The How To Learn Podcast

We're all tempted to rush into a new job or project, to show that we can 'hit the ground running'.. but in this mini-podcast Thembi and Jonathan say: Please don't.

Much better approach:

- take your time, you have to crawl before you can walk (let alone run)

- be kind to yourself, it's ok not to know things

- don't abandon your induction halfway

- keep an induction mindset, and never stop asking questions.

We have a disagreement in this podcast: when you see a colleague demonstrate a real skill, is it intimidating ("oh wow, I don't know how to do that") or is it inspiring ("oh wow, show me how")? Either way, we think we should definitely learn more from others in the workplace.

The discussion also covers:

- are we losing random workplace learning?

- how can we be more curious, and more grateful? 

Please share your ideas on getting the most out of workplace learning!

Thinking about your workplace: do team members feel able to admit mistakes? Do you feel comfortable asking questions, and expressing incomplete ideas?

Or do you find yourself avoiding situations, questioning your own capability, and feeling demotivated or stressed?

How you feel in the workplace is a major factor in how (and whether) you learn and develop. In this mini-podcast, Thembi and Jonathan explore Amy Edmondson's concept of 'psychological safety' and what to look out for - good and bad.

Don't bother blocking out time for learning.. just find a learning buddy instead!

In this episode, Thembi and Jonathan talk about how they used the learning buddy system to finally get round to reading a book (Julie Dirksen's Design for How People Learn). In the end, we feel more accountable to other people than to our Outlook or Google Calendars. Let's use that power!

The medieval apprenticeship model was a superb piece of learning design. Unfortunately a seven year skills programme is a hard sell in the modern workplace :)

But you can still use the apprenticeship model for your own benefit, even if you're not technically an apprentice, and even if you don't aspire to become a master violin-maker in Bavaria.

In this mini-podcast, Thembi and Jonathan offer a quick checklist: how do you know you've developed an apprenticeship mindset?

Networking is an important part of learning - and even introverts can be brilliant at it!

In this two-minute special from the floor of a buzzing exhibition centre, Thembi and Jonathan share some quick networking tips:

- how to set yourself an achievable target

- how to use social media

- how to act like a pro and collect the contacts.

Plus - after many years on the diplomatic circuit - Jonathan's top reception survival tip :)

The human brain is wired for distraction.

We're always scanning, processing and deciding on trivial things.. from noises outside the window, to WhatsApp notifications, to random thoughts about shopping.

But can you really define the human (or goldfish) attention span? In this mini-podcast, Jonathan gets grumpy about fake precision and Thembi asks, so if this is affecting our learning, what can we do about it? 

Part of learning is putting ourselves forward for new things: for new projects, for interesting experiments, for more responsibility, for stuff that looks a bit scary but will develop our confidence and skills. We need the confidence to say yes to good opportunities.

So why do we hold ourselves back?

This episode looks at 10 common psychological barriers to learning: from impostor syndrome to perfectionism, from fear of failure to cultural norms. How many can you tick off? And what can we do about it?

In this four-minute mini-podcast Thembi and Jonathan decide to pass some new legislation, and to enforce it immediately.

So please get ready to comply with:

🎇 the new National Labelling Scheme for Training, based on the traffic light model for sugar, salt and fat in foods. "Short, one-off things" are now labelled Red. Consumer choice and employer information are paramount. If it isn't based in learning science, it's not getting a Green, sorry/not sorry.

🎇 the Skills Act 2025, mandating L&D as a "golden thread" for all organisations. The national skills shortage is unaffordable. Parliament is imposing an obligation on employers and employees alike to get learning.

Admittedly this legislative plan may be a bit of a stretch, given that we're private citizens who have never bothered to stand for Parliament, let alone acquired a working majority, but let's see how it goes..

How can we use small fluffy animals to get valuable feedback?

From hypothetical guinea pig hostage situations, to coaching techniques, here's five minutes of practical advice on feedback. Let us know what you think! (except you won't.. or will you?)