Transforming Leadership: Charles McLachlan on Experiential Learning and CEO Growth

S1:E6 - In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Valerie and Julia are joined by Charles McLachlan, who is committed to developing senior executives with a rich background in technology, teaching, and leadership development. Charles, who played a role in Valerie's own professional journey, shares his unique insights into the world of experiential learning, leadership, and the future of work. 

Charles's journey began at Cambridge University, where his passion for business and computing led him to work with innovative startups. However, his career took a transformative turn when he was invited to lead one of the pioneering businesses in executive coaching and leadership development. This experience ignited his passion for teaching and helping CEOs, particularly in the tech industry, to accelerate their growth and achieve their business goals. 

In this episode, Charles delves into the importance of experiential learning, contrasting it with traditional methods like "chalk and talk." He explains how experiential learning creates a powerful environment where individuals engage deeply with the material, allowing them to reflect, adapt, and apply what they've learned in real-world scenarios.  Charles shares a memorable exercise from his CEO Growth Academy that highlights the impact of experiential learning, demonstrating how a simple yet powerful activity can promote self-reflection, build trust, and encourage vulnerability among participants. Charles also introduces his "Feel, Believe, Know, Do" framework, a method he developed to enhance learning experiences by engaging participants on emotional, cognitive, and behavioural levels. He discusses how this framework has been instrumental in helping workshop leaders guide their participants towards meaningful, intentional actions that drive real change in their professional lives. 

As the conversation progresses, Charles reveals his shift from one-on-one engagement to a cohort-based approach, emphasising the benefits of social learning and the rich environment that peer interactions can create. He discusses the keys to building a successful portfolio work style, offering valuable advice for those looking to transition from traditional full-time roles to a more flexible, fulfilling way of working. 

Throughout the episode, Charles reflects on the pivotal moments in his career, from becoming a partner in a global professional services firm to leading an executive coach training business. He also shares his aspirations for the future, focusing on enabling more people to find freedom and joy in their work, as well as his interest in emerging trends like adaptive learning and neurodiversity.
Key Learnings: The Power of Experiential Learning: Charles emphasises that experiential learning, which involves active participation, reflection, and real-world application, is far more effective than traditional "chalk and talk" methods. He believes that creating a powerful learning environment where individuals can engage emotionally and practically leads to more meaningful and lasting learning outcomes.
The Importance of Emotional and Belief Shifts in Learning: Through his "Feel, Believe, Know, Do" framework, Charles highlights that successful learning experiences must engage participants emotionally and challenge their existing beliefs.
Guest Information: Charles McLachlan, CEO and Portfolio Executive development - MAKING YOUR FUTURE WORK with Freedom, Joy and more opportunities to offer Love to those around you.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesmclachlan/
https://futureperfect.company/

Chapters

• 1:41 Introduction and Background
• 3:39 Experiential Learning vs Traditional Teaching
• 7:23 Experiential Learning in Practice
• 12:15 Feel, Believe, Know, Do
• 19:38 Portfolio Work Style and Eight Keys
• 22:34 Shift to Cohort-Based
• 27:47 Pose, Pause, and Pounce Technique
• 34:11 Charles’s Approach to Continuous Learning
• 37:32 Reflections on Career and Future Aspirations