Who Really Owns Learning: The Organisation or the Learner?

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” — Benjamin Franklin

At DelphianLogic, we believe learning is a dynamic conversation, not a one-sided lecture. It’s a vibrant journey fueled by curiosity, innovation, and the diverse voices of those we serve. Recently, our internal dialogues sparked a compelling question that resonates across the corporate learning landscape: Who truly drives the learning process? How can we engage learners in a way that inspires lasting change?

This isn't merely a theoretical discussion; it’s an exploration of how genuine collaboration and learner empowerment can reshape our approach to corporate education. Join us as we unravel insights from five passionate Delphians — Mike Mazur , Anindita Gupta , Rochelle Manuel , Marsha Fernandes , and Saurabh Ganguli — are pushing the boundaries of what learning can—and should—be.

Take the perspective of Anindita Gupta (Vice President - Learning Content Solutions), for example. In her recent reflections, she highlighted a startling statistic:

“Companies spend billions every year on learning. According to the 42nd Training Magazine annual training industry report for US companies, the total training expenditure in the US for 2022-23 was in excess of $100 billion. Globally, this number is much higher. Yet, more than 70% of the learning that is designed by our industry is ineffective or loses relevance within 1 to 3 years.”

This insight strikes a chord—despite immense investment, the outcomes often fall short. The problem, Anindita pointed out, lies in the traditional top-down approach, where management often decides what learning should look like without engaging the learners themselves in the process. But what if we flipped that? What if learning could be designed from the bottom up, actively involving learners in shaping solutions?

“What if we designed learning from the bottom up, engaging learners to pinpoint their actual challenges?”

Through our #ProjectEmpathy at the #DesignThinkingGarage, we’ve been exploring exactly that. The goal? To create learning solutions that not only address current needs but also equip learners to face future challenges confidently. Anindita summed it up perfectly:

“The long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment, leading to more effective and sustainable learning outcomes.”

At DelphianLogic, this learner-centred approach isn't just a concept—it’s the foundation of how we work. @Mike Mazur (Group Vice President, The Americas), a strong advocate for engagement, builds on this idea. He asked a crucial question in his recent reflections:

“How do we create engagement with learning that doesn’t just capture attention momentarily but sustains it for lasting impact?”

Mike emphasises that engagement stems from empowering learners, giving them ownership over their learning journey. When learners have control, engagement becomes continuous and self-driven. He shared a real-world success story of a micro-learning platform we implemented for a pharmaceutical company. The results spoke volumes: a 55.9% subscription rate among users, proving that learner-driven, bottom-up learning strategies deliver impactful results.

“This shift is essential for equipping learners with the adaptability required to navigate complexities confidently,” - Mike remarked.

But engagement goes beyond just providing autonomy—it’s about how we deliver the learning itself. That’s where storytelling comes into play. Rochelle Manuel (Instructional Designer) brought this to light when she said,

“Storytelling is the secret sauce that turns ordinary learning into something unforgettable.”??

Rochelle knows that stories have the power to transform mundane content into experiences that stick.

“Imagine learning that’s as engaging as binge-watching your favourite series,” she suggested. Stories don’t just inform; they inspire. They connect learners emotionally to the content, making it memorable. It’s a call to push the boundaries and ensure that our stories aren’t just fillers—they must drive genuine, lasting engagement.

Another Delphian who embodies this philosophy, Marsha Nesamani (Senior Manager - Learning Content Solutions) took it one step further. She posed a simple yet profound question:

“Are we telling stories or just filling pages?”?

In her experience with onboarding programs, Marsha saw how new hire narratives can make a profound difference in creating a sense of belonging and purpose.

“It’s easy to rely on tried-and-true methods, but we need to challenge ourselves to dive deeper,” she asserted. Authenticity is key—tapping into real, resonant stories is what makes learners feel connected and engaged, ensuring they’re active participants in their own development rather than passive recipients.

Rounding out the conversation, Saurabh Ganguli (CEO and Co-founder of DelphianLogic) offered his perspective on engagement:

“It’s not about what you give; it’s about what they take away. Engagement doesn’t come from you; it comes from them!”?

At DelphianLogic, we’ve long believed that true engagement comes from sparking curiosity, making learners feel part of something larger than themselves. Saurabh captured this perfectly when he said, “We’re not just delivering learning; we’re creating moments that resonate. Engagement isn’t about participation; it’s about transformation.” That’s what we aim for in every learning experience we design—transformative moments that challenge, inspire, and empower learners to think differently and act with greater confidence in their roles.

The future lies in empowering learners to take control of their own journeys, ensuring that the learning we deliver doesn’t just check boxes but creates meaningful, lasting impact.

As we continue to drive these powerful conversations on transforming learning, we invite you to take a moment and reflect—what could your organisation achieve with a bottom-up, learner-centric approach? At DelphianLogic, we’re passionate about creating learning experiences that don’t just educate but empower. Want to know how we can help you transform your learning strategies into something that resonates, engages, and inspires? Let’s Talk.

Dive deeper into how we’re transforming learning at DelphianLogic? Check out the original pieces by these brilliant minds:

• Bottom-Up Learning Solutions - It's Time to Flip the Script by Anindita Gupta
• A Reflection on Learner-Centred Strategies ?by Mike Mazur
• Stories That Stick: Art of Narration in Learning Design by Rochelle Manuel
• Are We Telling Stories or Just Filling Pages? By Marsha Fernandes
• How can we elevate engagement in learning beyond mere participation? By Saurabh Ganguli