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Making Learning Conscious - How and why to buil...

Avatar for Clare Sudbery Clare Sudbery
July 03, 2025
4

Making Learning Conscious - How and why to build a learning culture

[These slides are from my talk at Agile on the Beach, Fri 4th July 2025]

Sooner or later, all software professionals realise that there is no such thing as knowing all the things. More than any other, our industry is in a constant state of change. The more you know, the more you realise how much you don’t know.

But the most effective professionals are not only aware that the learning never stops, they embrace the challenge and the necessity of continuous improvement. Similarly, the best organisations will also not only accept this truth but face it head on.

In this talk Clare will discuss why, and how, to keep your skills and knowledge up to date – and in the process allow your organisation to retain, attract and create the most talented and effective professionals. The aim is to consider how you can nudge yourselves and your colleagues to a state of childlike fearlessness where learning is fun; is embedded in everything you do; and applies to all team members regardless of experience.

Avatar for Clare Sudbery

Clare Sudbery

July 03, 2025
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Transcript

  1. @ClareSudbery How to maintain a learning culture Learning is important

    Learning is inevitable What good looks like What bad looks like How to maximise learning opportunities
  2. @ClareSudbery What does a learning culture bring your org? Stability

    Psychological safety Innovation Flexibility Collaboration Quality Up to date Deep expertise
  3. @ClareSudbery What does a learning culture bring your org? Stability

    Psychological safety Innovation Flexibility Collaboration Quality Up to date Deep expertise
  4. @ClareSudbery What does a learning culture bring your org? Stability

    Psychological safety Innovation Flexibility Collaboration Quality Up to date Deep expertise
  5. @ClareSudbery What does a learning culture bring your org? Stability

    Psychological safety Innovation Flexibility Collaboration Quality Up to date Deep expertise
  6. @ClareSudbery What does a learning culture bring your org? Stability

    Psychological safety Innovation Flexibility Collaboration Quality Up to date Deep expertise
  7. @ClareSudbery What does a learning culture bring your org? Stability

    Psychological safety Innovation Flexibility Collaboration Quality Up to date Deep expertise
  8. @ClareSudbery What does a learning culture bring your org? Stability

    Psychological safety Innovation Flexibility Collaboration Quality Up to date Deep expertise
  9. @ClareSudbery What does a learning culture bring your org? Stability

    Psychological safety Innovation Flexibility Collaboration Quality Up to date Deep expertise
  10. @ClareSudbery When and where does learning happen? Workshops 20% time

    As-and-when courses Academies Classroom courses Apprenticeships and...
  11. @ClareSudbery When and where does learning happen? Workshops 10% time

    As-and-when courses Academies Classroom courses Apprenticeships and...
  12. @ClareSudbery When and where does learning happen? Workshops 10% time

    As-and-when courses Academies Classroom courses Apprenticeships and...
  13. @ClareSudbery When and where does learning happen? Workshops 10% time

    As-and-when courses Academies Classroom courses Apprenticeships and...
  14. @ClareSudbery When and where does learning happen? Workshops 10% time

    As-and-when courses Academies Classroom courses Apprenticeships and...
  15. @ClareSudbery “In order to be successful in modern development organizations,

    software developers need new skills. These skills are not easily learnt on a short training course or at a university. Practices like Continuous Integration and Test-Driven Development require developers to change their minute-by- minute habits and ways of working.” Emily Bache Samman Technical Coaching Society
  16. @ClareSudbery When and where does learning happen? Workshops 10% time

    As-and-when courses Academies Classroom courses Apprenticeships and...
  17. @ClareSudbery When and where does learning happen? Workshops 10% time

    As-and-when courses Academies Classroom courses Apprenticeships and...
  18. @ClareSudbery Team learning: Learning on the job Highlighting examples Retros

    Pairing Deep dive Ad-hoc workshops Tech time Lunch & learns Mobbing
  19. @ClareSudbery Team learning: Learning on the job Highlighting examples Retros

    Pairing Deep dive Ad-hoc workshops Tech time Lunch & learns Mobbing
  20. @ClareSudbery Team learning: Learning on the job Highlighting examples Retros

    Pairing Deep dive Ad-hoc workshops Tech time Lunch & learns Mobbing
  21. @ClareSudbery Team learning: Learning on the job Highlighting examples Retros

    Pairing Deep dive Ad-hoc workshops Tech time Lunch & learns Mobbing
  22. @ClareSudbery “In order to be successful in modern development organizations,

    software developers need new skills. These skills are not easily learnt on a short training course or at a university. Practices like Continuous Integration and Test-Driven Development require developers to change their minute-by- minute habits and ways of working.” Emily Bache Samman Technical Coaching Society
  23. @ClareSudbery Team learning: Learning on the job Highlighting examples Retros

    Pairing Deep dive Ad-hoc workshops Tech time Lunch & learns Mobbing
  24. @ClareSudbery Team learning: Learning on the job Highlighting examples Retros

    Pairing Deep dive Ad-hoc workshops Tech time Lunch & learns Mobbing
  25. @ClareSudbery Team learning: Learning on the job Highlighting examples Retros

    Pairing Deep dive Ad-hoc workshops Tech time Lunch & learns Mobbing
  26. @ClareSudbery Team learning: Learning on the job Highlighting examples Retros

    Pairing Deep dive Ad-hoc workshops Tech time Lunch & learns Mobbing
  27. @ClareSudbery Learn by... Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at

    data Feedback Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself...
  28. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  29. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  30. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  31. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  32. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  33. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  34. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  35. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  36. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  37. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  38. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  39. @ClareSudbery Doing Taking ownership Making mistakes Looking at data Feedback

    Teaching Collaboration Having fun Sharing Being trusted Addressing not just tech Being kind to yourself... Learn by...
  40. @ClareSudbery The Stupidity Manifesto LET’S STOP MAKING EACH OTHER FEEL

    STUPID. INSTEAD, LET’S… * ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ASK QUESTIONS * Lead by example: Be honest when we’re confused * Value curiosity over knowledge * Prioritise clarity over jargon * Remember we all forget stuff * Get excited about teaching and learning * Acknowledge the broad range of knowledge in our industry, and avoid judging someone if their knowledge doesn’t match ours LET’S STOP MAKING EACH OTHER FEEL STUPID. Sign the manifesto:
  41. @ClareSudbery Innovation Collaboration Up to date Deep expertise Quality Flexibility

    Safety Stability Accept it Embrace it Seek it Learning is everywhere Recognise the benefits Know what bad looks like Provide different avenues Summary – Part 1 Blame Elitism Derision Impatience Blind deadlines Inflexibility Denial Complacency 20% time Academies Apprenticeships Workshops Classroom Ad hoc courses On the job
  42. @ClareSudbery Doing things Feedback Collaboration Sharing Being trusted Not just

    tech Pairing Workshops Lunch & learns Mobbing Tech time Deep dive Good examples Retros No blame Questions Exploration Time Freedom Empathy Diversity Learn on the job Learn by… Learn by… Know what good looks like Summary – Part 2 Being kind Having fun Teaching Data Mistakes Ownership
  43. @ClareSudbery Learning is unavoidable – celebrate it! Ask, answer and

    encourage ALL questions Do not judge people for what they don’t know All “failures” are opportunities to learn You can learn by teaching You can learn by doing You don’t have to learn on your own Takeaways