What if the biggest obstacle to learning culture is the way most organizations think about learning itself?

In this episode of Voices of The Learning Network, guest host Bill Banham sits down with HR futurist, organizational designer, author, and thought leader Perry Timms to explore a radically different approach to workplace learning—one that moves beyond courses, catalogs, and content delivery.

Perry argues that learning isn't something organizations should package and distribute. Instead, it's something they should cultivate. Drawing on his experience in organizational transformation and inspired by Ricardo Semler's work on self-directed education, Perry introduces the concept of the "learning mosaic"—a flexible, curiosity-driven approach that empowers people to follow meaningful learning pathways based on real work, experimentation, and peer collaboration.

The conversation explores why traditional approaches to learning often struggle to keep pace with modern organizations, how learning can become embedded in everyday work, and why the future may belong to organizations that treat learning as a dynamic system rather than a department function.

Bill and Perry also discuss the rise of polymorphic organizations—adaptive, shape-shifting businesses capable of evolving continuously while preserving the best elements of their legacy. Along the way, they explore practical ways leaders can create stronger learning cultures by modeling curiosity, encouraging experimentation, and embracing uncertainty.

Whether you're an L&D leader, HR professional, organizational designer, or business executive looking to build a more adaptive workforce, this episode offers fresh perspectives on how learning can become a living, breathing part of organizational success.

In this episode:

• Why learning culture is more than a collection of training programs
• Moving from learning delivery to learning cultivation
• The limitations of traditional course catalogs and curriculum structures
• Understanding Perry's "learning mosaic" concept
• How curiosity-driven learning pathways accelerate development
• What polymorphic organizations can teach us about adaptability
• Embedding learning into work, projects, and decision-making
• Leaders as co-learners rather than experts with all the answers
• Two simple questions that can unlock meaningful development conversations
• Building learning ecosystems through communities, peers, and experimentation
• Why the future of L&D may be distributed throughout the organization

About Perry Timms

Perry Timms is an internationally recognized HR futurist, organizational designer, author, and speaker. He is known for challenging conventional approaches to work, leadership, and organizational development. Perry writes extensively about polymorphic organizations, adaptive systems, and the future of work, helping organizations become more resilient, human-centered, and responsive to change.

Voices of the Learning Network is the Learning Network podcast connecting the learning and development community. https://thelearning-network.org/