Sustainable learning by taking a LITE approach

Today, in the digital economy, many professionals including the gig workforce are actively seeking new and emerging skills to prepare better themselves to be future-ready. On the other front, employers are also looking for talents that have both the breadth and depth of skills needed not just to do the work well but also to innovate and support their organisation to leapfrog the competition.

There is a myriad of executive programmes available as face-to-face, online, peer-coaching, on-the-job, blended learning and many more. The last few years have seen a relentless barrage of readily accessible information on the cyberspace with online education becoming cheaper and faster. With a vast number of programmes to choose from, how can we ensure that the learnings are valuable, sufficient and made practical to be able to apply effectively at their current job or even emerging ones?

Before answering the question, an important point to address is the motivation to learn and to take charge of our learning in order to grow. The mindset needs to switch gear to be more open to new and integrate the present capabilities that we possess.

One approach is to apply LITE in making learning sustainable and impactful.

What is LITE in learning?

LITE is an acronym name for a learning approach as follows:

Light-design: Select learning materials or job aids that are concise and sufficient for the work outcomes. Succinct video instructions or even ‘live virtual coaching’ by your manager may produce better retention of learning.

Intentional: Be laser-focused on what you really need to learn. Set your targets and milestones and leverage on the outcomes of the learning resources required for optimum work performance.

Transferable: Use existing portable skills (such as problem-solving, communication, critical thinking to connect new learnings) to support the transfer learning to performance more effective. Consistently, review new learnings and stretch your ability to apply them in other areas of work.

Experience-driven: Learning by doing. Leverage on the experience of learning and reflections to make learning more impactful.

The main principles of behind the LITE approach are just-in-time, bite-sized, flexible, values-centric, collaborative and experiential learning. These principles are integrated and together with a positive mindset to achieve more sustainable learning outcomes.

Why use LITE?

Here are some benefits for individuals as well as organisations:

·      More targeted learning for work performance

·      Better utilisation of resources needed (accessible learning materials and job aids)

·      Increase overall work productivity

·      Improve alignment of values (instil a sense of purpose for meaningful learning)

·      Encourage more seamless workplace collaborations

·      Foster continuous improvement mindset

Three steps to apply LITE for sustainable learning

1.     Plan your learning journey. Intentionally link the learning targets to work outcomes and emerging skills for new tasks.

2.      Adapt your existing repertoire of skills and strengths when learning new skills. Tap on your community or peers to exchange relevant learnings moments, challenges and experiences.

3.     Develop habits to practice learning by doing and continuously improve your performance.

The LITE approach is a journey of lifelong exploration of what works well and continuing to retool and revitalise your repertoire of skills to be future-ready.

The Takeaway

Learning is a journey and not a destination. Successful learning doesn’t just stop at the point of certification or completion of the training programme, the journey starts and accumulates with every learning moment at work or outside work where it can be formal or informal. LITE can offer as an alternative approach in guiding individuals to learn effectively and sustainably.