Three Questions Series: #4

With Mark Arneill, Senior Market Analyst at Towards Maturity

?? What's one thing you're most excited about around the future of work and learning?

Mark: The “future of work is human”. In a world of automation, it’s interesting to read numerous sources quote that the C-suite are highlighting the need to develop new skills and capabilities in what is a rapidly evolving workplace, with a particular focus on soft skill development. This presents a fantastic opportunity for L&D to take center stage and drive greater business impact through learning.

I believe L&D will start to see that buying more tech is not giving us the results we desire; therefore, we will be looking to up-skill ourselves and drive real performance consulting conversations that deliver the behavioral change desired by the business.

Winning the war on talent is no longer about who can pay the most, it’s about who can offer the best opportunities for the individual to grow and develop as a person, the best organisations are already recognizing this and changing their L&D and talent strategies in line with this more agile approach.

??What's your approach to your own learning/self-development?

Mark: I think like most people, I use a variety of methods depending on what I’m learning. From reading, watching videos, listening to an expert to working alongside someone and then just doing it! As long as I’m continually learning, usually from my mistakes, then I can do it better next time!

I think too many people fear failure, but providing you learn from it & do something different, you continue to learn and grow. I’m also quite reflective which I think often helps to solidify any learning taking place.

?? What's your current favorite learning-related resource, writer/speaker, anecdote or quote?

Mark: So many to choose from, but only being able to select one quote I’ll go with the great Albert Einstein – “I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn”.

I think this sits really well within the corporate L&D world. We can’t make people learn, we can’t make people have the right skills and capabilities they need for their job. All we can do is provide the right conditions to enable them to become self-determined in their approach (Heutagogy anyone?!) by offering the right learning experiences and creating the right environment(s).  

Do join the discussion via the comments, and check back at #3Q4 to follow this series.

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