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Developing learning professionals

by | May 23, 2016 | -Articles, News

russiandollcroppedWhen it comes to talking about developing learning professionals we’re so focused on supporting others that we can overlook our own development. But according to leading commentators like Charles Jennings, a new skill set is required for learning practitioners to meet the needs of a modern workforce. So how can we best support ourselves to keep evolving? Learning professionals came up with these tips at the #Why702010 event.

Strategy:

  • If we’re going to become ‘learning detectives’ then we need to understand what drives our organisations and become real business partners. Learning professionals in more junior roles may find this a challenge – can more senior practitioners facilitate this?
  • Give everyone – yourself included – permission to learn from projects and experiences. As Charles Jennings puts it: Can you afford NOT to reflect?
  • Remember that context is vital – what works in one organisation may not in another.
  • Ask yourself these simple questions: What are your barriers to change? What are the possible solutions?
  • Bring a curious, critical and open mind to work – keep asking questions.

Tactics:

  • Get HR & L&D together to break down barriers and become true business partners, working together as a team.
  • Steal ideas from journalism, broadcasting and modern marketing. Learning professionals can learn a lot about writing headlines, curation and capturing people’s attention from other professions.
  • Practice new skills in a safe environment e.g. using social media tools amongst your own team first before you roll them out.
  • Equip yourselves with new technology tools – and use them!
  • Develop performance consultancy skills – have a look at Nigel Harrison’s work for inspiration.

Further resources