March 1, 2021 
We would love your comments about Empathy & Work in 2021!
Telly Leung and Elliott Masie are about to publish a free e-Book on Empathy.
Would you add 1 to 3 thoughts, sentences or phrases about Empathy in the Workplace in these unusual times? They can be attributed to you or anonymous.
Just click here: http://www.masie.com/empathybook
February 24, 2021 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS
February 24, 2021 - #1,052
(The Last Edition - Pivoting to e-Notes)
Learning, Business & Tech Updates Since 1997
58,844 Readers & Colleagues
www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
1. The Last Edition of Learning TRENDS - Pivoting to e-Notes.
2. The “e” is for Experience - Watch Microsoft Viva and More.
3. Workforce Differences: Vaccinated or Not Yet or Not!
4. Learning COLLABORATIVE: Another Elliott Pivot!
1. The Last Edition of TRENDS - Pivoting to eNotes on March 1st. I wrote my very first Learning TRENDS on November 19, 1997. It was one of the first “blog/newsletters” in our field. And, over the last 23+ years, there have been 1,052 issues and tens of thousands of colleague readers. A full collection of all Learning TRENDS is at http://trends.masie.com
I am very excited to PIVOT this part of my publishing life on March 1st by launching e-Notes. Each issue will include short audio, video, or text issues or resources. And, topics will include an “e” topic: Everyday Learning, eLearning, Empathy, Engagement, Evolving Cultures, Emerging EdTech and Elliott’s Experiences.
e-Notes will be free, concise, varied, diverse amd energizing for Elliott to create and curate. We will send e-Notes to Learning TRENDS readers, but I would love for you to add your name to the list to get the first e-Notes next week. Go to: http://www.masie.com/enotes to start getting e-Notes.
2. The “e” is for Experience - Watch Microsoft Viva and More. Watch for more “Experiences” to be woven into learning and everyday collaboration platforms in the next year. Microsoft has added VIVA as a major component of their Teams offering - embedding content, resources, courses and collaboration in their “Employee Experience Platform”. Check it out at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-viva And, watch for more platforms with these functions to hit the market in the coming year.
3. Workforce Differences: Vaccinated or Not Yet or Not! Be ready for some different, awkward and even compliance challenging interactions in the months ahead as there are different acceptance levels of COVID vaccines by the workforce. Some will already have two vaccine shots, some are at the end of the priority list, and some will not choose not to get the vaccine.
At the workplace and especially in the learning space, how will the organization deal with these diverse levels of vaccination? Can those who have 2 shots want to and be able to attend a face-to-face learning seminar while those who are not vaccinated remain restricted to virtual events? And, how will the organization deal with the risks to other employees and customers from those who are refusing the vaccine? Watch for HR challenges and lawsuits around these differentiations.
4. Learning COLLABORATIVE: Another Elliott Masie Pivot! We are very excited to announce the start of our Learning COLLABORATIVE on March 1st. Our membership organization is 75 companies working with Elliott Masie and each other on Learning Innovations, Learning Experimentation and More. We have space for 10 more global companies in our Learning COLLABORATIVE. Go to http://www.masie.com/collaborative for details.
I am very excited about the projects that The MASIE Center will be leading this year: Hybrid & Pivoting Learning Changes (Spring 2021), Learning LABS and more. Send me an email to emasie@masie.com and we would love to engage with you on innovations in the months ahead.
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
Chair, The Learning COLLABORATIVE
CEO, The MASIE Center
http://www.masie.com
January 18, 2021 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS
January 18, 2021
Learning, Business & Tech Updates Since 1997
www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
Invite: “I Have a Dream” Empathy Concert
“I Have a Dream” - Empathy Concert - Monday, January 18th - 4 pm to 5 pm EST
In these very stressful times, it is fitting that we honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a special Empathy Concert & Conversations on Monday, January 18th.
“I Have a Dream” will be the focus of our performances and dialogues with Broadway and TV Artists and Learning Colleagues from around the world. The need for hope, connection, authenticity, and dreams is so important now – in our workplaces, families, and communities.
We are hoping you will join us on Monday as we reach for the ideas and visions of “I Have a Dream” with performances and dialogues from:
Empathy Concert!
Monday, January 18th, 2021 – 4 pm to 5 pm EST
Reserve a Space: https://www.masie.com/EmpathyMLK
December 4, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS
December 4, 2020
Learning, Business & Tech Updates Since 1997
www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
Hello, Learning Colleagues! Join us this afternoon, Friday, December 4th
from 4 pm to 5 pm EST for our next Empathy Concert!
