🎧 L&D Leadership Edge

Hosted by Sheree Comninellis

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May 2026

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About the show

Welcome to L&D Leadership Edge - the podcast for ambitious L&D professionals who want to step into leadership. Breaking into leadership takes more than being great at design, facilitation, or delivery. It takes visibility, business acumen, stakeholder alignment, and the confidence to show up as a partner to the business. That’s where L&D Leadership Edge comes in. Hosted by Sheree Comninellis — L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor to future L&D leaders — this podcast gives you the clarity and practical moves to grow from doing the work to leading the function. Here’s what you’ll get: ✅ Real-world insights on the dynamics you need to understand before landing your first leadership role ✅ Executive voices sharing their journeys into L&D leadership ✅ Practical steps to help you shift from execution to strategy with confidence 🎧 Subscribe now and start your journey into L&D leadership.

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21 recent

May 12, 20269 min

Are you Asking the Questions That Position you for Leadership?

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge , host Sheree Comninellis explores why one of the biggest shifts in your L&D career isn’t having better answers - it’s learning to ask better questions. If you’ve ever jumped straight into solution mode when a stakeholder asks for training, this episode unpacks what strategic L&D professionals do differently and how better questions can position you for leadership. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 18+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you’ll learn in this episode: 00:52 Why many L&D professionals get stuck in delivery mode 02:56 What strategic L&D professionals do differently in stakeholder conversations 04:28 A real example of uncovering a process issue behind a training request 07:20 How better questions position you for leadership 07:45 Your practical move for this week 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.

May 5, 20267 min

Why Stepping Into L&D Leadership Can Feel So Uncomfortable

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge , host Sheree Comninellis explores why stepping into L&D leadership can feel so uncomfortable - even when you’re capable, respected, and doing strong work. If you’ve ever found yourself holding back in meetings, questioning your voice, or wondering why leadership feels harder than you expected, this episode unpacks what’s really happening beneath the discomfort, why identity often lags behind capability, and what leadership growth actually asks of you. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 18+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you’ll learn in this episode: 01:00 Why leadership growth often feels uncomfortable at first 02:10 What’s really happening when your thinking starts to shift 04:13 How this shows up in real L&D leadership moments 05:46 Your practical move for this week 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.

May 4, 20267 min

Why Your Message Isn’t Landing (Even When You’re Being Clear)

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge , host Sheree Comninellis explores why being clear in your own mind doesn’t always mean your message lands in the room. If you’ve ever left a meeting feeling like your point got lost, this episode breaks down what leaders are actually listening for, why over-explaining can weaken your impact, and how small shifts in structure can change how your thinking is received. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 18+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you’ll learn in this episode: 00:53 Why being clear doesn’t always mean your message lands 01:52 What is really going on when you experience this disconnect 03:00 How to structure leadership updates using 4 key questions 05:47 Your practical move for this week 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.

February 24, 20268 min

What Leaders Actually Notice

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge , host Sheree Comninellis explains why leaders don’t promote effort - they promote impact. If you’re working hard, delivering consistently, and still not being seen as leadership-ready, this episode breaks down what leaders are actually listening for, how they interpret updates, and how small shifts in language can change how your work lands. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 18+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you’ll learn in this episode: 00:45 What leaders focus on 01:24 What leaders listen for when you speak about your work 02:36 How to translate L&D activity into business outcomes 03:25 How I surface impact to my leaders in my career 05:15 Your practical move for today 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.

February 17, 20267 min

Why Being Busy Isn't Helping Your Career

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge , host Sheree Comninellis challenges the assumption that hard work automatically leads to promotion and explains why being busy is not the same as being seen. If you’re delivering, saying yes, and working hard — but not progressing — this episode explores the visibility gap that keeps many capable L&D professionals stuck, and how intentional visibility can become a calm, strategic leadership skill rather than self-promotion. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 18+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you’ll learn in this episode: 00:51 Why hard work alone doesn’t guarantee progression 01:48 What the visibility gap is, and why leaders miss good work 04:00 How to rethink visibility as a leadership skill 05:11 One simple action to make your impact visible this week 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.

February 10, 20268 min

Choosing One Leadership Focus for the Year

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge , host Sheree Comninellis speaks to ambitious L&D professionals about why trying to work on everything at once often leads to stagnation, not growth. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by development goals or unsure where to focus your energy, this episode explains why leadership growth happens through depth, not breadth — and how choosing one clear leadership focus can accelerate your confidence, visibility, and impact. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 18+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you’ll learn in this episode: 00:51 Why too many development goals can slow your progress 01:26 How focus creates momentum and clarity in leadership growth 03:42 A career story about how I built my experitse during my career 05:28 How to choose a leadership focus that actually shows up at work 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.

