business impact
• You stop managing learning and start leading capability
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
Becoming a Talent Leader means stepping into conversations about workforce planning, future capability, succession, and performance. You need to:
• Influence senior stakeholders
• Build and lead a high-performing L&D team
• Design scalable learning strategies that support organisational growth
And crucially—you need the confidence, credibility, and commercial awareness to back it all up.
That’s where most L&D professionals hit a wall. Because traditional L&D development doesn’t prepare you for this level of leadership. That’s why we built The TwentyOne Leadership L&D Academy.
The L&D Academy: Supporting the Leap from Lone Manager to Leader
The TwentyOne Leadership L&D Academy is designed for ambitious L&D professionals who are ready to take that next step.
Whether you're leading a team of one or scaling a function from scratch, we give you the tools, coaching, and mindset to become a true Talent Leader.
Inside the Academy, you’ll learn how to:
• Develop your strategic voice and influence at the top table
• Align learning with business outcomes, not just learning goals
• Build a future-ready L&D team with the right mix of skills
• Create a scalable talent and succession strategy
But more than that—you’ll gain the confidence and clarity to lead with impact.
Are You Ready to Make the Leap?
If you’re ready to go from lone manager to strategic leader—The L&D Academy is here to help.
Email me matt@twentyoneleadership.com to learn more or book a call to see how we can support your next chapter.
Because L&D doesn’t need more training coordinators—it needs leaders who can shape the future of work.
