Seeking Engaging Work Topics for Office Learning Sessions – What Would You Suggest?

I am planning to propose a regular "interactive" learning session in my office, and I need some good ideas on work-related topics that I can line up for discussion. I need topics that will encourage my office-mates to open up, share their ideas and experiences, and at the same time, help create a good working environment for all of us. Need your ideas as soon as possible, please. Thanks!

In addition to what Mr. Jacob has indicated, you can add other popular management concepts like motivational theories, real-life events with learning, humorous anecdotes, safety aspects, and Quality Management Systems like TQM, TPM, 5S, OHSAS 18001, ISO 14001, etc., as applicable to your organization. You can chalk out a calendar and invite people to make brief presentations.

Regards,
V. Raghunathan
Navi Mumbai

How about starting with a short discussion of their role? This can help in opening up. From there, you can move on to a topic like their biggest learning of the day, week, or month. There can even be discussions on any new skills gained as a result of working at the organization. Another idea is to invite them to appreciate anyone within the group or even outside it within the company for their good work, support, or effort.

For all the theories and everything that is being suggested to you, I think the above topics are comfortable, positive, and non-controversial. All the members will start interacting, which will itself generate motivating ideas and further topics for discussion. I believe that sessions like this should be free of any agenda or specific topics to encourage a free flow of ideas.

Regards,
Vishal Kulshrestha
TRAINER@WORK

Proposal for Interactive Learning Sessions

1. Search on Google for a very effective methodology for this kind of initiative: OPEN SPACE methodology.

2. Do you have employee survey results? If so, use this material. People will feel very engaged because they have given their opinion and now have the chance to provide insights for improvement.

Regards

This is a brilliant idea to have motivational and training programs at regular intervals. The topics suggested earlier are good, and even more can be found. It would be better to select programs that are more relevant to your organizational needs than generally popular topics.

Another suggestion is to involve different core members or departmental heads for every different program. It would be more fun to have a different presenter every time. However, you can work as a coordinator and help the presenter in their preparation or collection of relevant material. This will, besides motivating everyone, help to get closer to every individual and improve your relations with them.

Regards.

I appreciate your idea to motivate your office-mates. To start with, you can choose life-related topics like work-life balance, exercises you can do at your desk, healthy lifestyle, personal financial planning, healthy diet, etc. Or you can choose business-related topics like customer centricity (if you feel your team will respond better to these).

Regards,
Pallavi