February 3, 20267 min

The Early Signs You’re Ready for Leadership (Before the Title)

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge , host Sheree Comninellis challenges the idea that leadership readiness is something you suddenly feel , and explains why it actually shows up first in your behaviour. If you’ve been waiting to feel more confident, more certain, or more “ready” before stepping forward, this episode reframes readiness as a pattern of actions leaders already notice — often long before you recognise it yourself. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 18+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you’ll learn in this episode: 00:51 Why waiting to feel ready can delay your leadership growth 01:50 The three behavioural signals leaders notice as readiness 03:15 A personal story of acting like a leader before the title 05:26 Why confidence usually follows action - not the other way around 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.

January 27, 20267 min

Why Clarity Matters More Than Goals Right Now

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge , host Sheree Comninellis speaks directly to ambitious L&D professionals about why clarity, not goals, is the most important thing to focus on right now if you want to grow into leadership. If you’re already busy, stretched, and delivering, this episode explains why adding more goals can create noise rather than progress, and how clarity helps you make better decisions, prioritise intentionally, and move forward with confidence. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 18+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you’ll learn in this episode: 00:49 Why setting goals without clarity can stall your growth 02:51 The difference between being busy and moving in the right direction 03:30 An example from my career that shows the importance of clarity 05:31 A simple exercise to identify your true leadership focus for now 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.

December 9, 202511 min

4 Things I Wish I Did Earlier in My L&D Career

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge, host Sheree Comninellis shares the four lessons she wishes she’d learned much earlier in her L&D career. Through personal stories and practical insights, Sheree unpacks the mindset and behaviour shifts that turn capable L&D professionals into strategic, confident, leadership-ready professionals. These are the exact shifts she will help L&D professionals make inside The L&D Professional Collective , her new membership for ambitious L&D professionals who want structured growth, mentorship, and community. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 17+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you'll learn in this episode 01:22 Why leadership requires a different skillset — not just harder work 03:22 The cost of waiting for permission to grow 05:03 Why your network matters more than you think 07:28 The power of choosing yourself, especially during uncertainty 09:11 One practical action to take this week to build momentum Join the L&D Professional Collective If these lessons landed for you, this is exactly why The L&D Professional Collective exists. Doors are open until 15 December at the founding member rate of R550/month Inside The Collective, you’ll get: ✨ Mentorship and guidance ✨ Monthly live coaching ✨ A structured leadership development path ✨ A private community of ambitious L&D peers ✨ Support to grow into L&D leadership in 2025 Join here: https://leadwithsheree.com/ldprofessionalcollective/ 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.

November 25, 202512 min

Why Your Next Career Move Needs a Roadmap — And How to Build Yours

In this episode of L&D Leadership Edge , host Sheree Comninellis speaks directly to ambitious L&D professionals about why clarity — not skill — is the missing link in most career journeys. If you’ve ever felt ready for more but unsure what to do next, this episode explains why that happens and what you can do about it. Sheree shares the thinking behind her upcoming 3-day workshop series, designed to help you understand what L&D leadership really requires, how to position yourself in the market, and how to build a clear, actionable career plan for 2026. Sheree Comninellis is an L&D Executive, strategist, and mentor with 18+ years of experience developing leaders and building capability across industries. She founded Lead with Sheree to help ambitious L&D professionals step into leadership. What you'll learn in this episode: 00:28 Why clarity — not talent — keeps most L&D professionals stuck 01:27 The real reason created the 3-day workshop series 02:46 What you can expect across all three days 07:03 Who the workshop is designed for 09:00 The benefits of building a real roadmap for your next career move Join the 3-Day Workshop Series 🎙️ Your Roadmap to L&D Leadership — 1 to 3 December Across three days, you’ll learn: ✨ What L&D leadership really requires ✨ How to position yourself for internal or external opportunities ✨ How to build your 2026 career roadmap ✨ Insights from senior L&D, HR & OD leaders ✨ Community, clarity, and confidence It’s free. It’s live. It’s interactive. It’s not recorded. Register now: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/171620247592240790/share And if you're interested to learn more about the L&D Professional Collective, visit this: https://leadwithsheree.com/ldprofessionalcollectivewaitinglist/ 👉🏾 Your next step? Join me live. Free Monthly L&D Leadership Workshop 📅 19 May 2026 ⏰ 5:00 - 6:00 PM SAST 🎯 Topic: The Shifts That Move You from L&D Professional to L&D Leader Sign up here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/186710399820760594/share 👉🏾 Want ongoing support on your journey into L&D leadership? Join the L&D Professional Collective waiting list here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/589169/160114222489928873/share You can also connect with me here: ✋🏾 LinkedIn ( Sheree Comninellis ): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheree-comninellis/ 🌐 Website ( Lead with Sheree ): www.leadwithsheree.com 📧 Email: sheree@leadwithsheree.com 💬 Prefer a quick DM? Send me a message on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear where you are in your L&D leadership journey.