We often think of development as something leaders can give, like a training, a course, or a resource. But what if growth is not something to hand out, but something to cultivate?

What if the real measure of leadership is not in sending people out to learn, but in creating a culture where learning becomes part of the everyday?

In this episode of Lime, Listen & Learn: The People Leadership Lounge, host Abbiola Ballah is joined by Laura Jordan to talk about what actually shapes a culture of learning and how leadership can either support or quietly undermine it.

This isn’t a panel. We’re not here for perfect soundbites. This is a lime, a Trinidadian term that means to hang out, connect, and vibe.

Abbiola and Laura explore what shifts when leaders move beyond providing resources and start paying attention to how learning shows up in day to day work. They talk about the gap between theory and application, the role of emotional awareness, and why understanding people as humans, not just roles, matters when it comes to growth and development at work.

Grab your snacks and a drink. Come lime with us!

• Rethinking development as something to cultivate, not deliver
• Building learning into everyday leadership behavior
• Bridging the gap between theory and application
• Emotional awareness as part of learning cultures
• Understanding people beyond their roles at work

Laura Jordan has a MA in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Professionally, she enjoys turning broader strategic vision into practical reality. Her passion for onboarding and leadership development often connects her with organizational development projects. She loves networking and learning from others' stories. Laura is a proud military spouse to a test pilot and mother to two amazing children.

Learn more about Laura’s work here:
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Abbiola Ballah (she/her) is a people leadership consultant, coach, and facilitator who supports directors & managers navigating the human side of leadership. She is the Founder of Phern Education Studios and the creator of the CLEARER Conversations™ Experience, a signature leadership program designed to help people leaders approach hard conversations with care, discernment, and intention.

With over 20 years of experience in leadership development, program design, and organizational learning, Abbiola partners with organizations across the health, education, philanthropy, and nonprofit sectors to design and facilitate people-centered leadership experiences that improve communication, support managers & directors through team dynamics, and rebuild trust. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, she brings a global perspective shaped by long-term, cross-cultural work with leaders and organizations.

Learn more about Abbiola's work here:
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