Learn or Die: The Importance of a Culture of Learning

Most organisations know that they should be promoting a culture of learning, but do they really understand its importance?

In this week’s blog we look at this crucial issue, because as we all know,  without the acquisition of new knowledge – the right knowledge – companies lose their edge, under-perform and fall behind the competition.

A Culture of Learning is Key to a company’s success

The Power of L&D

So, what does a culture of learning look like?  Well, most of us will know that it falls under the umbrella of Learning & Development, better known by its acronym, L&D.  And the first thing to understand about a learning culture is that it is a hallmark – and defining feature – of high-performance organisations.

New Knowledge/Skills = Better Performance

The most successful organisations actively cultivate and nurture an #organisationalculture where employees are encouraged – and challenged – to continuously seek out, share, and apply new knowledge and skills in order to improve individual and organisational performance.  And importantly, if the people in the know have created the right culture, those employees – at all levels –  will do so because they want to, not because they think they should.

Understanding why a culture of learning is so important motivates companies to nurture such a culture from within

Embed it in Your Company DNA

In companies where a culture of learning has become embedded in their DNA, there’s a recognition of – and an excitement about – the individual’s contribution to the ‘collective’ that is the organisation; everyone can see that the whole is somehow greater than the sum of its parts.  People take personal responsibility and actively seek out new knowledge, new experiences, in relation to their work and professional development because they know they are supported in doing so and because they understand and see the difference it makes to the bottom line.

Key to Retention

It’s also widely recognised that in companies with a strong learning culture, staff are happier, work harder and will stay put for longer, which at a time when staff retention is a key issue for many, is worth highlighting.

Coming up:  Event on Culture of Learning

Breakfast Event October 17th at the Merrion Hotel, Dublin, on the Culture of Learning

In recognition of the importance of promoting a learning culture in organisations, Personally Speaking has partnered with GP Strategies, a global leader in this area, to host a complimentary breakfast at the Merrion Hotel on October 17th, where three speakers (Nigel Paine, Dr Celine Mullins and Clare Dillon) will offer their perspective on the culture of learning.

Nigel Paine

Dr Celine Mullins

Clare Dillon

Speakers on a Culture of Learning

If you have an event coming up where you would like someone to speak or lead a workshop or panel on this topic, we also have a host of other leading speakers who bring their knowledge, insight and expertise in this area to the stage as MCs, keynote speakers and panellists.

Here they are.  If you would like to know more about any of these speakers for an event you’re planning, get in touch by emailing joanne@personallyspeakingbureau.com.

Margaret Heffernan

Entrepreneur, TED Speaker, Business Author & Former CEO

Neil O’Brien

Healthy Human Systems Advocate & Motivational Speaker

Tobias Degsell

CEO of Combiner and Creativity Expert

Deborah Rowland

Founder of Still Moving, Author and Anthropologist

Susan Cain

Best-selling Author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

Matthew Syed

Best-selling Author of Black Box Thinking and Bounce