Category: Learning Matters
Develop or Die
There seems to be a trend in development today… maybe you’ve noticed it. Perhaps because they’re woefully overburdened with spans of control that are inhuman and inhumane, or perhaps because training and development budgets have been cut to the bone yet again leaving in their wake a sense of scarcity, or perhaps because the corporate…
Carnival of HR: The Emerging Trends Edition
As mid-year approaches, it’s the ideal time to step back and reflect on some of the most profound Human Resources trends, patterns, and challenges… and, more importantly, identify what organizations could/should do to respond to them. Some of the best thinkers in the field share their observations and recommendations that HR – and all leaders…
A Challenge to the Training Function: Is Learning a Two-Way Street?
Despite high levels of engagement, facilitative delivery styles, and even attempts at user-generated content, most training is still a fairly one-way communication vehicle; the trainer shares information, guides some discussion, and builds the group’s knowledge… all of which is important. But learning professionals are exposed to a lot of valuable data and input in the…
Unconscious Competence or Catatonic Complacency?
If you’ve attended more than a workshop or two in your career, you’ve likely been introduced to the four stages of competence or the four stages of learning any new skill. Developed in the 1970’s by Noel Burch, this model describes the process by which new skills are acquired: Unconscious incompetence: You’re blissfully ignorant of…
Closing the Door… on Closure
Poll ten highly successful people and you’ll likely find that nine have a very high need for closure. You know that you’re among them if you: Feel most comfortable when a meeting ends with a good recap and solid next steps. Get an unusual sense of satisfaction out of crossing things off your to-do list.…
Evaluating Social Media: Metrics that Matter
I know that it’s customary to set goals, evaluate results, or just think and plan in terms of years. But for me, nine months is the magic number. Maybe it’s because with a thoughtful nine-month assessment, there’s still time left to course-correct and deliver annual results. Or maybe it’s because if one cell can become…