Leadership development is people-centered
Everyone agrees that leadership development should be a people-centered activity, but technology is changing everything we do. Digital learning will surely be part of the leadership development mix. How do we do it well?
Leadership development and digital learning
Leigh is a young woman I know who works for a large organization. Like everyone else, Leigh has a smartphone that’s loaded with apps to help her do all kinds of things, except learn at work. There, in her words, “It’s like I was transported to 1955 and have to find the right file cabinet.â€
Leigh’s situation may be drastic, but she’s not alone. The folks at IEDP conclude that “Digital learning is not keeping up with the expectations of younger managers.”
Digital learning and millennial expectations
Leigh’s not asking for much. She’d like to be able to learn things when she feels the need, in the workflow, easily. She wants it to be helpful and actionable. And, when necessary, she wants it to be company-specific.
To make that work for her, you need to make learning available from her phone. She points out that she’s not always at her computer and she doesn’t always have her tablet, but she’s always got her phone.
The people part
Digital learning in the workflow is important, but it’s an information-based activity. It doesn’t help much with context, so it doesn’t help much with development. But, Leigh can use her phone find people at your company who can help her answer her questions, who can help her grow, and develop. Don’t just make it easy to find information. Make it easy to find the right people, too.
