Cultivating a culture of learning: the role of leadership in fostering lifelong development

Abstract

Purpose

Leadership is key to building a culture of continuous learning within organizations. This study aims to explore the pivotal role of leadership in creating a culture of constant learning within organizations by bibliometric and content analysis. It also introduces propositions and frameworks that emphasize the importance of fostering a growth mindset, encouraging knowledge sharing, promoting learning agility and leveraging technology to support lifelong development.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the Web of Science Core Collection, the author performed a complete analysis of publication features, collaboration networks and keywords in the field using VOSviewer software. Furthermore, drawing on social cognitive theory, this paper also presents propositions that integrate key concepts and strategies for fostering a culture of learning.

Findings

The data shows a large increase in publications on leadership and organizational learning, particularly since 2000, indicating an increasing interest and importance in this field. The author proposes leaders who demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and invest in learning resources empower their teams to embrace new challenges and explore innovative solutions. By fostering a culture of learning, organizations can enhance employee engagement, foster creativity and innovation and adapt more effectively to changing market dynamics.

Originality/value

This study offers a unique perspective on the role of leadership in driving learning and development initiatives. By implementing the principles, organizations can create a competitive advantage by cultivating a workforce that is agile, resilient and equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Citation

Ahsan, M.J. (2024), "Cultivating a culture of learning: the role of leadership in fostering lifelong development", The Learning Organization, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-03-2024-0099