Five ways to build a learning culture in your organisation
Today’s business world is constantly changing. With consumer expectations shifting, new technologies emerging and industry competitors innovating, staying the same is equal to stagnating. Your organisation is only as fresh and forward-thinking as its employees, so it’s imperative that your people are constantly developing.
Not only does continuous learning keep your company on the cutting edge, but it also offers plenty of benefits for employees as individuals too. So, how can you foster it in the workplace?
In this article, we’ll share five ways to build a learning culture in your organisation.
- Lead by example
As a leader, you set the standard for everyone else in your organisation. Junior members of staff will look up to you and follow the example you set. That’s why it’s crucial you demonstrate your commitment to learning and development. Regularly seek out new knowledge, share your learning experiences and encourage others around you to do the same.
- Cultivate a safe environment
Your employees aren’t likely to ask questions, share knowledge or seek feedback unless they feel safe to do so. Because of this, you need to foster an environment in which there are no perceived dangers associated with learning. This means not only encouraging open dialogue, experimentation and risk taking, but also reframing mistakes and failures as opportunities for growth.
- Provide resources
Learning requires resources, and your employees will be more motivated to learn if you provide them. Create a library of learning resources for your people, which could include books, workshops, webinars, online courses and conferences. Offering a wide selection of options allows different employees to explore and find the resources that best suit their learning styles and needs.
- Embrace technology
Modern organisations need modern approaches to learning. There’s plenty of technological solutions available to facilitate more engaging and effective learning, and you can leverage these to enhance the learning culture in your organisation. For instance, you could invest in a platform with an integrated Learning Management System (LMS) like People First, which lets users manage all their learning in one centralised hub.
- Recognise and reward
If you want your employees to stay motivated to learn over time, you need to acknowledge and reward the efforts they’re making. Emphasise the importance of learning for progression and award special recognition, salary increases and promotions for employees who successfully learn new skills and concretely implement them in the workplace.
The modern world is dynamic. Every industry is continuously and rapidly evolving. Companies that think they know it all will find themselves quickly left behind. But fostering a culture of learning will help your organisation adapt and innovate. And after reading our tips above, you should be much clearer on how you can do this.
