Editorial
In today's dynamic work environment, investing in employee skill development is no longer optional — it's essential for organizational success. The rapidly evolving landscape of automation, AI and job markets necessitates a commitment to lifelong learning for professional success. Investment in employee development leads to high-performing teams that consistently drive business success. Successful companies recognize and champion growth and innovation, in turn, leading to engaged, happier employees. In fact, a study from LinkedIn found that companies with a strong learning culture saw 57% higher rates of employee retention. Everything is connected in a cycle of success.
Now that we understand learning is critical to personal and organizational success, here are some ways you can facilitate a team culture that values and celebrates learning.
READY. (Mindset)
Develop a growth mindset.
Building a team that thrives on continuous learning and development starts with you. By embracing a growth mindset yourself and actively promoting it within your team, you'll cultivate a high-performing and engaged workforce. This fosters a mutually beneficial environment where both your employees and your organization can flourish.
Create a vision for the culture of growth you want to create.
Redefine “Learning” for yourself and your team. Break away from what types of things we think of as “learning” and move into developing learning itself as a skill that invites curiosity and welcomes change. Ask yourself: How can we shift our focus from seeking isolated learning opportunities to continuously discovering learning moments woven into our daily work? What would that look like?
Prioritize growth.
Communicate the learning advantage: clearly articulate the value and benefits of learning for individuals, teams and the entire organization. Highlight the alignment with strategic business goals, its impact on employee engagement and retention, and the exciting career development opportunities it unlocks. Get your team excited to build skills and face change from a place of empowerment and development versus fear and uncertainty.
SET. (Prepare the Field)
Set expectations.
Initiate development conversations with your team members to determine their learning and career goals. According to the LinkedIn report, advancing career goals was the number one reason employees gave to spend more time learning. You can also help them connect their development goals to team and organization goals. Document and track those goals as you do all other performance indicators.
Know your learning ecosystem.
See beyond the LMS! Your Learning Management System (LMS) is a valuable tool, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. To truly empower your team, explore the full learning ecosystem your organization offers. Speak to your L&D or people teams to discover what’s available to you and your team. In addition to LMS or self paced learning and resources, your company may also offer:
- Learning partners: Tap into the expertise of external providers your organization may partner with, like LinkedIn Learning or Cornerstone OnDemand.
- Continuing education: Take advantage of educational benefits to pursue relevant courses and certifications.
- Professional development events: Expand your knowledge at conferences, webinars and workshops supported by your organization.
By venturing beyond the LMS and embracing the full spectrum of learning opportunities, you can empower yourself and your team to excel.
Related Article: Virtual Learning Has an Engagement Problem. Here’s What You Can Do
Grow! (Play)
Create the space.
Provide the tools, resources, and a supportive environment that encourages experimentation. Empower your team to take ownership of their development and explore new ideas that drive success.
Make the time!
Don't just say it, show it! Block out dedicated time for your team's development. Encourage them to take ownership of their growth by:
- Setting SMART goals: Collaborate with each team member to establish Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals for their development.
- Regular development check-ins: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings to discuss progress, address challenges and create action plans.
- Celebrate achievements: Recognize and celebrate milestones along the way to keep motivation high.
- Make learning a team effort: Foster a collaborative environment where team members can learn from and support each other.
Make it a team sport.
Encourage camaraderie by doing the following:
- Identify top skills as a team. What skills does your team need to stay competitive and successful?
- Share ways to create time. Be open about making time for development. Encourage regular discussions among the team on what and how they are learning.
- Embrace every experience as a learning opportunity. While setbacks offer valuable lessons, successes can also be incredibly insightful. Analyze wins (in addition to losses) with the team to identify what worked well, how your team functioned most effectively, and areas for further optimization.
- Encourage. Celebrate. Discuss.
Conference
Oct
20
Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
Conference
Oct
27
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
Lead by Learning.
Your commitment to continuous learning sets the tone for your team. Openly discuss your own skill development journey. Share interesting things you've learned and how you're applying them. Talk about your mistakes and lessons learned. Model the behavior you want to see to foster an environment where everyone feels empowered to learn and evolve.
You can empower your team to thrive in today's dynamic world by embracing a growth mindset, fostering a supportive environment and actively participating in your own development. By cultivating a learning culture within your team, you're not just investing in individual development, you're laying the foundation for long-term organizational success.
Remember, learning is a continuous cycle. As your team grows and evolves, they'll bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table, further propelling the organization forward. This, in turn, creates an environment that fosters continued learning and development — a virtuous cycle that ensures your team and your organization stay competitive and thrive in the ever-changing world of work.
Learn how you can join our contributor community.
