Celebrating the Voices of Black L&D Executives: An Interview with Kason Morris, Global Director, Future of Work and Skills-Based Organization Strategy at Merck

CLN’s interview series is celebrating the voices of Black L&D Executives for Black History Month. In this Q&A, Kason Morris, Global Director, Future of Work and Skills-Based Organization Strategy at Merck, shares his story, his thoughts on skills strategy and the future of work, and more!

How did you get into L&D?

Starting my career out of college in luxury brand marketing immediately highlighted the critical role of skills and teamwork in executing business outcomes. This early experience, combined with pursuing a dual master’s degree at NYU focused on business and human development, laid the groundwork for my deep dive into human potential and organizational growth. Transitioning from startups emphasizing diversity for business growth to strategic roles at Accenture, to lead L&D roles at high-tech startups and other high-powered Fortune 100s, my path has been driven by a passion for harnessing Learning and performance to empower individuals and organizations. This journey has equipped me to lead in the evolving workforce, advocating for a future where every professional can fully realize their potential.

So far, what has been the most rewarding part of working in L&D?

The essence of my work in L&D is championing progress over perfection. Historically, L&D has strived to transcend its transactional confines, aspiring to become a strategic ally in driving performance and business outcomes. The most rewarding aspect of my journey across various L&D roles has been defined by a deep commitment to this vision, advocating for growth, innovation, well-being, and strategic partnership for the function over transactional execution. By adopting the voice of the customer and focusing on their desired outcomes, I've aimed to not only meet immediate needs but also embed transformative strategies that align L&D with the core priorities of the business. This approach, rooted in my consulting background, has empowered me to navigate complex landscapes and assert L&D's role as an indispensable resource in shaping the future of work.

Can you talk a bit about your new role at Merck?

In my role as Global Director for Future of Work and Skills-Based Organization Strategy at Merck, I'm pioneering the charge towards redefining talent development and integrating life-work design into the fabric of corporate strategy. This role allows me to blend forward-thinking with practical innovation and technological advancements, fostering an environment where every team member can thrive. By focusing on skills as the language of the future. It's a privilege to lead efforts in creating a common thread through using skills data and intelligence across HR capabilities and organizational dynamics, ensuring our workforce is not just prepared but thriving in the evolving work landscape.

What are you most excited about regarding the future of L&D?

The future of L&D excites me for its potential to redefine professional development through the lens of emerging technologies and life-work design. Emerging technologies like generative AI heralds a new era for L&D, making the concept of a skills-based organization and well-being intelligence not just aspirational but achievable. This paradigm shift marks a significant milestone, allowing L&D to transcend traditional boundaries and truly integrate skills throughout the employee lifecycle. The potential for L&D to evolve into a strategic partner, leveraging data for personalized, impactful learning experiences, excites me. It signifies a transformative leap towards aligning talent development with the nuanced, dynamic needs of both individuals and the broader business strategy, helping drive talent retention and performance.

Any closing thoughts?

As we look toward the future of work, I believe that using emerging technologies to build well-being intelligence along with skill intelligence is increasingly critical. My vision is to foster a work world where professionals and organizations alike recognize the value of continuous employee growth as a core component of sustainable business success and take shared ownership in it. By embracing innovative practices, and life-work design, we can equip people and build a future where work is not only about achieving professional milestones but also about living our best lives. I'm committed to guiding this journey, equipping individuals and organizations with the insights and strategies to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of work.