Strategic Learning & Development at the Heart of Organisational Success

Yesterday evening, the Presidents Lounge at Dublin City University (DCU) welcomed current participants of and alumni of the MSc in Strategic Learning & Development for a networking reception and engaging “In Conversation with…” panel event on the Strategic Importance of Learning and Development for the Now and the Future of Work.

Hosted and MC’d by Professor Claire Gubbins DCU Business School and the Centre for Executive and
International Education (CEIE) at DCU and the Learning and Development Institute (L&DI)- the panel
brought together diverse perspectives from across sectors and included:
1. Heather Lowry – Head of Talent, Diversity & Organisation Development, An Post
2. Mairead Dunne – Senior Investment & Commercial Manager, Enterprise Ireland
3. Pete Smyth – Owner & CEO, Broadlake
4. Thomas Redmond – Training Project Manager, Global Wind Organisation, and soon to be graduate of the DCU MSc in Strategic Learning and Development

The Future IS Learning & Organisational Development
With a conversation focused on the strategic positioning of L&D and the impact of L&D for the world of work now and into the future, one key theme articulated by all speakers was that L&D is imperative to any organisations competitive positioning, success, brand and ability to meet future demands.

For some L&D is central to the organisational transformations required to meet the digital, skills and sustainability challenges of now and the future and as such L&D must be at the top table to future-proof the organisation. For one speaker L&D is a requirement, manager-owned, a mindset, in the DNA of the organisation for it to be successful. Talent designs your vision and ambition.

There is and needs to be a shift from a shift from L&D owned programmes to co-created learning ecosystems with employees and customers

The Future needs Humans and Human- Centric Skills
A second theme emerging from the conversation centred on a number of digital transformation projects which can transform the service propositions in each speakers’ organisation, however, everyone was especially vocal that while technologies will improve efficiencies, help do some types of tasks, the USP as it was called lies with the human and the people skills.

L&D Voice and Brand
It was noted that L&D is often not good as representing themselves and their work. The importance of the L&D brand internally and externally to an organisation was emphasised to showcase L&D work and the organisation.

The Future
Meet people where they are at and as such getting to know employees and needs analysis to determine personalised learning pathways is key. Patience to develop people is needed. Human only skills will be organisations USP

We are going back to learning from each other as we do our work, in the flow or work, bite sized and as needed. We need to allow mistakes, learn from failure and reduce risk aversion to this method of learning. We need to develop leaders whom can manage in increasingly different, digital workplaces and in a geopolitical context that requires very different leadership, likely more employee relations work and
adaptability.

Continuous learning and enhanced agility of L&D professionals is a necessity- need to engage in continuous learning to keep pace with changing technological developments, need to develop people analytic skills- not wait for the data scientists and analytics team to arrive- need to be ahead of the curve not chasing it.

Overall, the theme of continuous learning and curiosity came up again and again, to learn as we did as children, through exploration.
The conclusion was this- if every CEO and Top Team Leader heard the conversations had in the room at this event, they would listen and certainly want to embed L&D.

Ready to shape the future of work through Learning & Development?
The conversations at DCU highlighted one truth: L&D is no longer optional – it’s strategic, human, and vital to organisational success. If you’re ready to lead that change, discover how the MSc in Strategic Learning & Development at DCU can equip you with the tools, insights, and network to make real impact.