We are pleased to feature these amazing Broadway and TV artists this week:
*Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (Godspell, TV’s Hannah Montana, and Camp Rock 1&2)
*Julia Mattison (The Nice List, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Godspell, Is Anyone Alive Out There?)
*Michael Campayno (The Cher Show, Wicked)
*Telly Leung (Aladdin, Glee, Rent, Allegiance) Co-Host of our Empathy Concerts
We will explore empathy in the workplace in our changing times, hear amazing songs, and get a glimpse of the new, free musical produced by MASIE Productions, “The Nice List”. A fun metaphor for acceptance in these times!
Empathy Concert
December 4th - From 4 pm to 5 pm EST
Reserve a Space: http://www.masie.com/empathy1204
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
The Learning CONSORTIUM
The MASIE Center
September 10, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS
September 10, 2020 - #1,051
Learning, Business & Tech Updates Since 1997
58,878 Readers & Colleagues
www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
Zoom Education Lead on Empathy Concert (Friday, 9/11)
We are honored to feature Anne Keough Keehn, the Global Education Lead at Zoom on our Empathy Concert on Friday, 9/11 between 4 - 5 pm. We will interview Anne about the huge impacts of the Pandemic on learning virtually and explore the role of Empathy in Learning and Learning in Empathy. Anne has held many senior roles in Learning and Education, including at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Pearson. We will explore the learnings that Zoom has had during these unique times.
We will also feature 3 amazing Broadway Performers:
• Patti Murin (Frozen, Lysistrata Jones, Hairspray)
• Colin Donnell (Anything Goes, Violet, Chicago Med, and CW’s Arrow)
• Telly Leung (Aladdin, Glee, Rent, Allegiance)
Empathy Concert
Friday, Sept 11th - From 4 to 5 pm EDT
Reserve a Space: http://www.masie.com/empathy911
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
The Learning CONSORTIUM
The MASIE Center
July 30, 2020 Meet 3 Teachers Facing the Pandemic!
Teaching students during the Pandemic has been a challenge for teachers in our schools and colleges. Please join me for one hour on Thursday, July 30th at 5 pm EDT, as we interview 3 amazing teachers from across the United States:
Empathy CONCERT: Honoring Teachers!
Thursday, July 30th, 5 to 6 PM EDT
Reserve a space: http://www.masie.com/empathy730
And, we have 4 Broadway Stars who will perform and add perspectives about the need for Empathy for our Teachers! Join us.
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
The MASIE Center
July 27, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS
July 27, 2020 - #1,050
Learning, Business & Tech Updates Since 1997
58,844 Readers & Colleagues
www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
1. Honoring Teachers: Special Empathy Concert - Thursday 7/30.
2. What Learning Professionals are Learning: Topics & Skills.
1. Honoring Teachers: Special Empathy Concert! It is not easy being a teacher in this Pandemic. Suddenly, learning formats and locations are different. Students are at home, often with parents also working from home. And, as we look towards the Fall, there is deep uncertainty about how teaching, schools and universities will operate.
We need to honor the the teachers who have been operating in these uncertain and unprecedented times. Join us for our Empathy Concert: Tribute to Teachers on Thursday, July 30th at 5:00 pm EDT.
Here are our Teachers and Broadway Performers:
Empathy CONCERT: Honoring Teachers!
Friday, July 30th, 5 to 6 PM EDT
Reserve a space: http://www.masie.com/empathy730
2. What Learning Professionals are Learning: So, what are the skills and topics that YOU, as a learning professional, have been exploring or deep diving into during this Pandemic? With new demands, uncertain job futures and perhaps some flex time to be a learner, here are 10 of the skills or topics that are part of your colleagues’ explorations:
What is on your personal learning list? Send me an email: emasie@masie.com
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
The Learning CONSORTIUM
The MASIE Center
July 17, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS
July 17, 2020 - #1,049
Learning, Business & Tech Updates Since 1997
58,831 Readers & Colleagues
www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
1. Marshall Goldsmith & Sesame Street Actors: Empathy Concert
2. Learning Pivots eBook Announced: Write a Mini-Chapter
1. Marshall Goldsmith & Actors from Sesame Street on Empathy Call! We are honored to have my amazing colleague and best selling author, Marshall Goldsmith on our special Empathy Concert for Adults & Children on Friday, July 17th at 4:00 pm EDT.
