How Learning and Diversity Leaders Found Each Other

“We just thought this was a great way to have the levers in one place,” Brinkley said. “You really can’t do talent development without understanding diversity because you need to make sure all that flows hand in hand.”

According to Brinkley, AT&T’s leadership pipeline is easier to manage with this integration.

“The design was really [intended] to recognize that it’s the people who will drive innovation within AT&T,” Brinkley said, adding that having that kind of focused attention on learning, development, diversity and workforce planning under one department makes a difference. In this way, when it comes to learning and development, the learning styles, education level, culture, age group and even geographic location of AT&T’s entire workforce are taken into account.

AT&T is making sure all teaching, developing and communicating are going on as they should based on those characteristics, Brinkley said. This boosts innovation for the company.

“We’re not going to be as innovative if we have one mind-set,” Brinkley said.

Natalie Morera is an associate editor of Chief Learning Officer. She can be reached at nmorera@CLOmedia.com.