John Tomlinson
@johnrtomlinson.bsky.social
Learning & Development person, change manager, coach, writer, podcaster, overthinker. I want to help all people have a good time at work and reach their potential.
If you find yourself responding to somebody else's idea with "yes but, the problem with that is...." just stop talking.
December 27, 2025 at 11:59 AM
If you find yourself responding to somebody else's idea with "yes but, the problem with that is...." just stop talking.
Just made a cup of tea but forgot to boil the water, turns out that's an important part of the process #AlwaysLearning
December 20, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Just made a cup of tea but forgot to boil the water, turns out that's an important part of the process #AlwaysLearning
Clocked off for Christmas yesterday, so today I have been idly checking my work phone for messages, it takes a few days to fully disengage - then there's about 10 days of proper leave before my life feels empty and devoid of purpose and I itch to get back to work
December 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Clocked off for Christmas yesterday, so today I have been idly checking my work phone for messages, it takes a few days to fully disengage - then there's about 10 days of proper leave before my life feels empty and devoid of purpose and I itch to get back to work
Something I use in learning is the idea of "Schrödinger's opinion" whereby you don't really know your own opinion on something until you are forced to articulate it (hence the importance of including space for conversation in learning experiences) #learning
December 18, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Something I use in learning is the idea of "Schrödinger's opinion" whereby you don't really know your own opinion on something until you are forced to articulate it (hence the importance of including space for conversation in learning experiences) #learning
Learning is not the passive consumption of content, it's a process that happens in your own head when you think, reflect, discuss, write etc. #learning
December 17, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Learning is not the passive consumption of content, it's a process that happens in your own head when you think, reflect, discuss, write etc. #learning
There is something about the action of clicking Send that suddenly endows me with excellent proofreading skills.
December 14, 2025 at 6:29 AM
There is something about the action of clicking Send that suddenly endows me with excellent proofreading skills.
Leadership means your decisions will have a bigger impact, but unfortunately leadership positions don't come with more knowledge & more wisdom. This means it becomes even more important to develop decision-making skills & listen to others - some leaders think the opposite is true #leadership
December 13, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Leadership means your decisions will have a bigger impact, but unfortunately leadership positions don't come with more knowledge & more wisdom. This means it becomes even more important to develop decision-making skills & listen to others - some leaders think the opposite is true #leadership
Most L&D people know this already, but a training course is not the same things as a PPT slide deck.
December 12, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Most L&D people know this already, but a training course is not the same things as a PPT slide deck.
That people think it's okay to watch crap on their phones without using headphones on public transport is a minor point in the grand scheme of things, but it's a tell that civilisation is fracturing - in the end it wasn't an asteroid that finished us off, it was TikTok
December 11, 2025 at 6:08 AM
That people think it's okay to watch crap on their phones without using headphones on public transport is a minor point in the grand scheme of things, but it's a tell that civilisation is fracturing - in the end it wasn't an asteroid that finished us off, it was TikTok
I still think they should remake The A Team
December 10, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I still think they should remake The A Team
Learning to have good conversations is one of the most important skills we can learn, and one of the most kind and generous acts we can perform. Too many conversations are really just one person broadcasting to a captive audience of one.
December 10, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Learning to have good conversations is one of the most important skills we can learn, and one of the most kind and generous acts we can perform. Too many conversations are really just one person broadcasting to a captive audience of one.
I'm surprised how many training models are still based on the idea that an all-knowing teacher will tell people stuff for a few days in order to give them a certificate.
December 9, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I'm surprised how many training models are still based on the idea that an all-knowing teacher will tell people stuff for a few days in order to give them a certificate.
I have the day off today! I plan to make the most of it by spending the day feeling guilty for not working.
December 8, 2025 at 6:32 AM
I have the day off today! I plan to make the most of it by spending the day feeling guilty for not working.
