How can your team benefit from continuous learning?
Continuous learning is the process of acquiring new skills and knowledge on an ongoing basis, both formally and informally. It can help your team improve performance, adapt to change, and foster collaboration. In this article, you will learn how to implement continuous learning in your project management practice and what benefits it can bring to your team.
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Ahmad AlshabDeputy CEO @ Orange | Support Services and BD Management
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Henrique MartinsPortfolio Manager | Program Manager | Project Manager | Product Manager | PMO | Scrum Master | Agile | Strategic Layer…
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Brian Julius6x Linkedin Top Voice | Lifelong Data Geek | IBCS Certified Data Analyst | Power BI Expert | DAX Heretic | Data Mad…
The first step to create a continuous learning culture in your team is to identify what skills and knowledge are needed for your current and future projects. You can use various tools and methods to assess your team's strengths and weaknesses, such as surveys, feedback, self-evaluation, or skills matrix. Based on the results, you can define specific and measurable learning goals and plan how to achieve them.
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Donnie Minnick
Operational Excellence & Transformation Leader | Service & Operations Management | Project Management | Data Analysis
There is always value in providing employees with training on different frameworks, concepts or approaches to continuous improvement. For example, I've used Lean's eight forms of waste as a means to coach teams on how to identify improvement opportunities. The foundation of all continuous improvement is an effort to understand and enhance the customer experience we create. I've had the most success instilling a CI mindset in teams by simply getting them to ask themselves, "If I was the customer on the other end of this process, what would my experience be?" Once they make that fundamental shift in perspective, they are more adept at finding opportunities for improvement.
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Mohammad Zaripour
Assistive Technology Activist
Something like Enhanced Performance – Adaptability – Innovation - Employee Engagement - Career Development. As a case in point Adaptability: Teams stay agile and adaptable to industry changes and evolving technologies
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Emiliano D.
PMP® | DASM ® | PMO | Project/Program/Portfolio Management | Continuous Improvement
Continuous learning benefits the team by fostering innovation, enhancing adaptability, and improving problem-solving skills. It encourages knowledge sharing, empowering individuals to stay updated with industry trends and advancements. This leads to higher job satisfaction, increased productivity, and a more agile team ready to tackle new challenges. Continuous learning cultivates a growth mindset, promotes collaboration, and ensures the team remains competitive and efficient in delivering high-quality outcomes.
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Prosper DJONGAIBE LAIBA
Formateur/Consultant /Gestionnaire et Coordinateur des projets et programmes de résilience/développement et d'urgence (SAME, WASH et NUT)
Il convient dans un premier de chercher à: - identifier les failles ou les lacunes au sein de son équipe; - catégoriser les différentes failles/lacunes; -en fonction de chaque lacune, proposer une formation adaptée pour un renforcement des capacités; - assurer un coaching afin de permettre à son équipe de prendre d'envergure et être plus autonome ou capable; -encourager son équipe à beaucoup faire des recherches.
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Abdou Toumi
Directeur technique
L'adhésion morale crée la confiance ,cela permet toute initiative et constitue un pilier des relations d'équipe....un swot relier au objectifs est bien sûr nécessaire aussi ....
The next step is to provide your team with various learning opportunities and resources that suit their preferences and needs. You can use a mix of formal and informal learning methods, such as training courses, workshops, webinars, mentoring, coaching, peer learning, or online platforms. You can also encourage your team to pursue their own learning interests and initiatives, such as reading books, articles, blogs, podcasts, or attending events or conferences.
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Henrique Martins
Portfolio Manager | Program Manager | Project Manager | Product Manager | PMO | Scrum Master | Agile | Strategic Layer | Engineering & IT
A good leader must look for resources to level up his team. Sometimes we will not have resources within the OPEX of the area to invest at this point, in these cases I suggest doing in-company training using the most specialist and senior resources and looking for free courses. Currently, we have several platforms with different topics that are very well structured and free.
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Jim Hollenback AIA
Operational Improvement | Sr Director of Facilities | Project Management | Strategic Leadership | Architectural Design | Space Planning | Asset Management | Construction & Sustainability
I think one very cost effective way to provide learning opportunities is to debrief projects as they are completed? What went well? How can you replicate it? If things didn’t go well, what led to the project getting off track? How do you identify those issues earlier so you can have better influence on them? I think Jocko Willink and his team at Echelon Front have shared extensively on this topic as well.
