There’s an interesting article in this weeks BRW* by organisational development specialist Silvia Damiano, detailing how neuroscience findings provide insights into the successful introduction of organisational change.
Often when companies deliver a training or learning initiative what they really want is adoption of certain new behaviours – basically change – back in the workplace. It’s interesting then to consider how different parts of the brain processes the various stages of change. The most relevant aspect to transfer of learning, discussed in the article is how to get people to recognise the need to change and be enthusiastic about it. The article suggests this can be done through asking questions that encourage reflection and change.
Damiano then goes on to say, “Overwhelming people with unnecessary information or pressurising them to meet deadlines is not the answer to achieving lasting change. Pacing the change to natural rhythms, using self reflection and involving those affected may form they key to more effective way of managing change.”
Great lessons to take into account when developing a learning intervention….
I’d love to here from you if you have seen any other links between neuroscience and the workplace.
* The article can be accessed in BRW’s premium content section online at www.BRW.com.au (title “All in the Mind”) or buy a copy of this week’s edition June 4th -10th
All in the mind – what it means for the transfer of learning
Emma Weber is a recognized authority on the transfer of learning. As CEO of Lever–Transfer of Learning, she has helped companies such as Telstra, Oracle and BMW deliver and measure tangible business results from learning. She has also been a guest speaker at learning effectiveness conferences worldwide and authored the hugely successful book “Turning Learning into Action“. Much more detail around the issues and solutions examined in this article are available in the book – please feel free to download a free chapter. Emma and her team also developed Coach M, a coaching chatbot that delivers fully scaleable learning transfer. She is also a co-author of the books Making Change Work, and Designing Virtual Learning for Application and Impact. Her work and approach is also featured in Data and Analytics for Instructional Designers by Megan Torrance (Author), Foundations of People Metrics and Analytics – by Renjini Joseph and an ATD 10-minute case study series – Chatbot Coaching for Learning Transfer.