Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2023 - 27

S
taying competitive requires a
constant focus on learning and
development (L&D). Among the
many different approaches to learning
in the workplace, one has proven to
be particularly effective, yet remains
strangely elusive: communities of
practice (CoPs).
Communities of practice are like secret
societies for professionals. But instead
of performing arcane rituals and plotting
world domination, CoP members come
together to share knowledge and skills,
and to improve their craft. These groups
have become all the rage in recent years
as a way to foster collaboration, spread
best practices and build trust within
teams. Yet, they are often misunderstood
and misused.
What is a CoP?
CoPs are informal and organic groups
of individuals who share a common
profession
or
interest
and
engage
in regular, ongoing discussions and
activities to improve their skills. They
exist in a variety of settings: professional
associations, online forums and within
and across departments and services.
Many successful CoPs have been the
spontaneous, informal ones.
CoPs
provide
space
to
share
experiences and knowledge with peers,
which is highly valuable for onboarding
new employees. By participating in
a CoP, they can learn from collective
intelligence and tacit knowledge, rather
In addition, CoPs help build stronger
connections and collaboration among
team members. Patrick Lencioni
paved the way with his book, " The
Five Dysfunctions of a Team. "
Benefits of CoPs
ǵ Provides a space to share experiences grounded in practice.
ǵ Allows more effective and shorter onboarding.
ǵ Creates more agile and adaptable learning.
ǵ Builds stronger connections and trust among team members.
ǵ Improves morale and motivation, which can in turn improve
overall performance.
ǵ Supplements coaching and mentoring programs.
than relying solely on employee guides
and explicit formal trainings.
CoPs are also most effective when
experienced employees want to stay
abreast of industry developments
and best practices. By participating
in discussions and activities with their
peers, they continue to build knowledge
and skills in their field.
Fail Early, Trust Often
The benefits of CoPs go beyond
individual learning and have a significant
impact on the overall performance of
the organization. First and foremost,
they provide a safe space for employees
to share their ideas and experiences. In
a CoP, people express their thoughts
and opinions without fear of retribution
or criticism. This can be especially
important in rapidly changing industries
or those with frequent disruptions.
Through fostering trust and continuous
knowledge sharing, CoPs help create
more agile and adaptable teams.
By engaging in discussions and activities
with more experienced professionals,
CoP members gain new knowledge and
skills and build their confidence in an
environment where failing is considered
an essential part of the learning process.
TRAINING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE - SPRING 2023 I WWW.TRAININGINDUSTRY.COM/MAGAZINE
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Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2023

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