What steps would you take as a leader to create a continuous learning and growth culture within your team?


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CIO in Finance (non-banking), 51 - 200 employees
Creating a culture of continuous learning and growth within an IT team is an integral part of ensuring your team stays on the cutting edge of technology, is adaptable to changing trends and requirements, and is motivated and engaged. Here are several steps you can take as a leader:

1. Lead by Example: Show that you, too, are committed to learning and growth. Keep updated with the latest technology, leadership, and team management, and share your insights and experiences with your team. Show that you're not afraid of learning new things, even as a leader.

2. Promote Open Communication: Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas, thoughts, and challenges. This can foster a culture of shared learning, where everyone learns from each other's experiences.

3. Offer Learning Opportunities: Provide access to learning resources such as online courses, workshops, and conferences. Set up a resource library and encourage team members to share relevant articles, videos, and other resources.

4. Encourage Skill Development: Give your team opportunities to develop and use new skills. This could be through new projects, internal transfers, or special assignments. Recognize and reward those who can learn and apply new skills.

5. Create Learning Plans: Work with each team member to create an individual learning plan. This plan should align with their career goals, the skills they want to develop, and the team and organization's needs. 

6. Regular Feedback: Provide regular, constructive feedback. This helps team members understand where they're doing well and where they need to improve. Encourage team members to give feedback to each other as well.

7. Recognize and Reward Learning: Reward those who try to learn and grow. This could be through public recognition, promotions, bonuses, or other forms of reward. Make it clear that learning and growth are valued in your team.

8. Continuous Improvement: Promote a mindset of continuous improvement. Encourage team members to constantly look for ways to do things better, faster, or more efficiently.

9. Foster a Safe Environment: Ensure your team members feel safe to make and learn from mistakes. Learning involves trial and error, and team members should not fear repercussions for making mistakes during the learning process.

10. Promote Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Encourage team members to share their knowledge and experiences. This could be through presentations, team meetings, or informal chats. The more knowledge is shared, the more everyone in the team learns.

By taking these steps, you can foster a continuous learning and growth culture, which can benefit the individual team members and the organization.
2 1 Reply
CIO / Managing Partner in Manufacturing, 2 - 10 employees

That’s a fantastic answer, I really have very little to add to it.

Chief Information Officer in IT Services, Self-employed
Create time and the opportunity for the team to learn while at the same time emphasising the fact they own their own development. Too often team members want training because they feel they should be training. Other times they want a company to work it out for them. Others equate training with an external course. I am a huge fan of the 70-20-10 model within a continuous learning environment where what you know you show to others and you take responsibility for your own learning within a supportive ‘career mapped’ t shaped career encouraged environment. 
CIO in Education, 1,001 - 5,000 employees
Working in a technical environment demands that each task has to be performed by a competent person. As a CIO i am fortunate in that i started at the bottom of the IT skill set and studied throughout my career to get to the CIO level. My team is encouraged and get inspiration through a leader whose history reflects continuous learning and being competent as pillars.

 

In my capacity as a leader i have created a culture of developing oneself throughout my entire division by position competence and continuous improvement through training and writing of exams as priorities for my division. The training budget is located in my office and each year employees should be improving themselves in all types of skills within ICT and in particular those that fit the current circumstances.

 

Incentives are also made to those who succeed to reflect management support and consolidate the culture of studying. There is now collaboration with pother certified professionals that I engage to assist my aspiring team members for coaching and guidance as they venture into studies. The fear of failing has been eradicated and every employee who ventures into new territory through new skills and advancement is given enough time to indulge in studies  prepare for examinations.

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