Like a boss? Maybe, but there are other words I'd use to describe a good leader
December 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Like a boss? Maybe, but there are other words I'd use to describe a good leader
Just read this fun quote from George Orwell: "every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it"
December 7, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Just read this fun quote from George Orwell: "every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it"
It is surprising how much content is closed off to me because I am - like many men of my age - colour blind. If people use a coloured map or graph in a presentation or report, I am so used to it being meaningless to me, I just wait politely until we can move on.
December 6, 2025 at 7:13 AM
It is surprising how much content is closed off to me because I am - like many men of my age - colour blind. If people use a coloured map or graph in a presentation or report, I am so used to it being meaningless to me, I just wait politely until we can move on.
I made an unusual (but also very mature) (some might even say "impressive") decision last night to stop reading a novel I was not enjoying. I'm still feeling guilty about it.
December 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I made an unusual (but also very mature) (some might even say "impressive") decision last night to stop reading a novel I was not enjoying. I'm still feeling guilty about it.
Lifts don't need the "><" (close door) button, it's just confusing. We just need the "<>" button but clearly marked as"OPEN" so there's no excuse for not opening the doors for people
December 4, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Lifts don't need the "><" (close door) button, it's just confusing. We just need the "<>" button but clearly marked as"OPEN" so there's no excuse for not opening the doors for people
I don't know if this is right, I only just thought of it in a wistful moment earlier, but If I could give my younger self any advice it'd be to work out how to make a living that fits who you want to be as your top priority, everything else can flow from that.
December 4, 2025 at 6:18 AM
I don't know if this is right, I only just thought of it in a wistful moment earlier, but If I could give my younger self any advice it'd be to work out how to make a living that fits who you want to be as your top priority, everything else can flow from that.
One thing social media has shown me is that humans are far funnier than they are rational
December 3, 2025 at 5:37 AM
One thing social media has shown me is that humans are far funnier than they are rational
One of my favourite LinkedIn things is when I get the "I looked at your webpage and love what your company is doing" message. I don't work for a company and we haven't got a webpage, but sure ... whatever
December 3, 2025 at 5:31 AM
One of my favourite LinkedIn things is when I get the "I looked at your webpage and love what your company is doing" message. I don't work for a company and we haven't got a webpage, but sure ... whatever
Fascinating conversations today about inclusion at work, and how we all have a role in creating workplaces where people can feel like they belong and will be equally respected - and the systems and processes will support equitable outcomes #inclusion #dei
December 2, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Fascinating conversations today about inclusion at work, and how we all have a role in creating workplaces where people can feel like they belong and will be equally respected - and the systems and processes will support equitable outcomes #inclusion #dei
Here's a quote we can all relate to "There are very few moments in a man's existence when he experiences so much ludicrous distress, or meets with so little charitable commiseration, as when he is in pursuit of his own hat" (Charles Dickens)
December 1, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Here's a quote we can all relate to "There are very few moments in a man's existence when he experiences so much ludicrous distress, or meets with so little charitable commiseration, as when he is in pursuit of his own hat" (Charles Dickens)
Friends here in Spain seem surprised when I tell them they're not allowed to just support Leeds United, willy-nilly. It doesn't work like that! You don't choose Leeds, Leeds chooses you, and then you need to provide a medical certificate to show you can handle the stress #LUFC
November 30, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Friends here in Spain seem surprised when I tell them they're not allowed to just support Leeds United, willy-nilly. It doesn't work like that! You don't choose Leeds, Leeds chooses you, and then you need to provide a medical certificate to show you can handle the stress #LUFC
Saw this on Chris Williamson's 3MM mail a while ago: “Would you want to be roommates with this person for 3 months?” as a good way to assess if someone's a good fit when making hiring decisions - no! This is a way to hire people like you based on irrelevant assumptions!
November 30, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Saw this on Chris Williamson's 3MM mail a while ago: “Would you want to be roommates with this person for 3 months?” as a good way to assess if someone's a good fit when making hiring decisions - no! This is a way to hire people like you based on irrelevant assumptions!