Top 5 Learning and Development Trends that will Define 2021

2020 has been a roller coaster, and learning and development professionals have been feeling all the ups and downs. The sudden shift to remote work, due to the pandemic, meant adapting long-standing training programs and practices. The uncertainty about the future makes it hard to anticipate what skills employees will need to solve tomorrow’s challenges.



What will learning look like in 2021 and beyond?

After combing through the learning behaviors of the top global companies of 2020, some learning and development trends emerged. Read on to gain insights on how to prepare for 2021, and understand which skill will shape you in the year ahead.

1. Pursuit of Self-mastery

Mental health and its effect on workplace productivity is no longer a taboo topic. Wellness has become a frequent discussion point in the last few years. And, based on the demand for these skills in 2020, employees are gaining the skills needed to bring their best selves to work.

Skills related to this trend:

  • Mental health: Anxiety management, resilience, and stress management
  • Productivity: Time management, motivation, and focus mastery

As the workforce continues to grapple with the challenges of the pandemic, employee well-being should be an ongoing priority.

2. Remote collaboration

The communication process is often taken for granted. This can be significantly relevant now, as teams navigate a sea of digital communications ambiguity since the start of the pandemic. In 2020, the high demand for communication skills shows that teams are adjusting to becoming better listeners, make space for healthy debate — and more importantly, each other.

Skills related to this trend:

  • Communication: Conflict management, business writing, and interpersonal feedback
  • Leadership: Decision making, facilitation, and cultural awareness

In this new remote environment, teams are beginning to emphasize the skills needed to “crack the code” on collaboration.

3. Expect Smaller Teams to Remain the Norm

The pandemic ushered in unparalleled financial challenges for large and small businesses. It’s probably safe to say that no business has been unscathed. One of the immediate results of that was a necessary downsizing in teams. That trend can continue into 2021 as businesses attempt to recoup lost profitability without hiring more talent.

For L&D, smaller teams can mean several things, including:

  • Less demand for L&D resources at any particular time should lighten the load on content delivery systems/learning management systems.
  • An increased need for team members to wear more than one hat, which may increase the need for cross-training and additional development beyond what would have been necessary before the pandemic.
  • A greater need for training on communication and agile processes due to fewer people on the team and fewer hands on the project.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Is Your Home Ready for Santa? | Black Owned SEO companies in Texas

Image
  “The bell still rings for those who truly believe” As we count down to the day after we can kick back and enjoy, ensure you’re really prepared, that no details slip through the cracks. How will Santa know to make a stop at your house? What if he comes by your undecorated house and thinks you’re off vacationing? Don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect solutions to your problems, so your home will be ready just in the (Saint) Nick of time.   Show that mantel some love. Throw some holiday cheer here and there. Hang up a needlepoint Christmas stocking for each member of the family. Don’t forget to have them monogrammed—how’s old Kringle supposed to know what goes where if you don’t give him a little guidance? Help him out by embroidering your family members’ names on their respective stockings. Put a wreath on it. A wreath that’s hanging on one’s door says “holiday” more immediately than just about anything. Cookies actually work. He’s known as the Father of Chris...
Read more

4 Ways to Develop Your Strategic Thinking Skills

Image
Many people are confused by the term “strategic thinking” often believing that it means thinking big thoughts or reading about others’, or having your own big ideas. To put it simply, strategic thinking is about creating a line of sight from your job to the most important things your organization is working on. Employees at any level can take the initiative to make the connections between their company’s strategy and their own work. Strategic thinking skills are any skills that enable you to use critical thinking to solve complex problems and plan for the future. These skills are essential to accomplish business objectives, overcome obstacles, and address challenges. Especially, if they’re projected to take weeks, months, or even years to achieve. With the right mind-set and practice, you can improve your strategic thinking skills. Strategic thinking skills include: Analytical skills:  To develop a strategy that helps your organization reach its objectives, you must be capable...
Read more

2021 Influencer Marketing Trends

Image
Considering influencer marketing? Even if you aren’t, it would be a mistake to ignore influencer marketing trends. Beyond their role as effective brand ambassadors, influencers are now the new weapon of choice by advertisers. Influencer marketing offers excellent numbers – a lot higher than traditional marketing methods. According to a report, the market is ready to almost double from $8 billion in 2019 to $15 billion by 2022. To help brands design their strategies and get ahead of the curve, we have covered some influencer marketing trends for 2021. These tips will help you create a strategy that can record big numbers in 2021 and beyond. Brands Will Look for Ongoing Partnerships Instead of One-Off Projects Throughout 2021, expect brands and influencers to join together for long-term, ongoing projects rather than one-off sponsored posts. There can be multiple reasons for this shift, ultimately, it comes down to this: it takes time to make a sale. Even influencers with the most engage...
Read more