The Ken Blanchard Companies, a global leader in management training, consulting, and coaching, released its third annual L&D Trends Survey. Its purpose was to gain real-time insight from L&D (learning & development) professionals and help them learn from peers as they plan their 2022 L&D initiatives.
Polling was carried out via email October 21 through November 5, 2021. More than 800 L&D professionals participated. Respondents came from a variety of backgrounds: learning & development, human resources, organizational development, leadership development, and others. They work at small (1–499 employees) to large companies (10,000+ employees) around the world (48% are US-based, 52% are outside the US).
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Jay Campbell, senior vice president of product development, and David Witt, program director, analyzed the responses and identified three key insights:
- Insight #1: People are overloaded, tired, and “too busy to learn.” Respondents indicated that the hybrid work environment was having a negative impact on perceptions of wellbeing, with burned-out leaders struggling to manage hybrid teams effectively.
- Insight #2: The level of connection between employees is dropping. Respondents feel more isolated from work colleagues and teammates, and it’s becoming problematic. Interpersonal connection and cohesion are dropping, reducing trust and collaboration. The hybrid environment continues to be a barrier to seeing others, preventing spontaneous exchanges of ideas and feelings.
- Insight #3: L&D is stretched and dissatisfied with recently converted digital and virtual training offerings. As one respondent described it, “We need to make online training more engaging, so learners don’t just click through it.” Participants described feelings of being overwhelmed and anxious, undermining L&D’s ability to stay focused on the learning that is most needed.
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Other noteworthy findings include:
- 53% of respondents believe their virtual and digital offerings are less effective than their face-to-face versions
- The top things on L&D’s wish list are higher quality learning experiences and more resources
- 47% would funnel new resources toward focusing more on reinforcing learning and holding learners accountable
“The Blanchard 2022 L&D Trends Survey provides a unique perspective into the L&D industry. It reveals a world in flux, an industry fatigued by the pandemic, and workers that feel too depleted to learn. We face many challenges, but they also serve as a road map for the coming year,” said Jay Campbell.
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