Learning communities transform organisations through sharing knowledge, spearheading practice, solving problems, seeding innovation, and supercharging development. So how can you develop a culture of learning in your organisation? In this episode, Andy Lancaster addresses this question - and many more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• From the very start of humankind people have learned from each other, often in groups. Animals do it too.
• Learning from friends and colleagues is seen by practically everyone as being the most effective way to learn.
• People like human connection and want to feel they belong, so peer connection is powerful.
• The best learning takes place in context.
• Learning communities can be just a few people. 
• We need to empower different types of learning communities.
• Learning communities share knowledge, spearhead practice, solve problems, seed innovation, and supercharge development.
• What the group does needs to be structured to a degree.
• Encourage people to work aloud to ensure everyone is actively involved.
• Reward the subject experts.

BEST MOMENTS

'The social context in which we learn is really important.'

'I think reflective practice ought to be embedded in all learning and development.'

'Subject experts play a vital role in communities in terms of coaching, mentoring and supporting.'

'Communities are a way of validating skills, which maybe organizations overlook. '

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/

Andy Lancaster Bio

Andy Lancaster is the Chief Learning Officer at Reimagine People Development consultancy, specializing in supporting, coaching and mentoring learning leaders and teams to create impactful development strategies and solutions, transform learning cultures and empower socialized learning communities. The former Head of Learning at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Andy is a trusted thinker, commentator and inspiring speaker, renowned for his insights that have helped reshape the organizational learning landscape globally. His book Driving Performance Through Learning gained a Business Book Award.

You can follow and connect with Andy via:

Twitter: @AndyLancasterUK

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-lancaster-ab995418/

Book: https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/organizational-learning-communities-9781398615496

ABOUT THE HOST

David James 

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT METHOD 

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/ 
• L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective/
• Blog: https://360learning.com/blog/
• L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/