Community Showcase: Jack Pierce

Jack Pierce  
It'll be fun. Cool.

Luis Malbas  
Hey, welcome, everybody. Welcome to the training, learning and development community. Thanks for joining us. It's afternoon here on my side of the West Coast. And, jack, I don't know what side you're on the East Coast, aren't

Jack Pierce  
you? Well, no, I'm in the middle. I didn't know there were two sides to the west coast, though.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah. Well, yeah. The outside of the West Coast. Yeah. Yeah, I'm landlocked. You're landlocked? I guess the reason I mentioned it is because I'm, ah, this is usually we don't do the the member brought broadcasts in the afternoon. But I've just seen kind of a trend to do some of these later. Like, for instance, tomorrow, I actually have one, even later in this one at 4pm. But Dan Bowles is coming in from from Sydney, Australia. So it's interesting to have these coming in later in the afternoon. I still enjoy them, though. It's a little different for me. Yeah. So jack, remember showcase, we're going to be taught I have 10 questions for you. We've got about 30 minutes. What these broadcasts are, they're focused on trying to get to know people in the in the, in the training, learning and development community better. I have a page that is set up that shows all of these different people that are in the community that folks can check out and they do get traffic, people can watch to see like, you know, who are all of these other l&d professionals that are out there. And I felt like building a community is one of the best things that I could do is just kind of document and profile, folks. Because if there's one thing that I love about this space is the people, and you're one of those people that I love talking to jack,

Jack Pierce  
I always, always have enjoyed talking to you. And I know community is a big deal. It really is it makes us feel part of something that gives us a sense of being. Right.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah, and the thing that I like about the face to face stuff is that are getting on screen with actual human beings is that there's something that you talk about a lot that we are a better able to establish in this kind of a format, which is trust, and we're going to be talking about that. I have a quite some questions specifically related to that, in my, in my group of questions for you here. So let's just start out with this first one, you've been in this in learning and development in sort of the training space, and even in marketing for a really, really long time, like over 20 years, right?

Jack Pierce  
More like 40 more like

Luis Malbas  
40 what started you on your journey into learning and development?

Jack Pierce  
Wow, um, you know, I, I actually started in architectural design, and graphic design and all kinds of crazy marketing design, and it's, you know, it's always convincing somebody, right, to do what you want them to do. And as I started to get into some clients, where it mattered, I just kind of picked up the train ball because it gave me access to my experience as a designer, and a graphic designer and a writer, and a software designer, I mean, all the things that come together to make learning especially elearning just just all fell together for me.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah. So you kind of like you have you're multifaceted person, you have all of these different skills, and you found that you could just group them together in this particular field.

Jack Pierce  
Yeah, you know, design is design is design, whether it's photography, or its product design or software designer, learning design, behavior design, it's all you know, it all marches to a certain pattern. And even though the palette becomes different steps are the same.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah, yeah, that's very, very interesting. So what's your favorite part of it? Why have you stuck to this particular career for as long as you have what what do you like the most about it?

Jack Pierce  
You know, you you opened up with it, it's the people you know, I started with a kind of a small design designed buildings, designed graphics, you know, in and as those things kind of got boring. You move out and out another ring, another ring and, and really the whole issue of community and behavior. I mean, that's the big, that's a big, big playground. So that's why I stay in it because I'm so interested in people and what they do and why they do it.

Luis Malbas  
Right. And, you know, one thing that I love asking for folks that have been in this space for as long as they have is, you know, and I know like, I can see that Danny is in the audience right now and, and Trish Ward, but what what kind of changes have you seen across across the years that that you that have been noticeable to you as like a trainer as somebody that is an elder and professionals? Is there anything in particular that really, really stands out that you've seen? Yeah, a couple of things,

Jack Pierce  
actually. bandwidth is one. I mean, that has been a game changer. You know, year after year after year after year, as we went digital clients understanding of how important learning and development is, I think has made a nice improvement. There was a change in the industry, you'll remember this when some of the first tech products came out, and and now we have these tools that were as easy as PowerPoint. And of course, they looked like PowerPoint. But you know, the whole mentality one thing that hasn't changed, which really is a pet peeve for me is very few people look at learning or training and development as a profit center. And it should be you know, with sales training, I can prove it. But it's the mentality of, well, this cost money, so we're going to tighten the screws on it when you should be doing the opposite. Just that mentality, I've gone to bat with executives on numerous times.

