When we learn, we don’t just develop our knowledge, but also streamline our growth process. This, in turn, opens up an ocean of opportunities in accordance with the skills that we possess and also build. 

Addressing a session at the People Matters L&D APAC Conference 2022, Ekpedeme "Pamay" Bassey, Chief Learning & Diversity Officer at Kraft Heinz spoke about the importance of creating a vibrant personal and organizational learning culture. I like to say the first culture than curriculum first culture then capability development. 

In the session titled ‘Let's Learn Our Way Through It, Shall We?’, Bassey said that within an organisation, every individual is expected to keep learning as it is the only way to embrace innovation and identify the path leading to self-growth and development. She said, “We help them to accelerate their learning curves and that serves a learner, whether they are rescaling upskilling are intentionally or unintentionally disrupting their lives for the purpose of advancement.”

When the pandemic struck and office doors had to shut while digitally transforming, agility became an imperative. Though the digital transformation was taking place over the last ten years, the pandemic gave the pace a push that left no choice for the employees and the leaders with no choice but to learn, relearn and unlearn. Bassey is of the view that, unlike the pre-pandemic period, learning is not a ‘nice-to-have’ policy but a ‘must-have’ one. 

“The truth is high performing organizations require high performing individuals. Learning is imperative on a personal and organizational level,” said Bassey.

However, learning can’t be a forced practice. While imparting knowledge, leaders must ensure that the outcome of the same is fruitful and the end product gets implemented. Thus employees also have to express their eagerness to adapt to changing circumstances. Bassey said, “We expect each employee to seek out high impact learning experiences, to commit to a learning practice, even if it's just a few minutes a day, and to encourage others to do the same.”

“Everyone needs to contribute to a culture of learning. There are so many doors through which we can all find information and learning that can help as we aim to continuously improve our impact,” added Bassey.

Bassey stresses that people need to own what they learn. With an aim to establish the learning significance, she started a campaign titled ‘Learn like an owner’. She wants people to believe that learning is good and useful and there's no time like the present to develop a strong learning culture. 

Concluding the session she said, “Finally you have to determine what to practice and what to keep and finally apply what you're learning.”