I saw a post last week by Martin Couzins about “shadow L&D” in organisations. Martin is spot on about identifying shadow L&D but it isn’t an opportunity or threat. It’s the REAL L&D. Real because where people REALLY learn – in the flow of work, through questions, side chats, and quick experiments. Formal L&D often… Read More Out of the shadows
I use the shortcuts on the Google homepage emphatically. When I say ‘use’, I don’t just mean I click on them; I review, revise and remove the shortcuts which become less useful, pretty much on a weekly basis. Curation isn’t a once and done activity; it’s ongoing, present and regular. The same applies to your… Read More Curated shortcuts
A new study from the IZA Institute of Labour Economics (Silliman & Willén, Beyond Training: Worker Agency, Informal Learning, and Competition, Sept 2025) shows what many of us already feel: most skills at work aren’t built in classrooms or course catalogues. They grow informally; on the job, with peers, through mentoring, and self-study. The findings… Read More Learning isn’t in courses
Seth Godin wrote yesterday that acceleration is felt, velocity is ignored. That line hits hard for workplace learning. Most people don’t notice the steady rhythm of skills they already have. That’s just the background hum of work. What they feel is the jolt; the sudden new platform, the restructure, the shift in expectations. Too often,… Read More Cruise control
One of the most interesting things in my work is the how many times I hear: “That’s not how we do things here“ A small phrase that carries a lot of weight; culture in five words. The invisible handbrake which kills new ideas before they take a breath. It explains why: People rarely fear change… Read More Culture in five words
Lost and Desperate 