Starting a learning group is a fantastic way to share knowledge, build skills, and connect with others. It requires defining your goals, selecting the right participants, and planning engaging sessions.
Getting Started: Define Your Purpose and Topic
Before recruiting anyone, clearly define what your learning group will focus on.
- Choose a Topic: What specific subject, skill, or area of knowledge will the group explore? Examples include leadership development, a new software tool, industry trends, or a specific book.
- Set Goals: What do you hope participants will gain from being part of this group? Is it knowledge acquisition, skill practice, networking, or a combination?
- Determine the Format: Will it be formal presentations, informal discussions, project-based learning, or a mix?
Building Your Learning Group
Who you invite is crucial to the group's success and dynamic.
Carefully Select Participants
- Put some thought into the "who." Consider the experience levels, backgrounds, and interests of potential members.
- Aim for Diversity: As suggested by best practices, pairing leaders with individuals from different divisions, functions, or locations can expose them to people they don't normally work with, enriching perspectives and fostering broader connections.
- Ensure Commitment: Look for individuals genuinely interested in the topic and willing to actively participate.
Keep the Group Small
- Keep groups small to ensure everyone has a chance to contribute, ask questions, and feel connected.
- Smaller groups (often 5-8 people) facilitate deeper discussion and engagement compared to larger ones.
Planning Your Sessions
Consistency and effective structure are key to maintaining momentum.
Determine Your Cadence
- Consider cadence: How often will the group meet? Weekly or bi-weekly meetings tend to work well for maintaining consistency and momentum.
- Establish a regular schedule so members can easily plan around it.
Keep Sessions Short and Focused
- Keep learning sessions short. Busy schedules mean that long meetings can be draining. Aim for sessions that are concise and respect everyone's time.
- Often, 60-90 minutes is sufficient to cover material and allow for discussion without causing fatigue.
Structure and Content
- Plan the content or activities for each session in advance.
- Assign pre-reading or preparation tasks if necessary.
- Design sessions to be interactive, encouraging participation from all members.
Facilitating and Sustaining the Group
Effective facilitation keeps discussions on track and ensures a positive learning environment.
- Establish basic ground rules for respectful communication.
- Rotate facilitation responsibilities if appropriate to build leadership skills among members.
- Regularly check in with the group to gather feedback and adjust the format or topics as needed.
- Celebrate learning milestones and acknowledge contributions to keep motivation high.
By following these steps and incorporating key principles like keeping groups small, sessions short, considering a consistent cadence, and thoughtfully selecting diverse participants, you can successfully launch and run an effective learning group.
