The Missing Link in L&D Success? Your Managers

Managers are the force multipliers of learning. Yet most are overwhelmed, misaligned, or unprepared to support training. If managers don't model, coach, and reinforce new behaviors, learning stalls. So how do you get them on board? In this episode, Vanessa Alzate dives into why managers make or break training success — and what L&D leaders can do to gain their buy-in. Drawing from Gartner research and her experience with organizations worldwide, Vanessa shares strategies for partnering with managers who may not see learning as their priority. You'll learn how to speak their language, reduce friction, and help them build the confidence to coach without demanding perfection. This is a must-listen for anyone who has ever struggled with disengaged managers, overloaded supervisors, or leaders who simply "don't want to manage people." What you'll learn: Why frontline managers matter more than executives in training impact. The top obstacles managers face when supporting L&D. How to speak their language and align training with their goals. Ways to reduce friction with coaching guides and support tools. The importance of building confidence over perfection. When and how to escalate cultural obstacles to senior leadership. 👉 Listen now and learn how to unlock manager support for your programs. 📌 Subscribe to the Kirkpatrick Podcast and join us at the Kirkpatrick Summit for hands-on strategies to bridge the L&D–manager gap. Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.