Many of us tentatively stepped into 2022 believing (hoping) for a slightly calmer year. Needless to say, we were left wanting.
As we bedded into a living-with-Covid world, the economic downturn steamrolled in leaving both employees and organisations concerned for their futures. Through all of this, the learning profession has had to consider its role in the cost-of-living crisis and the heightened need for skills development, career growth opportunities and employee retention.
What captured the attention of your L&D peers through all of the calamity? An increased focus on human skills is clear, with articles on reflection, listening and happiness making the list. Many of our readers also struggled to resist the controversial opinions pieces we published on the state of L&D today (we don’t blame you). Finally, and perhaps unsurprisingly, learning maturity and the profession’s need to evolve were stand-out themes in our list.
Explore the full list of our most popular 2022 reads below...
1. Three ways to bring more happiness into your life
With 2022 dispensing another dose of relentless chaos and crises it is no wonder that TrainingZone readers latched onto the happiness advice of Nicky Marshall, Director of Discover Your Bounce. In this article, Nicky clarifies the important distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic happiness, with tips on how to live a more joyful life.
2. Hybrid learning is just learning: Don’t fall for the fad
As many organisations adjusted to a longer-term hybrid working model, hybrid learning became a hot topic among the L&D profession. Co-Presenter of Learning Now TV Dr Nigel Paine called out this latest term as a vacuous buzzword that’s not worth your time.
3. Three learning and development trends for 2022
At the start of 2022, we asked Robin Hoyle, Head of Learning Innovation at Huthwaite International, to whip out his crystal ball and look at what lies ahead for the learning profession. As we close the year, why not have a read and see whether these trends came to fruition?
4. Is leadership an L&D obsession?
This provocative piece from Donald Clark, CEO of Wildfire Learning, riled more than a few in the L&D profession. Donald urged us to ditch the leadership cult and focus on addressing actual business needs. What are your thoughts?
5. Why we need to redefine learning maturity for 2022
Having researched learning maturity for over 20 years it is safe to say Founder of Learning Changemakers Laura Overton knows her stuff on this topic. Given the rapidly evolving world of work, Laura explored how learning maturity stacks up now, sharing key highlights from the Learning Benchmark 2022 report by Mindtools for Business.
6. Is it time for the death of learning culture?
This question from Jo Wright, CEO of Coaching Culture, provoked a lively debate among TrainingZone’s readership. Is it time we evolved the definition of a learning culture? Or indeed throw it away altogether? Have a read and share your views!
7. Five reflective questions for embarking on a new year of learning
More than anyone else learning leaders know the importance of reflection, especially when embarking on a new year. It is no surprise, then, that this article from Jackie Clifford, Director of Clarity Learning and Development, was well received among TrainingZone readers. It will still be relevant for 2023, so have a read.
8. Time to ditch the 'vanilla' management training
Erica Farmer, co-founder of Quantum Rise, urged our audience to stop with the drab management development courses – and they paid attention. Erica also offered five quick-win tips for achieving a more flavoursome training offering for managers today.
9. Corporate training is failing employees and killing their career paths
Earlier in 2022, The Josh Bersin Company asked over 1,000 organisations about their L&D practices. No less than 78% of respondents said L&D is one of their top C-suite level priorities and see learning as vital — yet only 12% are successful at enabling true learning in the flow of work. In this article Nehal Nangia, Director of Research L&D at the company, argued the need for L&D to reorient, offering a new roadmap to maturity.
10. Five deep listening skills to help navigate workplace conflict
Good listening skills are important for all workplace communication, especially in conflict situations. But this fact often falls on deaf ears when heated moments arise.
Anna Shields, Co-founder of Consensio, offers guidance on how to keep ourselves in check and take listening to the next level in hostile situations.
That’s a wrap on our most popular reads for 2022
Did the inclusion of any of these topics surprise you? Share in the comments below!