Luis Malbas  
Wow, that's really interesting. And so I wanted to ask you about how l&d like sort of has influenced your, the way that you've created your own products, like, you know, we've talked to you before about trust to connect. And then when I first met you, you were doing my rhythm? Those things, you know, like, what is it that that relationship of building those products and l&d, like where How do those Connect? Because you have a certain emphasis with both of those things, right? And maybe you can talk about trust to connect a little bit right

Jack Pierce  
now. Sure, sure. Um, the biggest challenge I've run into over the years, has been people's lack of trust, that, you know, somebody in the C suite won't sign off on a project because it gives them some certain amount of risk. And people who won't, who hold back their best ideas, because they're afraid of being criticized, or, or marginalized. Those are built a huge, huge issues. I like to mention the whole people act like turtles act, because when trust is damaged, you know, turtles, pull their neck back into their shell. And that's what people do, you know, we we fly under the radar, we try not to get noticed, we're not going to stick our necks out on that one. And everybody suffers. You know, if I'm doing that I can't get where I really want to go. I'm certainly not helping my team. I mean, it's just, it happens in social circles, too. So I think the you know, we're one of the things that I know for sure, is that our DNA is is programmed for us to connect to other people. That's the only way that we can accomplish more and contribute more, which is kind of why we're here. But then what gets in the way is immediately is the emotion of trust, or lack thereof, or fear. It's the it's one of the most primitive sort of conditions that are put on us. And I don't think we've ever really done well with understanding it. But I think it can be, I think it can be understood, and that that opens up the territory for people to be more and do more and feel better doing and be more. So it's a real, it's a it's an it's an unlock the lock kind of thing.

Luis Malbas  
Right? So for yourself, where did when did your emphasis on or your focus on trust and building these relationships? Where did that when did that start happening? Was it at the workplace? Or was it just sort of a personal agenda that you had or cultural agenda that you have, but where where did that where did that start for you?

Jack Pierce  
You know, I'm not Filipino, I don't have culture at all. So but it was, it was a sensibility. Real noticing of how emotionally people act that actually came up in high school, is the first kind of times that I became sort of a emotional warrior, when people weren't being treated well enough, and trying to be a mediator. But, but professionally, it wasn't, it wasn't until I started, I think, really being close to some of the people in an organization who entrusted me with learning, and in marketing, and gave me pretty much carte blanche to do what I thought and so I really had to be conscious of the trust, and the communication. And, and, you know, that sort of collaborating with that open sort of agenda really turned out the best results always. So that's, that gave me a real strong push this direction.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah. Now, you know, Danny is saying relationships and culture matter. How does that and you've because I know that you've put so much emphasis on this in that you studied it? How does how does trust impact performance? Is there anything that that that you've learned that you can share with us where it might be useful for somebody that is a trainer and l&d professional, where they can consider trust is something that they have to also put some priority on when they're building out? You know, doing their job?

Jack Pierce  
Sure, sure. And I, that's the being conscious of that as a problem solver, no matter what the, what denomination of problems you're solving, is something that that doesn't get much play. But it should, you know, to the extent that we ignore the impact on other people, you know, they immediately have, well, if you're going to put distance between us, then so am I. And what I've learned is that, that we can predict the things that will cause people to trust us or not trust us. And if we've run into a situation where there isn't trust, whether we done something or not, we can actually go through a diagnostic and back out of that and, and repair trust to a point where we kind of get a duel over.

Luis Malbas  
Nice. So is there anything like say, if you're an educator, and I'm thinking about this in terms of, you know, your trust to connect platform, and just the ideas behind it? Like what as an educator can you do to earn the trust of your learners?

Jack Pierce  
Hmm. All right, well, people want to feel understood, they want to feel like they matter. And, you know, they want to feel like they're worth something. And if you can,

picture that, for the kind of people you're talking to, and it may go individual by individual, but if you can, if you can hone in on what that the friction is that they have, then you can address that. And, and be really successful in in creating a bridge where there is trust, and just the fact that boy, I this is probably sexist, but anytime I've ever when I was a kid, we want to have a school guy, fight with somebody, it always is best friends with him after that, but for whatever reason, but but when you close a gap for somebody, and and you're obviously you're doing it purposely and with goodwill, then reciprocity kicks in, and they go well Hmm, maybe there's something to this and maybe I can, I can, you know, kind of sneak in and try it out. But not the sociologists call it. reciprocity I call it fair trade. You know, people don't come back to a trade that isn't fair. And in fact, we try to even the score somewhere so that it is fair. So like stealing staplers at work or you know, it's it's just a it's such a solid human need to have things be fair.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah. So it's just a big chunk of it. It's just understanding your learner's and making that connection that way.

