Empower Your Employees Through Continuous Learning

By Courtney Christman

Succeeding in business is rooted in the ability to adapt and change with the world around you. What works one day, might not the next. And with today’s always-changing world, failure to keep up with the latest approaches to getting stuff done will not bode well for you or your business.

To keep up with today's fast-paced world, it's essential that businesses take the time to educate and allow their employees to learn – on a continuous basis. A bit different than formal education-styled learning, continuous learning is a relatively abstract concept that more organizations need to seriously consider – for the benefit of their employees and the future of their businesses.

Understanding Continuous Learning

Continuous learning is the constant process of endlessly absorbing new information and skills. For individuals, it's a way to keep up with ever-changing work environments and developments by improving skills and growing knowledge. Group-based learning focuses on how a team can transform and respond to changing conditions. There is no clear beginning or end to continuous learning, but the process should advance both an individual’s career and/or the organization in some way.

Continuous learning also forces a company to evaluate and reexamine what it already knows. This includes learning about new policies, methods, and practices integral to job functions, as well as reviewing organizational values and expectations.

"The More You Know, The More You Grow"

If your employees are itching to learn, let them! The more they know, the more they will be able to contribute to your organization’s overall goals and objectives.

Some people believe this type of empowerment leads to higher turnover; it’s not true. When you provide the tools and environment for your employees to learn new skills, you’re providing your organization the opportunity to grow and prosper too.

Think of it this way. Where would you be without your employees? Chances are your organization wouldn’t survive without the individuals who, day in and day out, support the growth of your business. So, why wouldn’t you provide them with the tools and opportunities to grow, evolve, and mature as contributing members of your team? After all, the growth and evolution that continuous learning facilitates will benefit your organization in so many ways. It might even take you to a level of success you never thought possible.

Continuous learning allows your employees to feel like they are contributing team members of your organization. And with their newly acquired knowledge comes a great deal of advantages, including improved self-confidence and maturity, the sharing of new ideas, implementation of new and improved ways of doing things, a boost in productivity, and a sense of empowerment and increased happiness. Finally, and most importantly, it creates an organizational culture that supports and facilitates learning and an environment where individuals want to work and prosper.

Learning in itself is a continual process. We never truly stop learning. Continuous learning helps bring new ideas to the table and keeps employees up-to-date with new developments and the latest changes in technology. When your employees have a profound sense of understanding about new techniques and methodologies, they’ll want to put what they have learned into action. It becomes a win-win for everyone: your employees become more well-rounded; and they are willing to share and enlighten others with their newly acquired knowledge.

Getting Started

Whether your organization is promoting individual or group-based continuous learning, here are seven ways to get started:

1.  Encourage employees to ask questions if they are confused about anything.

2. Allow employees to keep up with the latest industry happenings through reading relevant news, blogs, and other resources.

3. Offer ongoing training sessions in areas that directly affect and/or relate to your organization and business.

4. Provide in-depth training courses for new developments and changes in procedures.

5. Send employees to seminars and conferences that will provide insight and new ideas for your organization.

6. Support new ways and methods of doing things for a fresh take on your business.

7. Encourage employees to use social media to connect and interact with thought leaders in your industry, and to learn new and alternative ways of doing things.

“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can, there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.”  -- Sarah Caldwell