Performance vs. Learning: Why the Difference Matters in L&D

As instructional designers and learning professionals, we spend a lot of time thinking about two big goals: performance and learning. While they’re connected, they’re definitely not the same thing—and understanding that difference can help us create better learning experiences.

Performance is all about short-term wins—hitting specific targets, mastering tasks, or meeting KPIs. It’s about getting results now and often focuses on immediate problems or challenges.

Learning, though, is more about the long game. It’s the process of developing new skills, changing behaviors, and growing over time. Real learning may not always lead to instant results, but it’s what helps people adapt, innovate, and succeed down the road.

So, how do we design for both? It’s about creating experiences that blend immediate impact with future growth. For performance, this might mean focusing on hands-on practice, clear objectives, and real-world application. For learning, we need to build in reflection, experimentation, and opportunities to explore beyond the task at hand. This could be as simple as follow-up coaching, discussion groups, or continuous learning paths that push people to think critically and challenge their assumptions.

Finding that balance helps learners not just perform today but thrive tomorrow!

"Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence." — Abigail Adams