Empathy CONCERT! For workforce and families. Join us for an uplifting hour. Here are our featured performers and authors:
Marshall Goldsmith (Leadership Thinker, Executive Coach, NYT Bestselling Author, and More)
Alan Muraoka (Sesame Street, Actor & Director)
Jennifer Barnhart (Sesame Street, Puppeteer & Actor)
Angela Grovey (Newsies, Leap of Faith, 30 Rock)
Telly Leung (Aladdin, Glee, Rent, and Empathy Co-Host)
Elliott Masie (Learning Innovator and Empathy Co-Host)
Empathy CONCERT for Adults and Children
Friday, July 17th, 4 PM to 5 PM EDT
Reserve a space: http://www.masie.com/empathy717
2. “Learning Pivots” eBook Announced: Write a Mini-Chapter! We are producing a free eBook titled “Learning Pivots”, focusing on current and future shifts in learning approaches. The chapters will be short, 500 - 700 word perspectives. If you would be interested in writing a chapter, please send me a note to emasie@masie.com
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
The Learning CONSORTIUM
The MASIE Center
June 26, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS
June 26, 2020 - #1,048
Learning, Business & Tech Updates Since 1997
58,831 Readers & Colleagues
www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
1. Curating Virtual Content!
2. Health Shifts During Pandemic?
3. Empathy Concert & Perspectives Invite: Friday, June 26th.
1. Curating Virtual Content! It is time to look at the vast amount of content, context, and resources that have been created and shared by your virtually distributed workforce in the past 4 months. Yet, where is it? And, can it be curated by others in the organization?
Pick a few colleagues and start a project around Curation for the virtual content. Some awesome resources are now located on hard drives of laptops. Other learning assets are embedded into emails. And, think of the video conversations that have harvested knowledge with colleagues on Zoom, WebEx, or Google Hangouts. Curation is the Optimization of Content Access and Distribution.
Look at tagging, searching, assessing, and sharing Virtual Content! Now is the perfect time to make Curation a part of your Re-Boarding efforts.
2. Health Shifts During Pandemic? I have been in some intriguing conversations with colleagues around the world about how their health may have shifted during the Pandemic. Some report they got in shape, did more exercise, and felt healthier. Some reported a weight gain, given the lack of movement and proximity to the refrigerator. Others decided to move their camera position and spend more time standing up during video meetings. Have a conversation with some people in your company or family about the health shifts impacting people during the Pandemic. On a personal level, I gained just a few pounds and have done less exercise. So, I am focusing movement in the time ahead. Feel free to send me a confidential note about your own experiences - emasie@masie.com
3. Empathy Concert & Perspectives Invite: Friday, June 26th. I invite you and your colleagues to join us for our Empathy Concert, to be held on Friday, June 26th from 4 pm to 5 pm EDT.
We will host Broadway Stars and Learning Leaders as we discuss and hear songs about Empathy! It is more important now, as the world continues and evolves the challenges of the Pandemic.
Featuring: Telly Leung (Aladdin, Rent, Glee, and Allegiance), Gary Adler (Composer/Musical Director), Chris Sieber (The PROM, Company) and Crystal Monee Hall (Saturday Night Live, RENT, and Concert Tours) and a Designer from Johnson Controls with a Children’s Kit they built for the Pandemic.
Empathy CONCERT!
Friday, June 26th, 4 PM to 5 PM EDT
Reserve a space: http://www.masie.com/empathy626
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
The Learning CONSORTIUM
The MASIE Center
June 19, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - June 19, 2020
#1,047 Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997
58,828 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
1. Eyes in Virtual Meetings!
2. Standing Up Virtually is OK :)
3. “Stuck at Home” - Empathy Song by 6-Year-Old
1. Eyes in Virtual Meetings! Please, look at your learners directly when you teach in a Virtual Meeting! One lesson that we, as learning leaders and teachers, should focus on is how our eyes look when we are leading a virtual meeting. Look at the people who are watching you on their screens. So many presenters are breaking eye contact with the audience to refer to their notes. Trust and engagement are broken when your eye contact drifts. Two suggestions: 1) Place a slide with your notes right below the camera - so you are looking at the lens while speaking. 2) Use a digital teleprompter app that can provide you (and your bosses) with embedded real-time scripts or notes without looking down. Here is one: https://telepromptermirror.com/telepromptersoftware.htm
2. Standing Up Virtually is OK :) Hours in Zoom, WebEx or Team meetings have become the norm for work-from-home employees. And, the default is to sit in the virtual meetings. Yet, your body and your style of presenting or reacting changes when you stand up. Try a meeting with the camera tilted up, remove your chair and watch the difference in your communication vibe. If you do a lot of teaching or facilitating, check out a Point Tilt Zoom (PTZ) camera - so you can easily shift the video image you are sending.
