Learning agility has become an essential workplace skill. With generative AI reshaping the way work gets done, as well as continued economic uncertainty, both individuals and organizations have a stake in building a learning culture. For organizations, learning agility means building a resilient and adaptable organization that can weather change. For individuals, it means having the resources to refresh old skills and learn new ones to stay current.
Of particular note are middle managers, who have outsized effects on employee experience, job satisfaction, and productivity. But with unsustainable workloads and limited organizational support, many of today’s managers are struggling to have a positive impact on their teams. Only 48% of managers strongly agree that they currently have the skills needed to be exceptional at their job, according to a 2023 Gallup report. In our own survey data, managers’ top barrier to learning new skills or material in their jobs was “no available time.”
Enter new generative AI tools: Using AI for mastery-based learning allows individuals to mirror the context of their everyday experience, tailored to an individual's needs and learning styles. Already, many workers have turned to generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT to develop learning plans, receive coaching and tutoring, and practice skills through role-playing scenarios. Leaders now have an opportunity to build on individual experimentation within their workplaces by rolling out an organization-wide learning strategy powered by AI.
In short, generative AI offers the chance to return to an apprenticeship model, learning by asking questions, receiving context-specific ideas and suggestions, having advice tailored to a rich knowledge of the user, and getting feedback on real scenarios. Download our new playbook, “The AI Educator: Using artificial intelligence to transform manager development,” for practical advice on how to do just that, based on the science of learning, interviews with experts and practitioners, and Charter’s original survey data from managers and learning and development (L&D) leaders.
This playbook was sponsored by Valence.
We’re supporting HR leaders’ strategic leadership on AI and work, equipping them to own the redefinition of jobs and establishment of planning, policies, and culture around this far-reaching technology shift.
You can contact us at ai@charterworks.com to talk about how to adapt your organization to the changing world of AI. Follow along with our AI research and strategy briefing memos: