For decades, expertise has been the gold standard of performance at work. Today, its shelf life is shrinking.

In a world shaped by rapid change, AI, and constant reinvention, the ability to adapt is increasingly more valuable than what someone already knows. The challenge for learning professionals is not just building expertise, but helping people avoid Frozen Expertise—when past success quietly limits future growth—and develop the capacity to learn, unlearn, and relearn in real time.

In this interactive session, participants will explore a practical, human-centered approach to adaptability that complements technical skill development rather than competing with it. You’ll learn how to design learning experiences that encourage experimentation, reflection, and progress over perfection—what it means to help learners Grow in Beta.

This session blends research, storytelling, reflection, and hands-on tools participants can immediately apply in their own learning and development programs.

Matt A. West is an executive coach, speaker, and author of Bend, Don’t Break: How to Adapt in the New World of Work. He works with leaders and teams at global organizations to help them navigate uncertainty, change, and growth. His work sits at the intersection of learning, behavior change, and human-centered leadership, with a focus on helping people stay effective in constant change.