3. “Stuck at Home” - Empathy Song by 6-Year-Old! Today’s Empathy Concert features a song, “Stuck at Home”, written by Rowan, a 6-year-old girl. It is focused on the empathy for, with and from our youngest family members during these very different times.
Rowan’s song will be sung by Melinda Doolittle (American Idol) and we will interview her about the experience of being “Stuck at Home”. The song will make you smile, feel and repeat it as a caring tune.
We will be honoring Juneteenth with a musical tribute and discussing the role of language and “branding” as we communicate about Racial Injustice and the Pandemic.
Honored to feature performances by Broadway Stars: Laura Osnes, George Salazar and my co-host Telly Leung.
Empathy CONCERT!
Friday, June 19th, 4 PM to 5 PM EDT
Reserve a space: https://www.masie.com/empathy619
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
The Learning CONSORTIUM
The MASIE Center
June 12, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - June 12, 2020
#1,046 Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997
58,815 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
Police, Empathy & Uptown Funk!
You may remember that I hosted six police officers from Virginia who had done an amazing “Uptown Funk” lip sync dance that went super viral. They produced this engaging musical number with the entire police department to reflect their diversity, empathy, and community engagement.
We are honored to interview Sgt. William Pickering from the Norfolk Police Department during our Empathy Concert & Perspectives on Friday, June 12th from 4 pm to 5 pm EDT. We will discuss their culture and community approach during the Racial Injustice protests in Norfolk. Sgt. Pickering and our co-hosts will explore the approaches to policing with empathy and connections.
In addition, we have Broadway performers Celisse Henderson (Godspell & Concert Tours), Ali Ewoldt, and my co-host Telly Leung, with perspectives and songs for this powerful and uplifting hour. And, we will honor Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors United.
This is our 11th weekly virtual gathering as the learning and business community focuses on Racial Injustice, the Pandemic, and Economic Challenges. Reserve a space:
Empathy CONCERT!
Friday, June 12th, 4 PM to 5 PM EDT
Reserve a space: http://www.masie.com/empathy612
Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
The Learning CONSORTIUM
The MASIE Center
June 4, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - June 4, 2020
#1,045 Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997
58,805 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
1. Intersection of Racial Injustice and Pandemic.
2. “I Can’t Breathe…” Empathy Concert on Friday, June 5th.
1. Intersection of Racial Injustice and Pandemic: We have been deeply impacted, for months as people and citizens, by the shared experience of the Pandemic. Last night, in an ATD interview, I was asked about the intersection of the important Racial Injustice national reaction and the the Coronavirus Pandemic.
I believe that we have had hearts and awareness heightened during our months working from home in a time of ambiguity. Yet another tragic murder was experienced deeper and differently at this moment. There are more corporate leaders stopping and addressing racial injustice. Our minds and souls have been opened, hopefully differently, to address a long history of the racial inequities and injustice in our country. Consider how you, your colleagues and neighbors may have evolved by the combination of the pandemic and the killing of George Floyd.
2. “I Can’t Breathe…” Empathy Concert on Friday, June 5th.
“I Can’t Breathe..”Empathy CONCERT
Friday, June 5 - 4 pm to 5 pm EDT
http://www.masie.com/empathy605
We are at a unique juncture of “I Can’t Breathe…”, of the racial injustice issues highlighted by the murder in Minnesota, and the continuing “I Can’t Breathe…” medical, economic and stress realities of the continuing pandemic. Plus, our organizations are struggling in dealing with these powerful realities. The performers and speakers on our Empathy Concert will be:
Join learning and business colleagues from around the world at the “I Can’t Breathe..” Empathy Concert. Friday, June 5, 4 PM to 5 PM EDT. Reserve a free space: http://www.masie.com/empathy605
Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie
Website: http://www.masie.com
Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center. 95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
May 29, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - May 29, 2020
#1,044 Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997
58,739 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
3 Words: Authenticity, Ambiguity & Empathy!
Dear Learning TRENDS Colleagues:
There are 3 words that are so important as we look at learning and leadership during these difficult times:
Authenticity!
