How Booz Allen Creates Validated Skills With Scale And Precision
Jim Hemgen, Director of Talent Development at Booz Allen Hamilton, talks with Kathi Enderes about how the company creates validated skills across hundreds of domains, including AI.
This success story defines the journey for every company. Using skills validation provided by Workera, and content from Udemy and HackerRank, Booz Allen has created a highly trusted, validated skills process that credentials employees in a trusted and verified manner. And Jim explains how he works with these vendors to put together a powerful, working solution.
As you’ll hear, the key to success is engaging managers (and employees) to encourage learning and focus on the most important new skills. Jim also describes how story-telling and rewards contribute to the company’s success in ongoing skills development. Today more than one third of Booz Allen staff have completed validated credentials for their career.
Sign up today for our newest course “Building a Skills Strategy that Works,” filled with case studies and a step-by-step guide to skills-based learning, recruiting, development, and career management.
Additional Information
How To Take A Pragmatic (and winning) Approach To Skills
The Rise of the Superworker: Delivering On The Promise Of AI
AI in HR: Certificate Program in The Josh Bersin Academy
Galileo Professional, The Essential AI Assistant for Everything HR
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20:26
DEI Firestorm and Alarming Decline In Trust Defines Our 2025 Mandate
In this conversation, I discuss the DEI firestorm, the evolution and current state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the corporate world, the alarming decline in trust towards businesses, and the necessity for companies to reinvent themselves in the face of changing market dynamics and the rise of the ‘super worker’. I also explain how much of our HR research is now clearly playing out in the PwC CEO Survey, which puts a financial picture on much of our HR and workplace research.
Takeaways
DEI programs have historical roots and are essential for business.
The political climate has influenced DEI initiatives significantly.
Trust in business has seen a significant decline recently.
Many employees feel disillusioned with the American dream.
Reinvention is crucial for companies to thrive in the future.
Companies that redeploy talent see better financial outcomes.
The Edelman Trust Barometer reveals alarming trends in public trust.
Diverse and inclusive workplaces lead to better performance.
The rise of AI is transforming business operations.
Engagement in DEI is a business necessity, not just a social agenda.
Important Resources
The Rise Of The Superworker: Delivering On The Promise of AI
January 28 Predictions Webinar
Edelman Trust Barometer 2025
PwC 2025 CEO Survey
Get Galileo®, The Essential AI Assistant For Everything HR
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18:42
How To Become An AI Pacesetter: Superworker Explained
In this podcast I explain the four-stages of AI transformation and detail why and how “AI Pacesetters” will far outperform others in their AI business transformations. The Rise of the Superworker research explains this in more detail.
The Rise of the Superworker predictions report is available to all users of Galileo, The Josh Bersin Academy, or Corporate Members. (A Galileo Pro membership is only $39 per month, and JBA membership is $49 per month.)
If you want to learn more and follow our ongoing case studies, briefs, and AI tools, download the Rise of the Superworker Overview today. You will be registered for regular updates. And please register for our launch webinar where I will detail this entire story.
Chapters
00:00 The Super Worker Effect and AI Transformation
06:54 Re-engineering Work with AI
13:14 Change Management and Training for AI Adoption
17:14 The Future of Work in an AI-Driven World
Additional Information
Digital Twins, Digital Employees, And Agents Everywhere
AI in HR: Certificate Program in The Josh Bersin Academy
Galileo Professional, The Essential AI Assistant for Everything HR
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20:43
The Rise Of The Superworker: Delivering On The Promise of AI
How do you deliver on the promise of AI in your team, your company, and your career? Welcome to The Rise of the Superworker, our new research on the organizational adoption of AI. This research explains how organizations and leaders can redesign work, jobs, and customer experiences to deliver on the promise of AI.
And as you’ll hear, job opportunities will expand for everyone. AI is not a technology to eliminate jobs, rather its a platform to empower every role. And the result will be orders of magnitude improvements in revenue, productivity, service, and creativity.
Download the Infographic overview here.
You can get the detailed report by subscribing to our AI platform Galileo, joining The Josh Bersin Academy, or our joining our Corporate Membership.
Additional Information
The Rise of the Superworker: In-Depth Article
AI in HR: Certificate Program in The Josh Bersin Academy
Galileo Professional, The AI Assistant for Everything HR
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20:39
PayPal Builds New Manager Capabilities with Precision Development
How do you build precision leadership skills at scale? Kendra Goldbas, Global Head of Learning & Development at PayPal, describes the world-class new manager development program at PayPal, MAPS (Managing at PayPal Successfully).
During the pandemic PayPal grew rapidly and needed a world-class leadership development program for remote leaders. The MAPS program, which is based on “learn | practice | teach,” builds managerial skills quickly.
The program starts with a 6-week cohort based learning experience covering technical and leadership topics, and then encourages leaders to focus on a six-month precision development journey. By encouraging leaders to focus on “one major skill,” the company creates a high level of accountability and continuous growth.
The company uses Growthspace’s precision development platform to personalize leadership skills across the entire company.
Additional Information
The Surprising Facts About Leadership Development, Human-Centered Leadership,
Why Are Some Companies More Dynamic Than Others?
Leading with impact: How PayPal is shaping its new managers with Growthspace
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