What 2024 Taught Us About What Really Matters in Talent Development and Career Growth

You know how we've all been buzzing about AI and skill frameworks? Well, here's the eye-opener - the breakthroughs came from understanding how individuals grow, connect, and perform. We saw technology as serving the human purpose and experience and not replacing the human element.

Working as a fractional Chief Learning Officer with various organizations and coaching individuals this year, I got to see the proof of what matters.

Sure, we used AI and other cool tools, but only when they helped individuals to connect, grow and shape their performance.

Let me share five big realizations that shaped our approach:

1. Not Just New Skills, But Real Experience - Getting certificates is great, but you know what's surprising? I saw many mid-career professionals with all the right certifications in new tech - Cloud and AI but struggled to find a break in jobs asking for these skills because they didn't have ways to actually use these skills. It's like having a toolbox but no on-the-job real project to work on! It is more important to create environments / sandboxes for people to apply rather than only creating complicated skills taxonomies.

2. L&D's focus on "microlearning", "gamification", "personalization" misses the focus on how individuals grow and learn. What makes the real difference is taking the time to understand what each person needs, their daily challenges, how they connect with each other, and where they want to go. When we did this, the individuals reflected and invested more in their growth!

3. Not Just Doing, But Reflection - You see what we realized that the impact of learning shines brightest when individuals can reflect on their doing and not just doing or gaining new skills.

A powerful question to reflect on - What was the state of my mind and heart while I was doing it? The question is not "how much did I accomplish?" or "how perfect was it?" when doing the task rather than did I achieve the result.

The double-loop feedback format was well received.

4. Not New Learning Technology, But Use of Existing Enterprise Technology - Tapping existing enterprise technology in the organization enabled us to create solutions that were cost-effective as well as offer a range of them - such as mobile, social, easily update content in real time. Including AI. Enterprise Technology had AI tools embedded and ready for use. ( Such as Copilot and others.)

5. Not Technology First, But Human Connection First - Don't get me wrong - AI is fantastic! But it drives impact on productivity and performance when it helps people to understand their own performance, provide a safe space to do so, connect with resources, and collaborate better. Think of it as your helpful partner, co-creator and not your replacement.

Looking ahead to 2025, I'm excited ?about exploring and answering these questions: How can individual professionals get a chance to not only gain but apply new skill in meaningful ways so it counts as experience for a job.

It's not just about learning Cloud or AI or Python or Critical Thinking - it's about finding real opportunities to apply these skills in meaningful ways so that it can add weight to your Resume/CV and career path.

I will continue to focus on what drives people to do love and do better what they are doing and explore different perspectives such as neuroscientific ways.

As we wrap up 2024, I want to say a big thank you for being part of this journey. Your stories, insights, and support have made this year truly special. Here’s to a Happy New Year—one filled with growth, success, and plenty of good vibes!

To dive deeper, here are some articles I’ve written that explore specific 'how-tos' related to this approach.

These pieces resonated well with readers and offers practical strategies

Performance Enhacement Solution

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/performance-enhacement-solution-sonia-pbv8c/

How to uncover what individuals need? Is it possible to scale it?

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/3-super-easy-practices-help-me-build-learner-sonia/?trackingId=jDYRpDdSR4qzqLCkO7uO%2Fw%3D%3D

Skills, Skills-Based - Help or Hindrance?

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/skills-skills-based-help-hindrance-sonia-znyqc/

Skills Mapping from Sweat Beads to Easy Solution in Under 3 Minutes! See How!

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/skills-mapping-from-sweat-beads-easy-solution-under-3-sonia-pubbf/

Using Enterprise Technology Over Traditional Learning Platforms: Why, What, and How

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/using-enterprise-technology-over-traditional-learning-sonia/

What is the connection between the learner pipeline and L&D success?

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/what-connection-between-learner-pipeline-ld-success-sonia/

I'd love to hear your thoughts! What has shaped your approach to L&D in 2024? What's made the biggest impact for you, and what hasn't?

If you want to delve deeper into any of these practices, I've blocked out some time for free 'coffee chat' sessions until the end of August.

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