The future of L&D in evolving workspaces
In the latest episode of Nuggets with Sauce, I spoke with Bernie DeSantis in an impassioned discussion on the transformative power of proper training and the identification of natural teachers within the business sphere. As workplaces evolve at an almost blinding pace, our conversation serves as a timely guidepost for steering companies toward success through strategic learning and development.
Identifying Natural Educators in the Corporate Landscape
Not all subject matter experts wear the mantle of educator well. Our conversation breaks down this misconception, noting the need of distinguishing those who not only possess knowledge but also the inherent skill to impart it. This distinction is paramount, as the wrong choice could lead to a cascade of errors, customer dissatisfaction, and degraded service quality. The imperative is clear: locate potential teachers who embody the knack for training and coax out their teaching capabilities.
Training as a Cornerstone for Quality and Customer Contentment
The effectiveness of an organization's training program can significantly influence its overall prosperity and customer contentment. Bernie's near two-decade experience echoes this sentiment, underscoring experiential learning's unparalleled value, a point proven by the efficacy of his personalized training sessions and the improvements his clients see as a result.
Multi-Generational Learning: Bridging the Divide
Our conversation touched on multi-generational workforces—the need to cultivate training that bridges communication gaps and fuses differing perspectives into a more unified corporate culture. Companies must adapt and provide continuous opportunities for learning to live up to the varied expectations of veteran employees and the influx of a younger workforce craving (and needing) development and growth.
Leadership Evolution and Cultural Growth
The days of top-down, dictator-like leadership styles are numbered (thankfully!), giving way to a more inclusive and nurturing paradigm. Bernie points out that a leader's speed and style sets the group's pace and tone, emphasizing the upper level’s important role in fostering a growth-centric culture where coaching and continual learning are not optional but essential.
The Fallacy of Cutting Essential Functions
In an era where organizations hastily slash learning and development roles to cut costs, we shred the shortsightedness of such decisions. We advocate for strategic thinking, where the long-term benefits of training and development reign over the superficial gains from cost reductions. Foregoing these critical functions could lead the company away from progress and innovation, resulting in a stagnant workforce ill-equipped for future challenges.
Experiential Learning vs. E-Learning: Finding the Balance
Our conversation pivots to the inadequacy of e-learning as the sole approach for adult education. Instead, we argue for experiential learning that fosters real-world skills and personal connections. We highlight the need for workshops that empower rather than inundate employees, a sentiment that resonates with countless professionals who have experienced the overwhelming flood of information typical of poorly structured sessions.
Adaptation is the New Normal
Our deep dive explores the transformation within business operations and training methods necessitated by the pandemic. Companies were compelled to adopt virtual platforms, necessitating a reevaluation of training strategies to cater to disparate learning styles and needs. Wrapping up, we both contend that the learning and development domain must recognize and adapt to individualized learning preferences for truly effective training outcomes.
Speaking with Bernie DeSantis created a thoughtful examination of how businesses can recognize and nurture teaching talent, advocate for a culture of growth, and pivot learning strategies to align with an ever-evolving workplace landscape. To truly excel in this new era of business, companies must prioritize continual learning and development as a primary driver of success.