Compound Learning

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was first proposed in 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation” in the journal Psychological Review. Since that time, his theory has been expanded by subsequent developmental psychologists to explain how fulfilling basic human needs impacts psychological health. Despite its critics, this hierarchy succinctly demonstrates the successive inputs and actions can lead to emotional wellbeing.

Organisational wellbeing is no different than an individual’s, and organisational health is dependent on a sequential inputs and actions to develop people and performance. We propose that onethe determinates of organizationalhealth islearning.  Our Hierarchy of Compound Learning features three levels of organisational learning needs: functional skills, soft skills, and problem-solving.  

Functional skills are the base-line requirement for any professional, while soft skills distinguish a successful leader from a competent expert. Problem-solving occurs when a leader uses functional expertise, business acumen, emotional intelligence, and effective communication to improve performance and increase productivity.

Peter Senge famously coined the term ‘’learning organization,’’ but his theory limited the value of learning primarily to a company’s experiences in the marketplace. Our theory of Compound Learning© says that learning can take place both in the ‘real world’ and in a reflexive and adaptive ‘learning environment.’

Compound Learning©, much like compound interest, has a temporal dimension: the more an organizationengages in learning, the higher the return.  Lifelong Learning and reskilling are not new concepts, but our framework conceptualises tiers of learning with recommended compound learning modalities.

Functional skills can be learned online, soft skills are better learned face-to-faceor in a blended customised executive education program, while problem-solving can accomplished in consulting engagements that might combine elements of functional and soft skills building.

Percipient Partners has a proven track record of developing world-class online courses, leading customised executive education programs, and successful consulting engagements.