Ambiguity!
Empathy!
Over the next week, consider how our leaders in our organizations and communities can demonstrate Authenticity, openly handle the Ambiguity of the the pandemic, and weave Empathy into our communications, plans, and engagement.
And, we would love to have you and your colleagues spend an hour with several learning leaders and Broadway stars today:
Empathy CONCERT & Perspectives
Friday, May 29th - 4 pm to 5 pm EDT
https://www.masie.com/empathy529
Join Comcast’s Learning Leader Shawna Erdmann, Emergency Room Physician and Medical Simulation Leader Dr. Jane Kim, plus three amazing Broadway Stars: Declan Bennett (Once, American Idiot), Isabelle McCalla (Aladdin, The Prom), and my co-host Telly Leung (Allegiance, Glee, Rent, and Wicked). Reserve a free space: https://www.masie.com/empathy529
Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie
Website: http://www.masie.com
Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center. 95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
May 21, 2020 Memorial Day will be different in the Pandemic.
We have much to honor! And, much to celebrate!
Come to our Empathy CONCERT on Friday, May 22nd from 4 pm to 5 pm EDT. Together, let us honor and celebrate those working from home, those working on the frontline of service, and those who are looking for their next jobs. Let us also honor and celebrate a weekend that might be a bit different from past Memorial Days.
We will share songs, conversations about Memorial Day traditions, and perspectives about empathy and learning during this uplifting, hour-long concert.
Featuring:
• Mandy Gonzalez (Star of Hamilton, In the Heights, Wicked, Lennon, Aida, and more!)
• Thor Flosason, Sr. Director Global Learning Development at The Kellogg Company
• Raymond J. Lee (Aladdin, Groundhog Day, Anything Goes, Mamma Mia!, and more!)
• Telly Leung (Star of Aladdin, Rent, Wicked, Allegiance, Godspell and television’s Glee)
• Elliott Masie, Chair, The Learning CONSORTIUM & CEO, The MASIE Center
We will also look at how the Pandemic has changed and will continue to change many important days and celebrations.
Let’s start the Memorial Day Weekend together on Friday afternoon, May 22nd from 4 pm to 5 pm EDT! Reserve a free space at: http://www.masie.com/empathy522
Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie
Website: http://www.masie.com
Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center. 95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
May 19, 2020 Elliott Masie’s Learning TRENDS - May 19, 2020
#1,043 Updates on Learning, Business & Technology Since 1997
58,721 Readers - www.masie.com - The MASIE Center
1. User Content: Surges, Content & Formats.
2. Re-Boarding Readiness Briefing - Invite for May 20.
3. Hamilton Star in Empathy CONCERT - Invite for May 22.
1. User Content: Surges, Content & Formats. We have seen a radical surge in the amount and diversity of User Content that has been requested and deployed during the Pandemic. Here are 4 suggestions from my interviews with learning leaders about how they are optimizing User Content:
* Internal Branding for User Content: Examples - “From the Field” or “ACME’s Knowledge Exchange”.
* Format Visually with Levels of Approval: Use a logo that might indicate it is User Content, along with a date and indicator of level of internal review or approval.
* Tags and Curate: Add tags to make it ready to be curated by other users. Start to design a User “Taxonomy” with easy-to-add hashtags that allow content to be discovered.
* Revise and Remove Options: Some User Content may suddenly be out of date or out of compliance. Find an easy way for other employees to indicate that User Content should be reviewed, edited, or removed.
2. Re-Boarding Readiness Briefing:
Wednesday, May 20th @ 3:00pm - 4:00 pm (EDT)
Elliott Masie will lead an interactive briefing, focused on strategies to provide “Re-Boarding” and build readiness for the various futures of your workforce and employees:
Reserve a free space https://www.masie.com/reboarding520
3. Empathy CONCERT - with Kellogg’s Learning Leader & Hamilton Star
Empathy CONCERT & Perspectives
Friday, May 22nd - 4 pm to 5 pm EDT
http://www.masie.com/empathy522
Join Kellogg’s Learning Leader Thor Flosason, Mandy Gonzalez (Hamilton), Raymond J. Lee (Groundhog Day), and my co-host Telly Leung (star of Aladdin). Reserve a free space: http://www.masie.com/empathy522
Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
Email: emasie@masie.com
Twitter: @emasie
Website: http://www.masie.com
Learning TRENDS is produced by The MASIE Center. 95 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866