In this episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, host Kyle King breaks down the professional development paradox in emergency management.

As challenges grow more complex and interdependent, senior leaders are often stuck between outdated training models and increasing demands. Many find that after 15 years, professional growth slows, leaving them intellectually stranded.

Kyle highlights the false choice between tactical training and generic leadership courses, and argues for a third path: intellectual infrastructure that connects seasoned professionals across fields. Drawing from research and real-world conversations, he challenges listeners to rethink how expertise evolves and why staying curious is essential.

Show Highlights

[00:53] Training cycles vs fast-moving demands
[01:40] Fundamentals and cross-sector challenges
[02:05] After-action reviews and slow adaptation
[03:14] Climate, cyber, and supply chain risks
[03:40] Generalist or tactical: a false choice
[04:09] Two categories of development, and the gap
[05:11] Burnout, low pay, and lack of strategy
[06:20] The silo trap of deep expertise
[07:33] Routine vs adaptive expertise
[09:42] Why leadership programs fall short
[11:06] The convergence of complexity and missing support
[12:02] What intellectual infrastructure should provide
[14:23] The Forum as a new model
[16:00] When were you last curious about your field?

If that question made you pause, you are not alone. Many experienced professionals are facing complex challenges with training models that no longer fit the realities they work in.

The Forum at Crisis Lab was created to give senior leaders a space to learn with peers, test new ideas, and stay sharp in a changing environment.

🔗 Apply now at crisislab.io/theforum