Guest: Brian Hinckley

Host: Jennifer Flanigan

Podcast: The Learning Curve with Mind Your Business

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Brian Hinckley to explore how team dynamics shape the success of projects and how the right communication tools can make or break collaboration in Learning and Development (L&D) environments.

From project kickoffs to post-launch support, Jennifer and Brian discuss how teams can navigate challenges, align goals, and communicate effectively across time zones, tools, and personalities. You’ll walk away with practical ideas to improve collaboration, strengthen trust, and build smoother workflows whether your team is in the same office or fully remote.

💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to identify and adapt to different team communication styles
• Strategies to maintain alignment across cross-functional teams
• Tools that enhance transparency and accountability in L&D projects
• How to handle communication breakdowns and restore team trust
• Tips for fostering an environment where every voice is heard

🎯 Key Takeaway:

Strong communication doesn’t just keep projects on track — it builds the foundation for innovation, trust, and team success.

🔗 Connect With Us:

• LinkedIn: Jennifer Flanigan
• LinkedIn: Brian Hinckley
• Listen & Subscribe: The Learning Curve with Mind Your Business on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review if you found this helpful — it helps others find the show and keeps the episodes coming!

Mentioned in this episode:

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Introduction

Getting stakeholder buy-in can make or break your L&D project and nobody knows this better than Jill Gosnell.

In this episode, we sit down with Jill, a seasoned L&D leader with a project manager’s mindset, to explore how to communicate, align, and influence across every stage of the learning lifecycle. With a background in instructional design and global program strategy, Jill shares lessons from the field on what it takes to build trust, simplify complex ideas, and create programs that actually stick.

You’ll learn:

• How to map and prioritize your stakeholders
• Ways to tailor your message to different audiences
• Common roadblocks in communication (and how to avoid them)
• Why empathy and structure are your secret weapons

If you’re leading L&D initiatives and need stronger stakeholder support, this episode is packed with practical insights and powerful reminders.

More about our co-host:

Jill Gosnell is a seasoned L&D leader who brings a project manager’s mindset to every stage of the learning lifecycle. With a background in instructional design and global program strategy, she’s led initiatives ranging from leadership academies to onboarding and performance systems—always with a sharp focus on timelines, outcomes, and learner impact. Jill is known for turning complex ideas into scalable, well-executed programs that stick. Whether she’s aligning stakeholders or managing cross-functional teams, Jill blends structure, strategy, and empathy to deliver learning that drives results. 

💬 Let’s Connect:

I’d love to hear your stories on stakeholders and communications!

Reach out on LinkedIn or tag me with your biggest takeaway from today’s episode.

To reach out to Jill, find her on LinkedIn.

📌 Subscribe & Review:

If this episode helped you think differently about your L&D projects, consider subscribing and leaving a quick review. It helps other learning pros discover the show and it means a lot to me!

Mentioned in this episode:

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Introduction

Every project has risk — but how you manage that risk makes all the difference.

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down what it means to approach project risk with clarity, confidence, and control. Whether you’re launching a new LMS, developing a learning program, or leading a complex implementation, risk is always present, but it doesn’t have to throw you off course.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What project risk really means in an L&D context
• How to identify risks before they become issues
• The components of a solid risk management plan
• How to communicate risks to stakeholders without causing panic
• Why risk confidence is built through preparation, not perfection

You’ll also hear personal examples from past LMS rollouts and curriculum projects where risk was spotted early, tackled strategically, and even turned into a win.

🗣️ Let’s connect:

What’s the biggest risk you’re facing in your current project? Send me a message or leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

🔗 Helpful Links:

• Connect on LinkedIn

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review if you found this helpful — it helps others find the show and keeps the episodes coming!

Mentioned in this episode:

Introduction

Outro

You’ll hear real-world scenarios, practical frameworks, and the questions I always ask before I take on any new project. Plus, you’ll walk away with a free downloadable checklist to help you scope smarter — and save yourself time, money, and frustration.

🔍 In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why project scope is your secret weapon in L&D
• How to spot scope creep before it takes over
• Real examples of LMS and curriculum projects that went sideways — and how to fix them
• What to include (and exclude) in your project scope
• Tools to help you define, track, and communicate scope clearly
• The 5 most important lessons I’ve learned managing L&D projects

🧰 Free Resource:

📥 Grab your L&D Project Scope Checklist — the exact framework I use with clients to define scope, align stakeholders, and prevent last-minute surprises.

💬 Let’s Connect:

Have a scope nightmare story of your own? I’d love to hear it!

Reach out on LinkedIn or tag me with your biggest takeaway from today’s episode.

📌 Subscribe & Review:

If this episode helped you think differently about your L&D projects, consider subscribing and leaving a quick review. It helps other learning pros discover the show and it means a lot to me!

Mentioned in this episode:

Introduction

Outro

This is your first stop on the journey. In this kickoff episode, host Jennifer Flanigan shares what The Learning Curve podcast is all about, why it was created, and what you can expect as a listener.

Whether you’re an L&D professional, a project manager navigating your first LMS implementation, or a leader shaping learning strategy in your organization, this podcast is your space for candid conversations, actionable insights, and a little inspiration along the way.

🔑 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Who Jennifer is and her journey in Learning & Development
• The mission of The Learning Curve podcast
• A sneak peek at upcoming episodes and co-hosts
• Why this show was created for YOU

📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

🎙️ Subscribe today and let’s tackle the twists, turns, and surprises of Learning & Development together.

💡 Join the conversation:

• LinkedIn: Jennifer Flanigan
• Website: mindyourbusinesscg.com
• Want to be a future co-host: Co-Host Interest Form

Mentioned in this episode:

Outro

Introduction