Feature
An optimal learning culture is one that works for everyone
At the risk of being dismissed as an armchair expert, I thought it might be useful to dig into what the data says. In Unlocking Potential, we explored what L&D behaviours correlated back to wider cultural issues such as innovation, collaboration and being an attractive place to work. The culture influencers in the study provide some pointers that remain useful today3
:
• Help individuals and teams learn how to connect and share (Citi were great at this in their #BeMore programme4
).
• Help managers develop challenging stretch tasks or new work experiences for their teams to help build new skills.
• Begin and end your formal learning interventions in the workplace – routinely work with managers to ensure objectives are discussed up front and to help them help their team members apply learning.
• Create a great learning culture in the spaces that you are responsible for. Let managers experience how trust, safety, reflection, and space to practice can make a difference in the learning you design for them. Help them see the power of learning through working. Give them experiences to change their lives and tools to transfer that back to their teams (Check out how this worked for Ahmed5
).
• Celebrate successes – recognise achievement and let managers and business leaders know.
Is there such a thing as an optimal learning culture? I am not so sure – ‘optimal’ implies best and if we are all aiming for the same goals, we are veering once again into the ‘one- size-fits-all’ territory. Instead, let’s focus on understanding the learning culture that best fits your
organisation, your team or you. What is the environment that we want to habitually reinforce that will ensure that those around us continue to be equipped and ready for the future of work? And what do we need to do as L&D professionals to deposit into that culture on a day-to-day basis? I’d love to know your thoughts, so join us at the World of Learning Conference panel session, “The optimal learning culture”, on Wednesday 11 October (1.35pm) to share – and gain – some insights! n
Laura Overton is an L&D Analyst and Founder of Learning Changemakers. As well as the learning culture panel, Laura will be facilitating the closing session on day 1 of the World of Learning Conference (Tuesday 10 October) “The L&D Exchange – Addressing the skills challenge” and is exploring “Evidence informed strategies for working smarter not harder” with Andy Lancaster on day 2 (Wednesday 11 October)
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3. Unlocking potential: Releasing the potential of the business and its people through learning page 59 4. Citi Bank #BeMore 5. The powerful impact of leaders who learn – Ahmed El Hamaky’s story
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