TQ Blog

Amplify Success by Taking Control of Your Learning

Think back 30 plus years ago and imagine knowing VHS tapes or film cameras like the back of your hand. Overnight, with the introduction of DVDs and digital cameras, you find yourself, suddenly, having no relevant skills because you have stopped upgrading and learning. The game has changed completely. The speed at which the world changes means that something can be relevant today and obsolete next week.

We live in a time where employers demand more from employees and candidates than ever before. Yet, 59% of managers say soft skills are hard to find and limit employee productivity1,2. Additionally, 89% of executives have a somewhat or very difficult time finding candidates with requisite skills – both soft and technical3.

0%
of managers say soft skills are hard to find and limit employee productivity
0%
of executives have a somewhat or very difficult time finding candidates with requisite skills - both soft and technical

The takeaway?

Due to the everchanging employment landscape, no job is secure. It doesn’t matter what age you are or what position you hold. Now you’re saying, “Man, this guy is really negative.” Hear me out as we go along.

Think about the following three questions:

  1. Do you possess the correct skillset to succeed professionally?
  2. Are you a good fit for your organization?
  3. Can you apply that skill set to fill a gap and help the organization?

All professionals need to have the ability to adapt and change to the shifting business landscape. The best way to adapt is to upskill. Your ability and drive to learn new skills that can be applied to your job is invaluable, particularly as some skills become outdated or disappear over time (flashback to those VHS tapes). As skills are learned and applied, they begin to show in improved performance and result in both individual and organizational success.

Expanding one’s skillset is necessary to stay relevant, but how does someone go about upskilling and choosing what’s right for them?  Since we live in a world of technology, the easiest and most convenient way to upskill is through eLearning. The ability to learn through videos, tutorials, and interactive animations is not only engaging but highly effective.  With so many options of learning to choose from, which is the right choice? Whatever training you choose needs to allow you to come away with the desired new skill(s) and the ability to apply those skills.  Before selecting a learning modality, ask yourself these critical questions:

What do you want to learn and how will it help you (professionally and/or personally)?

It won’t be a productive use of time to search for courses to enhance skills without a proper plan and a goal in mind for what you want to achieve.  Much like mentoring, put together a plan and timeline to achieve that goal.

How do you learn best (hands-on, interactive learning, etc.)?

If you get distracted after a podcast or television show lasts longer than 30 minutes, chances are a course that lasts two hours with no breaks isn’t for you. Micro-learning would be a great choice to achieve the best learning outcome because those courses can be competed in 15 minutes or less and can be adapted to mobile so learning can be done anywhere at any time.

What is the time commitment?

Becoming proficient with new skills doesn’t come with a snap of the fingers. That said, you may not want to be in a course on Effective Management Skills that lasts six months either. The most desirable outcome for anyone wanting to learn is that it is quick, efficient, and schedule-friendly.

How credible is the source of the eLearning?

You want to ensure that whoever is producing learning is qualified to do so. It seems obvious that someone with over 40 years of experience in talent development is a better choice than someone who shares uninformed research or opinion on social media.  Credible eLearning is typically SCORM-based (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) which is the standard for web-based electronic educational technology and will include certification when completed.

Learning and applying new skills is necessary to remain relevant in our changing world. Having additional skills in your toolbox means that you will stand out in your organization or against other candidates and one of the fastest and most effective ways to upskill today is through eLearning.  By ensuring that it fits your objectives and helps you achieve your career aspirations, the time to prepare for your future is now!

1 – https://www.progressivepolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/SkillsGapFinal.pdf
2 – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/soft-skills-increasingly-cru-cial-getting-your-dream-guy-berger-ph-d-?published=t
3 – https://www.wsj.com/articles/employ-ers-find-soft-skills-like-critical-thinking-in-short-supply-1472549400

TalentQuest provides an extensive selection of off-the-shelf eLearning to help individuals acquire the skills they need – all in 15 minutes or less!

Browse the Library

Related Posts

April 19, 2022

Attack of the Learning Acronyms -> MOOCs vs. CBL

Think about your organization's learning culture. What are you doing to cultivate an experience that delivers the best outcome for all employees. If you are limiting their options, it's quite possible that some of your employees are now working somewhere else!
March 29, 2022

Do Unicorns Exist?

While unicorns may only exist in our imaginations, when used responsibly, personality assessments are a fantastic tool to take the guesswork out of your hiring process.
March 22, 2022

How did I get here?

When you look back on your accomplishments, is there anything you’d do differently? Treat every experience as a stepping stone in your personal development.
Back To Top