Book: Talk to the Elephant by Julie Dirksen

Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change by Julie Dirksen

In Talk to the Elephant, Julie Dirksen tackles one of the biggest challenges in workplace learning: translating knowledge into real, lasting behavior change. Drawing from behavioral science, cognitive psychology, and instructional design, she explores why traditional training often falls short when it comes to changing habits and improving workplace performance. Through engaging examples and evidence-backed strategies, Dirksen provides a roadmap for learning professionals to create interventions that address motivation, environment, and cognitive biases—helping learners make meaningful, sustained changes.

Julie Dirksen is a recognized thought leader in instructional design, specializing in the intersection of learning science and behavior change. With over 15 years of experience designing digital and in-person learning experiences, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and educational organizations. As the author of the bestselling Design for How People Learn, Dirksen has built a reputation for making complex learning principles practical and actionable. She is also the founder of Usable Learning, where she consults on designing learning solutions that drive real-world results.

Workplace learning professionals will find this book invaluable for crafting learning experiences that go beyond knowledge transfer and focus on real behavior change. Whether designing training programs, leadership development initiatives, or performance support tools, readers will gain insights into applying behavioral science principles to create learning solutions that lead to measurable, lasting impact in the workplace.