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Brian Julius
6x Linkedin Top Voice | Lifelong Data Geek | IBCS Certified Data Analyst | Power BI Expert | DAX Heretic | Data Mad Scientist, mixing BI, R, M, AI, PKM, GIS and DS
Rotational assignments represent an enormous opportunity both for employees and the organization. When a vacancy opens, rather than filling it immediately, consider an internal competition for one or more 90-day rotational assignments. This gives current staff an opportunity to try out a new role basically risk-free, and if they like it and are good at it, perhaps gain a leg up in the competition for the permanent position. It also gives the organization an opportunity to test out promising candidate(s) before making a decision. Implementing this can have a domino effect in which multiple people temporarily change roles, leading to the acquisition of greater domain knowledge across the team and preventing "single points of failure".
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Ndumiso Sibanda, PhD (Pr. Sci. Nat)
Top R&D Voice/ Senior Material Scientist with expertise on the development of advanced analytical techniques for complex material characterization/ Biorefinery Specialist with innovative skills in biorefinery development
The importance of providing learning opportunities cannot be underestimated in pursuit of building a strong and effective team. As a team leader, it is important to design& develop measurable learning outcomes to ensure a progressive working environment. Continuous learning exposes team members to a world of critical inquiry which elevates versatility, sound thinking and refinement of analytical & practical research skills.
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Carri Oslager, PMP
Project Manager | Communicator | Problem Solver | Analytic Skills | Servant Leader | My approach to leadership emphasizes clarity, transparency, and trust-building.
Being a model of learning for your team is a foundational principle of mine. I'm not perfect nor do I know it all- I cannot. Being humble, allowing your team to see you acknowledge mistakes and show how you learn from them, while providing opportunities for each of them to do the same. This can be a great example of how you develop the culture of learning and growth. We are always learning!!
The third step is to ensure that your team can apply what they learn to their project tasks and goals. You can support learning transfer and application by creating a supportive and feedback-rich environment, where your team can share their insights, experiences, and challenges. You can also use tools and techniques to reinforce learning, such as quizzes, checklists, simulations, or case studies. You can also monitor and evaluate the impact of learning on your team's performance and outcomes.
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Henrique Martins
Portfolio Manager | Program Manager | Project Manager | Product Manager | PMO | Scrum Master | Agile | Strategic Layer | Engineering & IT
KT Sessions are extremely important, this helps your team level up knowledge and often one resource covers the other during a leave of absence, vacation or other problem that may arise. Another really cool thing that I suggest can be done is for Seniors and Specialists on your team to give in-company training on some topics that might make sense within your organization. This makes the bonds on your team stronger as well!
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Hakan Gümüş, PMP®, PSM I
Senior Project Manager at Sennheiser | Leading Projects to Turn Great Ideas into only Best Audio Products | R&D | Ask Me about Project Management
🙌🏻 In my experience, if you are expecting some outputs from the team, set the right expectation. It is your responsibility to take care team's knowledge level, and talking the same language is definitely must have. Hence, support your teammates and give them your feedback when necessary.
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Asma Yousuf Zainal ~ أسما يوسف زينل
Awarded Futurist | Dubai Future Expert | Author | Edu-trainer in Foresight & Innovation | Founder The.Futurist
Ensuring your team effectively applies new knowledge to their tasks involves creating an environment that encourages the use of new skills. Provide continuous feedback and foster a culture where team members can discuss insights and obstacles openly. Reinforce learning through practical tools like quizzes and simulations. Monitor the team's performance to evaluate the impact of these learning experiences and adjust strategies as necessary.
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Iman Sheikhansari
Driving Sustainable & Personalized Future through Data & Collaboration
Build a feedback fortress: Craft a safe space for your team to share, brainstorm, and conquer challenges together. Insights flow freely, experiences fuel learning, and roadblocks get pulverized. Reinforce like a champion: Quizzes, checklists, simulations – turn learning into an engaging obstacle course! Each hurdle conquered strengthens their skills and builds confidence. Case studies, the ultimate training ground: Throw real-world scenarios at your team and watch them flex their newfound knowledge. It's like a practice run for project glory! Track progress, celebrate wins: Monitor how learning translates to improved performance and stellar outcomes. Acknowledge their growth, celebrate victories, and keep the learning engine roaring!
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Adam Cieslinski
10 Years of Media Experience: Fusing Web Development and Graphic Design for Exceptional Digital Experiences | LinkedIn Top Voice
Consider implementing mentorship programs within your team to provide personalized guidance and support for applying new skills. Pairing experienced team members with those acquiring knowledge creates an avenue for practical advice, fostering a more hands-on approach to learning transfer. This mentorship dynamic facilitates the sharing of tacit knowledge and accelerates the integration of newly acquired skills into day-to-day workflows.
The final step is to celebrate your team's learning achievements and outcomes. You can recognize and reward your team members for their learning efforts and results, such as certificates, badges, bonuses, or promotions. You can also showcase and share your team's learning stories and best practices with other teams or stakeholders, such as clients, sponsors, or senior management. You can also use learning as an opportunity to review and update your team's goals and plans.
