Episode 186: No Respect - The Rodney Dangerfield Guide to L&D

Rodney Dangerfield made a career out of one line: “I don’t get no respect.”

Turns out he wasn’t just talking about his in-laws—he was predicting the Learning and Development industry (L&D).

This week, Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler put on their Dangerfield bow ties and salute the man who knew a thing or two about being underappreciated. Why? Because L&D seems to be working overtime to chew up its own subject matter experts and spit them out like last week’s donuts from the training room.

Jeffrey shares two recent examples of L&D “leadership” (quotation marks intentional) that scream: We don’t need no stinkin’ expertise! Spoiler: it’s not pretty.

Rona offers a cautionary tale to executives everywhere: keep this up, and the L&D industry might just end up with less loyalty than employees had in the 80s after pension plans got the corporate shredder treatment.

It’s quick, it’s biting, and it’s designed to make every executive (especially L&D ones) think twice before disrespecting the people who make them look good.

And speaking of disrespect: Jeffrey’s battle with Adobe Premiere continues. Current score: Adobe 2, Jeffrey 0. (Rich Bachelor, if you’re listening, he swears your Change Management episode will make it to daylight. Maybe. Eventually. If Adobe allows it.)

So hit play, follow, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that respect isn’t just for Rodney—it’s for everyone in L&D too.

If you like this one, check out these connected episodes:

• Episode 128: Insuring HR is Taken Care of With Innovative Approaches – with Tobias Kennedy (because HR and L&D need to stop fighting like siblings on a road trip).

• Episode 125: How to Retrain Your Brain – with Kelley Raleigh (respect starts with retraining how leaders think about people).

• Episode 139: Play for Better Living! Why Play Makes Every Life Better – with Laura Haver (because respect also means letting people breathe and laugh).

• Episode 177: PR Done Right: The Cabernet Club – with Margie Zable Fisher (where communication and respect collide).

• Episode 182: Game-Based Learning with Soul – with Dr. Drew Davidson (proof that respecting expertise actually pays off).