How Top Managers Create Effective, Personalized Learning Approaches

Investing in employee growth and development is vital for companies aiming to stay competitive. Perceptyx's State of Employee Listening 2025 report found that while traditional group training remains the most common approach (used by 48% of organizations), new methods are rapidly gaining ground. Asynchronous digital platforms (33%) and AI-powered learning solutions like Perceptyx’s Grow (32%) are now eclipsing traditional one-on-one coaching (30%), offering more scalable and personalized development opportunities.

This shift comes at a critical time. Organizations with effective L&D programs are seeing substantial business benefits: 2.3x higher likelihood of meeting financial targets, 2.3x better workforce engagement and retention, and 2.2x greater adaptability to change. Our research also found that successful coaching and development programs are nearly three times more likely to have clearly defined outcomes, underscoring the importance of strategic, goal-oriented approaches.

Most notably, personalization has emerged as a decisive factor. 7 in 10 HR leaders report increasing personalization in their L&D programs over the past year, with nearly three-quarters planning further customization in the coming year. Programs leveraging specific employee data are nearly twice as likely to be rated as effective, with mature listening organizations having a distinct advantage — they're 1.8x more likely to use 360 feedback and employee experience data to tailor learning experiences.

Perceptyx has highlighted the following leading practices leveraged by many of the world’s most recognizable brands in shaping employee growth and development.

Personalize Your Approach to Development

A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to employee development. Managers must take the time to understand the unique career goals and aspirations of their team members. By tailoring development plans to each individual’s needs and providing targeted experiences and skill-building opportunities, managers can help employees grow in alignment with both their personal ambitions and the organization’s goals. Providing continuous feedback and coaching is equally important. Effective managers focus on helping employees hone their strengths while addressing areas that need improvement.

Cultivate a Culture of Learning

As businesses and customer demands evolve, employee training and development must keep pace. Exceptional managers not only ensure their team members have the skills needed for their current roles but also assign stretch assignments that prepare employees for future challenges. This could involve learning to navigate emerging technologies like AI or developing additional technical expertise that will become increasingly relevant in the not so distant future. Incorporating external learning resources, such as podcasts, LinkedIn Learning courses, journal articles, and other tools, can further expand employees’ capabilities beyond their immediate responsibilities.

Lead by Example 

Supporting employee growth and development is a core responsibility of any manager. However, fostering an authentic culture of continuous learning requires more than just encouraging others — it means leading by example. Just as you might model behaviors that promote work-life balance, openly share your own learning experiences. What skills are you working on? What strategies have been effective, and what challenges have you faced? Make space in team meetings for discussions about growth and development, ensuring you share your own experiences while also encouraging your team to do the same.

Foster Learning Through Team Collaboration 

A great way to build a culture of continuous learning is by incorporating team-based goals and activities that encourage shared growth and foster a culture of continuous conversation. Establishing team learning goals can be especially effective in reinforcing this mindset. Think creatively about the types of goals your team can co-create. For example, organizing a quarterly book club, hosting monthly knowledge-sharing sessions where team members teach back new concepts, or running skills challenges — such as designing an analysis to demonstrate ROI — can make learning interactive and engaging. These collaborative experiences not only inspire growth and exploration but also help strengthen skills in a fun and dynamic way.

Expand Learning Networks Through Mentorship

Mentorship is another powerful way to support skill development and broaden employees’ perspectives. By connecting team members with mentors — whether it be senior colleagues from within the team or individuals from other departments — managers enable employees to benefit from diverse experiences and insights.

The best managers take the time to seek out mentors, both within and outside of their teams, who have skills and experiences that others can benefit from. Mentorship not only enhances individual skills but also fosters collaboration across the organization, helping employees develop a deeper understanding of customer needs and the broader business landscape. These relationships contribute to personal growth and help align the team with organizational objectives.

Recognize Employee Growth in Meaningful Ways

One of the most effective ways to encourage employees to keep learning and improving their skills is to acknowledge their progress and achievements. The best managers take the time to understand how each employee prefers to be recognized. While some may appreciate being highlighted in team meetings or one-on-one conversations, others might find formal recognition during performance reviews more motivating. Tailoring recognition to individual preferences ensures that employees feel valued and encouraged to continue their growth.

Recognition isn’t just about celebrating promotions or major milestones. It can also be a powerful tool for employee development. In fact, when asked how they prefer to be recognized, many employees prioritize development opportunities. Effective managers can acknowledge progress by offering stretch assignments, executive coaching, and other developmental experiences. For example, giving employees the chance to apply newly acquired skills on meaningful projects not only reinforces their learning but also allows them to showcase their achievements to peers and leaders.

Create Space for Psychological Safety

Learning, growth, and development can only thrive in an environment where employees feel safe taking risks and making mistakes. Without the ability to step outside their comfort zones and embrace a growth mindset, meaningful progress becomes difficult. As a manager, it’s essential to create a space where employees feel encouraged to experiment, take on new challenges, and explore work beyond their current expertise. Take the time to understand their career aspirations and provide opportunities that support their development. Most importantly, be the kind of leader who welcomes questions, normalizes setbacks, and reassures employees that it’s safe to learn through experience.

Deeper Insights on Employee Development

Our research indicates that the integration of listening programs and learning initiatives creates a powerful synergy. Organizations with mature listening strategies are nearly twice as likely to succeed with their coaching and development programs compared to those with less advanced listening practices (77% vs. 40%). This connection highlights how employee feedback can dramatically improve L&D effectiveness when used to personalize learning experiences.

The 2025 State of Employee Listening report also reveals that career growth and performance enablement have emerged as top priorities for organizations this year, ranking second (40%) and third (39%) respectively, among areas where companies seek employee feedback. This heightened focus reflects a growing recognition that development opportunities directly impact key metrics, including engagement, retention, and organizational agility.

Grow from Perceptyx: Turning Insights Into Development Action

This article provides just a glimpse into how managers can drive effective growth and development. For organizations looking to implement these strategies, Grow from Perceptyx offers a comprehensive solution that transforms leadership development through behavioral science and AI.

Grow empowers your managers with AI-assisted development planning, Intelligent Nudges, and comprehensive 360 feedback — exactly what you need to implement the personalized learning approaches our research shows deliver measurably superior business outcomes. With features like personalized behavioral nudges that boost manager performance by 40% and create lasting behavior change 51% more effectively than traditional training, Grow enables continuous development aligned with both personal goals and organizational competencies.

Perceptyx Can Help You Personalize Learning & Development

Download the complete State of Employee Listening 2025 report for a comprehensive analysis of how organizations are integrating listening and learning to achieve business results.

To see how Perceptyx’s Grow can help your managers become effective agents of change through personalized development, schedule a demo with a member of our team today.

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