1.
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
WORKS IN THE GRAY SPACE
Dennis Callahan
linkedin.com/denniscallahan @denniscallahan

2.
AGENDA
HELLO. 1
2
3
10min
How to support organizational
& self directed learning
The two views of workplace
learning
The six components of
workplace learning
Q&A

3.
LEARNING HAPPENS
Everywhere
not
Somewhere

4.
Everywhere
not
Somewhere
SO, WHY HAS L&D VIEWED THIS AS
…LEARNING HAPPENS

5.
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
If the organization has goals and L&D creates
learning experiences to help achieve these goals…

6.
Viewing learning primarily from the organization
perspective brings has two concerns…

7.
Digs L&D deeper into the “course model”

8.
When viewing from organizational perspective,
“something” is often created that results in
some form of a “course”

9.
And we’ve built up an infrastructure
to feed and support the “course”

10.
LEAVING L&D
TENDING THE
“COURSE”
FARM

11.
YUVAL NOAH
HARARI
SUGGEST
THAT…
Wheat
domesticated
humans—
rather than the
other way around.

12.
HAVE COURSES
DOMESTICATED
L&D?

13.
THE SECOND ISSUE…
When viewing from the
organizational perspective the
most important part of the
organization is missing.
The most important part being…

14.
The people inside the organization.

15.
People have learning needs and
desires that exist outside of what the
organization and L&D offers.

16.
People are more empowered than ever and
are taking ownership of their own learning.

17.
You need to consider both the
organizational and individual perspective.

18.
These perspectives are mutually beneficial –
an alliance
Help us achieve our business
goals and we’ll help you with
your individuals goals.
Help me achieve my individual
goals and I’ll help you achieve
your business goals.

19.
AN ALLIANCE
http://www.theallianceframework.com
“Think of employment as an alliance:
a mutually beneficial deal, with
explicit terms, between independent
players.”
Employers need to tell their
employees, “Help make our company
more valuable, and we’ll make you
more valuable.”
Employees need to tell their bosses,
“Help me grow and flourish, and I’ll
help the company grow and flourish.”
The result is a mutually beneficial
relationship.

20.
How do I know which perspective
I’m viewing from?
Ask yourself, “Who is directing the learning?”

21.
Who is directing learning?
The organization initiates something: An individual initiates something:
For example:
• a new assignment
• coaching feedback
• a class
• e-learning
• support group
• etc..
For example:
• new job
• seeking a mentor
• searching the web
• talking with a co-worker
• a class outside of work
• etc…

22.
Then, consider the components of learning
Goals
Observing
Doing
Reflecting
Required
Supporting

23.
Apply to organizational and self directed learning
Goals
Observing
Doing
Reflecting
Required
Supporting

24.
WHO IS DIRECTING THE LEARNING?
Organization Directed Self Directed
Goals
What are the organizational goals? What learning
opportunities & support will the organization provide to help
achieve these goals?
What is each person’s goals? What learning opportunities &
support can a person create and receive while part of this
organization?
Observations
How is an individual observing others while participating in
role required activities (e.g., meetings, presentations, job
shadowing, etc)?
How is an individual observing beyond day-to-day job
requirements (e.g., observing admired people within or
outside the company in person or on social media)?
Doing
What assignments, tasks or work is an individual doing as
part of their job or role (e.g., completing required tasks,
maintaining status quo, etc)?
What activities is an individual doing beyond their current
role to gain new experiences (e.g., working extra on an
assignment, trying a new stretch assignment, etc)?
Reflecting
What activities encourage reflection as part of an individual’s
role (e.g., after action reviews, lessons learned, etc)?
What activities is an individual doing on their own in order
to promote reflection (e.g., taking notes, journaling, going
for a walk, reading, etc)?
Required
What required learning or training is required due to an
individual’s role in the organization (e.g., compliance,
regulatory)?
What required learning or training is required due to an
individual’s goal (e.g., a college degree in order to be an
attorney, engineer, nurse, etc.)?
Supporting
What company sponsored support is available for an
individual’s role (e.g., lunch & learns, manager, formal
company networks, tuition assistance, etc)?
What support is an individual giving or receiving that is not
formally sponsored by company (e.g., informal networks,
meeting after the meeting, talking with peers, etc).

25.
INTENTIONALLY
WANDER
“Those who
do not wander
may get lost”
Workplacelearning

26.
Organization Directed Self Directed
Goals
What are the organizational goals? What learning opportunities
& support will the organization provide to help achieve these
goals?
What is each person’s goals? What learning opportunities &
support can a person create and receive while part of this
organization?
Observatio
ns
How is an individual observing others while participating in role
required activities (e.g., meetings, presentations, job shadowing,
etc)?
How is an individual observing beyond day-to-day job
requirements (e.g., observing admired people within or
outside the company in person or on social media)?
Doing
What assignments, tasks or work is an individual doing as part of
their job or role (e.g., completing required tasks, maintaining
status quo, etc)?
What activities is an individual doing beyond their current
role to gain new experiences (e.g., working extra on an
assignment, trying a new stretch assignment, etc)?
Reflecting
What activities encourage reflection as part of an individual’s role
(e.g., after action reviews, lessons learned, etc)?
What activities is an individual doing on their own in order
to promote reflection (e.g., taking notes, journaling, going
for a walk, reading, etc)?
Required
What required learning or training is required due to an
individual’s role in the organization (e.g., compliance,
regulatory)?
What required learning or training is required due to an
individual’s goal (e.g., a college degree in order to be an
attorney, engineer, nurse, etc.)?
Supporting
What company sponsored support is available for an individual’s
role (e.g., lunch & learns, manager, formal company networks,
tuition assistance, etc)?
What support is an individual giving or receiving that is not
formally sponsored by company (e.g., informal networks,
meeting after the meeting, talking with peers, etc).
Who is Directing the Learning?
Workplacelearning

27.
@denniscallahan
dendcal@gmail.com
EMAIL
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