Tool: 20 Ways to Develop Skills and Knowledge
Talent development professionals, leaders and self-directed learners often create specific development plans around gaining experience and building skills and knowledge. The “go to” option is often formal training—such as facilitator-led programs and conferences. We find it helpful in working with coachees or participants to think beyond formal training in order to create plans that have variety and tap into different modes and methods of learning.
To support these efforts, we created this quick-reference collection of 20 ways to develop skills, abilities and knowledge. Use it to introduce options that might not otherwise be considered when creating an individual development plan.
Share it with direct reports, coachees, participants and others as you create meaningful, well-rounded development plans.
20 ways to learn beyond the classroom
Explore the cards to consider a broader mix of experience, relationships, reflection and formal learning.
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01 Experience Work in another location or site.
Notice how priorities, customers and local practices change the way work gets done.
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02
People leadership
Manage an intern or onboard a new employee.
Build delegation, coaching and communication skills while helping someone contribute sooner.
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03 Stretch assignment Take on a challenging one-time project.
Practice unfamiliar skills through a meaningful assignment with a clear finish line.
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04
Problem solving
Solve a problem related to your role.
Turn a real performance need into focused practice and a measurable improvement.
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05
Relationships
Enlarge your network by joining a professional group.
Learn from peers outside your usual circle and bring fresh ideas back to work.
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06 Observation Shadow a peer, customer or manager.
Observe decisions and behaviors in context, then reflect on what you can apply.
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07
Teaching
Train others on a new technology, process or skill.
Organize your knowledge, explain it clearly and respond to questions from others.
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08
Mentoring
Establish a mentorship relationship.
Use a trusted relationship to gain perspective, guidance and candid feedback.
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09
Feedback
Initiate a feedback or feedforward discussion.
Ask for specific insight and translate it into a practical next action.
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10
Coaching
Engage a professional coach.
Use structured reflection and accountability to accelerate progress on a defined goal.
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11
Reflection
Debrief an on-the-job experience with an expert.
Convert experience into learning by examining what happened, why and what to try next.
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12 Expertise Interview a subject matter expert.
Prepare focused questions to uncover useful knowledge, judgment and practical advice.
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13
Self-insight
Take an assessment or complete an inventory.
Use structured insight to identify strengths, priorities and opportunities for growth.
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14
Digital learning
Complete an online learning program.
Build knowledge at your own pace and apply it between focused learning sessions.
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15
Knowledge sharing
Contribute to a Wiki or knowledge base.
Clarify what you know by documenting it in a useful form for other people.
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16
Reading
Read articles or blogs and identify what you can apply.
Turn reading into development by choosing a concrete idea to test in your work.
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17
Formal learning
Attend in-house or external training.
Use a structured program to build shared language, practice skills and receive feedback.
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18 Community Go to a professional conference.
Explore new perspectives, compare practices and build relationships across your field.
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19
Media
Watch keynotes or videos.
Learn from concise demonstrations and ideas, then note what you want to apply.
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20 Education Complete higher education courses or certifications.
Develop deeper expertise through sustained study and recognized standards of practice.
