057: "Are We Training People to Know—or to Do?" (lessons from Cortney Harding)

🧠 Erik’s Take

After interviewing Cortney Harding, Erik reflects on how VR, AI, and immersive learning are reshaping the way we train people—especially in communication. But beyond the tech, this episode is about mindset shifts: from teaching to training, from knowing to doing, and from buying solutions to solving real problems. It’s a direct and thoughtful take on why so many AI and training initiatives fail—and what to do differently.

🎯 Top Insights from the Interview

• Don’t start with the tech—start with the problem. Buying AI solutions without knowing the core business issue is a fast track to wasted money and disillusioned teams.
• Immersive VR training is a game changer. People pay attention differently when they can’t multitask. They feel, not just observe, the learning.
• Failing safely is key to real learning. VR creates an environment where people can make mistakes without consequences—something real life rarely allows.
• Communication skills are still the power skill. As AI takes over more functions, human interaction remains the differentiator.
• Our system doesn’t train people to communicate well. Most professionals were never taught how to lead conversations—and it shows.

🧩 The Personal Layer

Erik admits to previously believing that vertical-specific training was the only way forward with AI and VR. But Cortney’s pushback made him reconsider: almost every organization stands to benefit from training people on core conversational competencies. He also unpacks how many leaders mistakenly assume communication is common sense—when it’s actually a trained, practiced skillset most never receive.

🧰 From Insight to Action

• ✅ Audit your training programs. Are they truly immersive and skills-based—or are they just compliance-driven content dumps?
• ❓ Ask better questions before adopting AI. What problem are you solving? Who needs to change? How will you measure progress?
• 🧠 Level up communication at scale. Invest in practical frameworks for listening, influence, and empathy—before the performance gaps get wider.
• 🎧 Get curious about failure. Safe environments to fail are rare. VR creates them. How are you providing that for your people?
• 🗺️ Broaden your definition of learning. Not everything that matters can be tested on a quiz. Start designing experiences, not just courses.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

“There’s a real cost to doing it wrong—not just failed projects, but AI fatigue.”

“You can’t multitask in VR. That’s the brute-force magic of it.”

“The future belongs to those who can influence with words. That’s not going anywhere.”

“We don’t train people to communicate—we just hope they figure it out. Most don’t.”

“If you're just throwing the AI fruit basket at the wall hoping something sticks… good luck.”