Continuous learning can help your team stay relevant, competitive, and innovative in the dynamic and complex project environment. By following these four steps, you can create a continuous learning culture in your team that can boost your team's motivation, engagement, productivity, and quality.
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Carri Oslager, PMP
Project Manager | Communicator | Problem Solver | Analytic Skills | Servant Leader | My approach to leadership emphasizes clarity, transparency, and trust-building.
Humans like to be acknowledged for their contributions- you just have to know your team members' preferences to create the right celebration of success.
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Ishita Dey
Project Management Analyst || RWE-APAC
Celebrating learning achievements fosters a positive team culture, boosting morale and motivation. Recognizing successes encourages a growth mindset, sparking curiosity and innovation. It creates a supportive environment where team members feel valued and inspired to keep improving. By embracing continuous learning celebrations, your team becomes more adaptable, resilient, and engaged, ultimately driving collective success. So, let's throw a learning party and keep the knowledge momentum going!
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Andrew Kendris, PMP, CSM
Governance, Risk & Compliance | Project Management | Cybersecurity Risk & Strategy Graduate at NYU Law & NYU Tandon | Atlassian Community Leader
Embracing continuous learning within project management transforms teams into dynamic and innovative units. By celebrating each learning milestone, we not only boost skills and adaptability but also ignite team spirit and engagement. This approach is key to driving exceptional outcomes and maintaining a cutting-edge, motivated team ready to excel in the face of any challenge.
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Zaheer Shaik
Solutions Architect/Technical Manager at Tech Mahindra
Celebrating and acknowledging the learning of your team or individual is very important and I would say we can start a monthly newsletter about the learning opportunities within the organisation and share the learning calendar and also share the learning stories and feedback of the employees who have completed their learning and who have achieved certification in their learning path this monthly newsletter should be shared across all departments of the organisation
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Mohammad Daud Mohttat
BCS, CCNA Routing & Switching Certified, 5G/LTE LAB Test Engineer III at Arclight Wireless. Everyday Learner || When my Customers Succeed, I Succeed
An employee likes to be motivated and recognized. Continuous learning offers several benefits like! Employee Engagement: Encouraging learning opportunities shows your team that their growth is valued. This can increase motivation, job satisfaction, and retention. Innovation: Learning stimulates innovation by encouraging individuals to think differently and explore unconventional approaches to challenges. Knowledge Sharing: Team members can share new insights and skills, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone benefits from each other's learning.
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Ahmad Alshab
Deputy CEO @ Orange | Support Services and BD Management
Peer-to-peer support serves as a valuable method for teams to engage in mutual learning, exchange experiences, and collectively assess outcomes. As an HR, I emphasize its significance in promoting a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the team.
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Brian Julius
6x Linkedin Top Voice | Lifelong Data Geek | IBCS Certified Data Analyst | Power BI Expert | DAX Heretic | Data Mad Scientist, mixing BI, R, M, AI, PKM, GIS and DS
Encourage all staff to submit Individual Development Plans (IDP) prior to the start of each fiscal year, and provide a sample template and training on how and why to do an IDP, but **do not** make submitting a plan mandatory. If it's strongly encouraged but optional it will help ensure that training resources and opportunities are focused on employees who have put thought, effort and initiative into their requests as opposed to those who are simply submitting a plan to check a mandatory box. Make sure the plans submitted focus not just on requested activities (e.g., courses, conferences, etc.) but the beneficial outcomes (for both the employee and the organization) associated with each request.
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Patricia Sedinam Antwi
Project Coordinator | Analyst - ERP Oracle Cloud (Enterprise Master Data & Incident Management (EAM, SCM, HCM)
A team can benefit from continuous learning by doing the following : - Improve team performance by equipping team members with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. - Foster a culture of innovation and improvement by encouraging team members to constantly seek out new ideas and best practices. - Promote employee engagement and motivation by providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. - Increase retention rates by investing in the development of team members.
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Tatia Oniani
IT Project Manager @ Diplomat GIT
Continuous learning is akin to building a ladder that empowers us to overcome the walls of stagnation and embrace growth. Just as a ladder provides a structured way to ascend, learning consistently equips us with the steps needed to rise above challenges and reach new heights. In my journey as an IT Project Manager, my background in Clinical Psychology has been a crucial rung on this ladder. Understanding human behavior and the intricacies of team dynamics has allowed me to navigate through complex projects with a nuanced perspective. It has been instrumental in fostering effective communication, building cohesive teams, and strategically managing stakeholder relationships.
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Raymond Tan
Market Development | Cybersecurity
Most importantly, continuous learning is a culture, not just a process. Everyone is continuously looking for opportunities to learn and share what they learned. And that behaviour is encouraged.
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