Education Never Stops: The Value of Fostering a Learning Environment in the Workplace
by Alexa Le
Learning extends far beyond the compulsory years of education as a youth. Whether you think of learning as traversing the world or reading a plethora of books, it’s quite difficult to deny the intrinsic value that learning provides to us in terms of self-improvement. Even if some might not find it enjoyable as a result of years of sitting in a classroom, learning is a critical part of all aspects of life, especially the workplace.
It’s quite easy to fall into the trap of thinking that once you leave school, you don’t need to strive to learn anything else, especially if you’re working what you think to be a monotonous job. However, this can prove to be ultimately detrimental, for learning allows us to consistently acquire the necessary knowledge to thrive in life.
In a longitudinal study from the Gallup Organization tracking employee engagement over 15 years, it was reported that only 13% of employees worldwide are engaged, meaning that the workers are not reaching their full potential at their job and are not considered to be committed to their work (1). They have postulated that the cause of this relates to the overall focus of many companies, especially in regards to prioritizing immediate results and money-saving measures over what will bring long-term improvement to the company and workers alike.
While a leader should always strive to make this their responsibility, it is equally as crucial for the rest of the workplace to facilitate in this effort. Whether it is recommending online courses to your fellow colleagues or going to fascinating lectures is dependent upon the organization itself. The important detail is that it must be both continuous and persistent. Consistent learning will lead to consistent improvements.
It is also important to note that learning does not just refer to the specific skills that pertain to your job. Learning extends to all aspects of the workplace, most notably your colleagues. We all come from different cultures and walks of life, and recognizing the inherent worth of that alone gives us the incredible opportunity to learn from each other and form connections.
By bringing the workplace together in the singular task to improve not only as workers but also as humans, an organization can foster both increased employee satisfaction and a culture where learning is appreciated. In a time where healthy, productive communication is more important than ever, opportunities to gain knowledge are the most valuable tools a company can possess.