What does 'learning out loud' mean in a professional context?

Learning out loud refers to the practice of openly sharing your growth process, questions, and discoveries with others rather than waiting until you have all the answers. It fosters psychological safety and authentic connection within teams. This approach can be especially powerful in cultures struggling with disengagement.

Why is workplace engagement declining and what can leaders do about it?

Global employee engagement fell to just 21% in 2024, reflecting a broader crisis of meaning and connection in the workplace. Leaders can address this by modeling vulnerability, encouraging purpose-driven conversations, and creating space for employees to grow authentically. Cultivating belief and courage within teams is one practical pathway forward.

What role does courage play in professional growth?

Courage in professional growth means being willing to say yes to new challenges, share honest perspectives, and take risks in pursuit of meaningful work. Paul Plamondon's discussion highlights that courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to move forward despite it. This mindset shift can unlock greater fulfillment and impact for individuals and their organizations.

Learning Out Loud with Belief, Courage, and...

Learning Out Loud with Belief, Courage, and the Power of Yes

This episode of Professional Quotient features Paul Plamondon discussing how belief, courage, and a willingness to embrace opportunities can counter rising workplace disengagement. With global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024, the conversation explores how individuals and leaders can find deeper purpose and connection in their work. The discussion centers on learning openly and authentically as a driver of personal and professional growth.

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By Jason Winningham · July 30, 2025, 11:00 AM UTCCareer JourneyEmployee EngagementJason WinninghamLearning and Development

Key takeaways

Global employee engagement dropped to 21% in 2024, making purpose-driven leadership more critical than ever.

Embracing belief, courage, and a 'power of yes' mindset can help professionals reconnect with meaning at work.

Learning out loud — being open and vulnerable in one's growth journey — fosters connection and inspires others.

In a world where workplace disengagement is on the rise, with global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024, leaders and teams are increasingly seeking meaning, connection, and growth in their work. Amid this shift, professionals are asking deeper questions about purpose and fulfillment, both individually and collectively. That’s exactly where Paul Plamondon’s work lives: at the intersection of belief, courage, and behavior change.

So, how do we reframe self-doubt, rediscover our calling, and build meaningful professional lives, even when the road ahead is unclear?

In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham sits down with Paul Plamondon — a coach, instructional designer, and learning and development leader — whose career journey is anything but linear. From dropping calculus in college to training bank tellers, and from doubting his ability to give advice to ultimately finding his calling as a coach, Paul shares the beliefs that shaped him, the behaviors he had to unlearn, and the courage it took to become who he is today.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why “I’m just a…” might be the most dangerous phrase in your professional vocabulary — and how to break free from it
How to measure real impact in learning, beyond surveys and superficial metrics
The power of saying “yes” before you feel confident — and how belief and courage often precede growth

Paul Plamondon is a seasoned learning and development leader with over 25 years of experience designing and facilitating impactful programs in leadership development, coaching, mentorship, and instructional design. He has built and led more than 20 global mentorship programs, trained thousands of mentors and mentees, and received the 2023 Mentoring Luminary Award from MentorcliQ for his contributions to fostering a culture of learning. As a certified coach (PCC, CPCC), Paul has guided professionals in building self-awareness, overcoming self-doubt, and developing leadership capabilities that align with organizational goals.

If you’ve ever questioned your path, doubted your skillset, or wondered how to design a life of meaning — this one’s for you.