The Knowledge Academy describes psychology as “the scientific study of the human mind and behavior”. Researchers and authors have analyzed the psychology of learning and development using multiple principles, techniques, and factors. Also, they have highlighted the positive impact of learning and development (L&D) on the psyche of students and working professionals.
Companies and startups, like educational institutions, gain financial and psychological benefits by spending money on L&D. They drive L&D initiatives by creating opportunities for employees to hone their existing job skills and develop in-demand job skills. Enterprises help employees acquire new skillsets and capabilities by running upskilling programs.
In addition, they run reskilling programs that help employees transition to new job roles by developing in-demand job skills. In addition to keeping employees motivated, these L&D programs impact their mental well-being positively. At the same time, investment in L&D helps companies get higher returns in the short and long runs. We can understand the psychology of L&D based on some of these positive impacts and benefits.
Psychology of Learning and Development: 9 Important Benefits of L&D
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Keep Minds Active
According to the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, an adult’s brain shrinks gradually as his age increases. The brain shrinkage impacts his ability to keep information like names, phone numbers, and passwords in mind. Hence, employees often find it challenging to keep their brains active and perform professional responsibilities.
Multiple studies have highlighted how an adult’s mind becomes and remains active when he learns a new skill. L&D creates opportunities for employees to learn new skills regularly. Reskilling programs help employees keep their brains active and improve cognitive functionality while reducing the impacts of aging.
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Reduce AI Anxiety
Intelligence technologies have been transforming business processes and activities through end-to-end automation. Many enterprises these days invest in AI-powered tools to perform important tasks efficiently without human intervention. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) often makes working professionals experience insecurity and anxiety.
Many employees experience stress when they realize their job skills will soon become irrelevant. L&D creates opportunities for employees to acquire in-demand job skills. Many employees join upskilling and reskilling programs to stay relevant in the age of intelligence technologies. Hence, L&D contributes hugely towards making employees feel secure and confident in an agile work environment.
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Increase Job Satisfaction
Employees often do not feel motivated and committed to performing professional responsibilities when they are not satisfied with their jobs. Lack of opportunities for professional development and career growth is often cited as key factors affecting employees’ job satisfaction.
L&D contributes towards increasing job satisfaction by driving professional growth and creating career growth opportunities. It becomes easier for an employee to accomplish career goals when he acquires in-demand job skills and hones existing job skills.
At the same time, reskilling programs enable employees to enter more challenging positions in the same organization. The increase in job satisfaction keeps employees motivated and engaged. At the same time, it becomes easier for organizations to control the high cost of employee turnover.
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Build Technical Confidence
Automation tools help enterprises boost operational efficiency and curtail operating costs simultaneously. Each company or startup these days automates routine and recurring business activities by implementing robust tech tools. Also, they enable employees to make the most of these automation tools by providing training.
However, many employees still do not feel confident enough to leverage automation tools. L&D boosts employees’ confidence levels by making them learn new technologies. The understanding of cutting-edge technologies enables them to use new tech tools confidently. Also, employees contribute towards the selection of automation tools by sharing feedback and making suggestions.
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Drive Employee Motivation
Multiple studies have highlighted the positive impact of L&D on employee motivation and performance. Employees feel excited and motivated when they acquire skills for solving real-time problems and challenges. Many employees further acknowledge the achievements of employees by giving awards, recognitions, and salary increments.
The motivation further drives employee engagement and job satisfaction. The career growth opportunities created by L&D motivate employees to make the work environment positive by bringing commitment and enthusiasm. At the same time, increased employee motivation helps enterprises curb high employee turnover rates.
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Beat Boredom and Stress
Most employees perform the same tasks and activities every day. The repetitive activities often make them feel bored and experience stress. Employees can beat boredom and remain stress-free by acquiring new skills regularly. They can apply the skills to boost operational efficiency and experiment with new ideas.
The new skills will impact their mental and physical health positively by changing habits and mindsets. An employee will not feel bored or stressed as the new skill will boost his level of happiness. Hence, L&D boosts the productivity and performance of employees by beating boredom and relieving stress.
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Foster Team Bonding
Their packed work schedules make it difficult for employees to interact and build trust with each other. The absence of regular communication and interaction often makes it challenging for organizations to leverage the benefits of team bonding in the workplace. L&D programs create opportunities for employees to interact and collaborate while developing skills.
While building employee training portals, L&D managers can facilitate collaboration and interaction by adding features like discussion forums and query corners. The team bonding makes employees confident and unleashes their creativity. Also, a positive work culture keeps employees engaged and motivated during working hours.
Conclusion
Leading researchers have highlighted the psychological benefits of L&D in modern work environments. Companies and startups leverage the financial and psychological benefits of L&D by running multiple L&D programs. Also, they leverage online learning (eLearning) to boost L&D initiatives by reducing costs and complexities.
For instance, enterprises implement learning management systems (LMS) to create, deliver, manage, and monitor multiple L&D programs efficiently. Likewise, digital library software helps enterprises deliver off-the-shelf and curated eLearning content to employees in several formats. Many enterprises further build unified learning platforms by integrating individual eLearning tools and solutions.
About Mintbook
Mintbook helps enterprises run multiple L&D programs efficiently by providing a unified learning platform. The integrated platform enables companies and startups to combine essential eLearning tools like a learning management system (LMS), digital library software, and classroom software. Also, the enterprise can customize and scale these cloud-based online learning tools according to its precise L&D needs.