Jack Pierce  
Yeah. And it's but you Go to a real general perspective on a tool that helps. And there, there's an eight step. And I use it diagnostically. But it's also built into the design process with trust Connect, there's an eight step process that goes from DNA to how we build community. So the first is DNA that we that we are programmed to connect with other people. The the second one there is, is the emotional level, which says, you know, I'll do that if I, if I feel safe, and I won't do it, you know, if I don't, then it's not black and white, but it's, you know, it's a variable. And then nature kicks back in again, with giving us emotional signals, you know, oh, that doesn't look good, or while I should make you happy, and you know, the only 810 12 real emotions, everything after that is feelings. And people get those understandably, mixed up, because nobody ever teaches that, but but the reason people come up with such different feelings from similar emotions, is that the personal beliefs that they hold, so you, your brain that kicks out emotions, is cannot think you have no control over emotions, believe it or not, the feelings that come out, because your product or your beliefs, if you don't like the feelings, figure out what your belief is, and change that. And so the the feelings lead to behaviors, the behaviors lead to relationships, relationships lead to shared experiences. And the last step is learning so that we can do that whole spiral better next time. So it's, it's a very predictable model. I mean, you can, you can look at that as you're designing things and say, well, we shouldn't do this, we shouldn't do that we better do this. It really avoids a lot of the damage trust that we, that we do inadvertently. Right?

Luis Malbas  
It's fascinating. I like thinking of that in terms of even just building community and even sustaining good community. You know, and just, you know, those steps and being able to establish trust, so yeah, thank you for for sharing that.

Jack Pierce  
Yeah. We're emotional beings. So it matters.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah, yeah, no, definitely. Yeah, yeah. I'm sorry. I'm, like thinking about all these things in my head now, but about the trade and community and different emotions that have been floating around and things like that. So I'm gonna have to take a walk after this one. So jack, what are some things you wish you had known when you'd started out in your career, maybe something like you had like a someone that's a junior l&d professional that's coming in, and you were tasked with sharing some stuff you had known when you started out?

Jack Pierce  
I wish I understood fear. That amount of times that I held back and didn't speak my mind, especially if it was in disagreement. kept me from really kept me from progressing for a number of years. And I, you know, it's been my sort of my healing journey to to understand that we got two jobs, we need to know what our purpose is, even if that's a word purpose, but you know, the bigger sense of purpose, and we need to not let fear have a toehold. Because all it does is just send us backwards. Huh? I don't mind nursing myself at all you want to see it?

Luis Malbas  
So wait, so the fear piece? How would you How would you explain that to somebody like, being able to deal with fear? I actually, you know, I can really identify with that because I know, I would like if I were to talk to a younger musician, that was maybe interested in talking about performance, and even just being a creator or creating music, that would be something that I would mention is like, Don't be afraid, you know, just let yourself be open to you know, whatever you're feeling and, and express that. So how would you relate that to somebody that would be an l&d professional.

Jack Pierce  
I think I talk a little bit about the the notion of flow of creative flow. I look at all of life as vibrations, and real confident, happy emotions and feelings have up high vibration where you open up and you're really able to tap into your best pluff. Conversely, like a tight muscle, that sore you know, if you If you don't stay open, let's say you go. And music is a great example because I'm going to get up on stage and I'm going to risk What? You know, we have to see risk differently. What if you was what risk was not putting out your best? And I think that's perfect advice for any kind of instructional design or anybody in any capacity in l&d is, you owe it to you, and you want everybody around you not to get shunted by here not to give it your best effort. And, and shoot, if something negative happens, you know, you know, the story, you know, you can't learn unless you make mistakes, or unless you get, you know, somebody else's opinion in there. So it's all positive. Right? That's what I would say is, is learning to be fearless.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah, yeah, no, and it's, um, and it's such an interesting, I have a seven year old. And sometimes we talk about fear, you know, just now that he's starting to play sports, and, and even making friends things like that. And he talks about how he might be scared of certain things of, of participating in certain social activities. And, and, and that's part of it is, is trying to explain to him sort of, you know, that dynamic and, and of being fearless, but at the same time, just don't take crazy risks, you know, don't be,

Jack Pierce  
don't be stupid. But parenting is a great place to practice, things like that. I love parenting, my kids are 30 and 33. So I'm not really doing much of it. But, you know, taking that, that young mind, like learner who doesn't know things, and, and slipping them in there, in a way that makes them feel comfortable, so that they will engage with it and take ownership of it. That's always there. That's always on the table.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah, that's, that's really, really interesting. Um, let me ask you some other things. Just kind of about your background at this point, like, is that what keeps you inspired? What keeps you focused on on the ideas that you have kind of that you express here at TL DC? Is there anything in particular that like, is keeping you on the path that you're on?

Jack Pierce  
Yeah, actually, it's a huge thing. And it's, it's spiritual. I, I understand what I'm doing to be my divine purpose. And I have gotten lots of help from the other side. I mean, just literally things dropped in my lap. Or answers. beyond my belief, when I've got questions. I just think the universe and, and I don't, I'm not all that terribly religious, I'm very spiritual. But, you know, I know lots of people that are who are empaths or Buddhists, or, there's, to me, there are many doors to truth for anybody, two to one. And I do think I really do think that there is a as some people, you know, some people say higher power. Some people say, source energy, and I'll, I'll buy any of those. I just know that we're miraculous. I mean, we're, we're spiritual beings having a human experience. And I just, I revel in that. So yeah,

Luis Malbas  
yeah, there's this element for me that where I am, I have such a strong belief in, in, in, in human beings and other people, and just their ability to be divine, you know, and I'm not religious, I don't even really know if I'm spiritual or anything. I just know that I love to see people just achieve things and to, to grow and to become like, you know, just better versions of themselves. And that is, is something that I feel like is, in a way, a very spiritual thing for me, and it's, you know, and it's one of the reasons why I think, you know, I'm doing broadcasts like this with you because, you know, I like to, you know, to talk To the jack Pierce's of the world out there and, and, and learn more about them and, and find out what gets them going.

Jack Pierce  
What I've learned about you is you have a wonderful heart, whether you think you're spiritual or not, I mean knew you're focused on other people, and the good you can do for other people. I do kind of no higher purpose than that, I think,

Luis Malbas  
you know, and it's funny, it feels like it's sort of easy to do this now because there is so much that is against it. Like there's so many things that are trying to divide people and to turn people into against each other and all this that it's like, this is easy, actually just remembering that our own humanity is kind of, you know, it's it's just me, you know, I'm just trying to make the effort and, and, and it's good for me. Alright, so let me ask you this one. We're almost we're almost we're almost out of time, jack. But if you weren't an l&d professional, what would you be?

Jack Pierce  
I probably a photographer, right? Oh, yeah. Okay, a ton of work with love to manipulate images and create an emotion that two dimensions doesn't usually allow. So it's hard for me not to, like put those into my website. No, yeah. Sure, yeah. I, it's, well, I do you know, I'm just launching my new one. And, and the workshop that I'm just launching is called trust is crumbling. fix it. So there's some really good research out there really parallels this and like, I can't remember if it's a Pew Charitable Trust or somebody else. But I learned recently, they actually have a full time group that studies trust. And they do surveys with a group, it's a revolving group of 5000 people that are almost a precise cross section of ages, socio economic circumstances, religion, of the country. And so their research is really eye opening. Trust is trust, it's a growing issue for how many things are sealing.

Luis Malbas  
Right? Yeah, no, that is, oh, man, that is such. That's a whole other conversation for us, jack, as you know, like trust and accountability. That's a big one for me, just like, yes. You know, especially in digital privacy and things like that today, that is something that really, really stands out for me. And so anyway, last question for you, jack. And then we're gonna wrap it up. There's one thing that that people should know about you. What is it?

Jack Pierce  
Oh, God, I don't wet the bed anymore. One thing, one thing is how passionate I am. Okay. And, and I'm, even though I'm compassionate, I'm very hard nosed. I have a I have a real high ethical standard. And I'm not afraid to hold people to it. Yeah.

Luis Malbas  
Yeah, no, I can see that you're definitely passionate. And you know, and you've been like, you're really, really focused on your journey. That's something that I really get out of my interaction with you. I know that sometimes you send me lots of DMS on slack late at night, and I'm like, What is he doing up thinking about this right now.

Jack Pierce  
And you can take or leave those to tell not your need to hear.

Luis Malbas  
No, but jack, I really, really do appreciate you being a part of the community and, and jumping in when you can and helping us out with, with with with support and talking to people about their needs, and I really do appreciate you participating. So thanks for that. Thanks for you know, being a member and helping support this community and and for taking the time out to talk with us today.

Jack Pierce  
It's totally welcome. And I you know, I wish we could just do more and more together so

Luis Malbas  
yeah, yeah. Well, I'm around. Alright everybody. Thanks a lot. Thanks, jack. And tomorrow. We've got you. Yeah, tomorrow. We've got a Dan Bowles coming in from Sydney, Australia. We'll be talking to her. I think she's the chief enablement officer have in sync, work workplace, I think it was. So that should be a great conversation tomorrow. And then for any folks that are interested in a D i event that I'm trying to plan at this point. I know jack, you're interested in that too. I'm thinking about probably doing a meeting on Monday for anybody that might be wanting to get involved with that. I'm going to put a call out in the Slack channel. for that one. It's um, it's really been I'm it's this has been a tough one for me because I feel like I want this to be really a special event. So I want to talk about what I have going with that one. So look for that on Monday, and lots of other broadcasts. And with that, thanks, everyone for joining us today and we'll talk to you later. Great. Bye, everyone. Bye now.

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