A Treatise on the Litmos Guide to L&D Etiquette

Gentle reader, 

What is etiquette? It is not simply a set of manners. Nor is it a list of polite customs to be memorized and performed. No, the social graces run much deeper than that. Etiquette, simply put, is the art of thoughtfulness. Through it, we show consideration for the feelings of others, and our concern for their comfort and well-being. Etiquette is a gift we give to those around us, both in our private lives and in the workplace. 

And what, reader, does this have to do with workplace learning? How is it that you, a consumer of a learning & development blog, find yourself reading about etiquette? Do not turn away, for etiquette has a great deal to do with learning!

For one thing, etiquette is a skill, and can be taught. For another, learning itself is a form of etiquette, insofar as it shows a concern for the feelings and comfort of your learners. However, etiquette is not limited to the purveyors of learning; learners too must show decorum. 

To help both, our own Sir Lennington has compiled a handbook of L&D Etiquette and Manners outlining two separate sets of etiquette: one for those who practice learning and development as a profession, and another for those for whom assignments of learning have been set forth. 

Below, we offer a sample of the advice set forth in his manual. We hope you will find it useful in your own learning endeavors. 

Etiquette for purveyors of learning & development programs

It may help to think of learning in the workplace as a dinner party. Learners are the guests and the purveyors of learning are the hosts. As such, purveyors of learning and development bear the time-honored hosting duty of hospitality. 

Implement New Solutions in a Timely Fashion

Learning and development professionals are ever seeking new and better technology. However, once the decision to implement a new solution has been made, it is best to move firmly and decisively. Do not keep one’s learners waiting, or wavering between platforms — implement your LMS as soon as you are able, and provide the proper onboarding so that your learners can use every new solution with confidence. 

Intermingle with Worthy Wares

Once at ease with the selection of your learning management system, you must make proper introductions to your existing technology. For example, you may wish to integrate learning into the customer relationship management (CRM) system. Thereby you may serve your learners targeted training without the inconvenience of their having to leave the CRM. Your learners will surely appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Do Not Indulge in Over-daring Design

We may all agree that style is compelling. It is important to customize your platform so that it blends with your brand. However, your design should remain within the bounds of taste and respectability. Too garish of a design is an assault upon the senses! Maintain a streamlined, understated style; an eyeache is not what you want your learners to take away from your learning. 

Create Compelling Courses in a Kind Environment

Effective learning is both compelling and accessible. Without the marriage of engaging content and a welcoming technological environment, a learner cannot thrive. If we only have one or the other, thorough learning is unlikely to transpire. We must have both! To suit all the senses of our learners, let us cast our eye upon the merits of content authoring within a strong, supportive learning management system. 

Curate with a Discerning Eye

While course creation is, of course, intrinsic to learning and development, we cannot overlook the importance of outside content. There is no reason not to utilize courses from outside libraries. Such content frees you to create the most important bespoke courses for your learners. But! When using content off the shelf, you must take care to use only the finest, most relevant learning. Your learners deserve only the highest quality content.

Grant Purposeful Paths

Consideration for your learners’ success is paramount in learning and development. One of the greatest kindnesses you can bestow is to help them progress in their chosen careers by creating a learning path. Learning paths pave well-designed avenues for a learner’s thorough development in a particular area of study.

Educator, Teach Thyself!

As purveyors of training programs, we sometimes exclude ourselves from the benefits of learning. This deprives both us and our learners: we may not completely understand our learning platform, and our learners may suffer from our ignorance. It is of great importance that we understand our learning systems, and are able to leverage its powers for the good of your learners. 

Quickly Make Proper Introductions

When a new learner is brought forth, there is no time to dally! Make haste and add the learner to the learning system forthwith! This may be done most swiftly by using an automated learning system, such as Litmos, whereby one can automatically assign content, teams, and brands to a learner, based on a defined set of rules.

Maintain a Tidy Library

It hardly needs saying: your duties as host include cleanliness and organization. One cannot adhere to even the most basic etiquette practices if one’s life is bereft of simple standards of neatness. The same can be said for learning; once you have invited learners into your library, it is most courteous to ensure that your learners can find what they need there. Out with stale content, and in with the most relevant learning, all meticulously arranged so that it’s accessible and organized. 

Report & Analyze Dutifully

One cannot appreciate the progress of one’s learners without careful analysis. Taking the time to look at the charts and graphs measuring a learner’s progress is essential toward managing their growth, and ensuring their needs are met. Which, of course, is your duty as host. 

Etiquette for learners in the polite society of a business

Much has been said of the host’s duty in learning matters. However, there are also rules governing the behavior of a well-mannered guest. As a learner, your host expects a certain level of decorum as you progress throughout the learning path that has been carefully and thoughtfully prepared for you. Let us read on to discover the rules of deportment for learners.  

Mind What’s Mandatory

The table has been laid, dear learners. Not to partake of the learning set in front of you? That would be an affront to your host. It is true that, at times, you may find it difficult to complete each course that has been marked as required. However, pace yourself and you will do fine — the learning and development experts in your organization have your best interests at heart. Keep an open mind as you undertake your learning path. You might even be surprised by what you learn.

Consume in Modest Quantities

There was once a time when learning was served in heaping quantities, but thankfully, it is out of fashion to prepare a feast of learning and expect one to consume it quickly. These days, microlearning is à la mode. Tiny nibbles of learning are much more suitable for those savvy learners looking to accomplish the most in the least amount of time. Remember: small bites (and chew with the mouth closed). 

Game Heartily but Humbly

Ah, the thrill of sport! Who among us does not appreciate a stimulating round of gamification? Genteel competition energizes nearly every type of learning; learners find points and leaderboards a rousing addition to their courses and learning modules. However, we must strive to game with grace: accept your points with sportsmanship and remain humble in even your most cherished moments of victory,

Move with Mobility and Grace 

You need not be tethered to a desk all day to enjoy learning. Indeed, time spent learning out of doors can be a charming addition to your workday. The very best learning management systems are easily transportable, so that one can complete training assignments from a location other than the formal office. You may therefore choose to consume learning in any location: while taking the air at a cafe, whilst promending at a park, or even in a hot air balloon! The world is yours. 

Be of Good Countenance on Camera

Many learners have recently grown accustomed to being visible via a video camera for meetings, courses, and conferences. Members of the best society have mastered on-camera skills, putting forth a cheery disposition and knowing when to deploy proper muting. However, not all learners have learned these skills. It is incumbent on all to learn how to appear on camera, and to behave as cordially on video as we would in person. 

Sensibly Share Opinions

Today’s learning management systems extend themselves beautifully to the collection of feedback and opinion. Learners should feel encouraged to actively provide reasonable feedback so that purveyors of learning can better their offerings. It is important to be kind, however, even in the frankest of criticisms. Feelings are delicate, and words can harm even when wrapped in the best of intentions. 

Comply with Utmost Courtesy

Compliance is rarely a learner’s favorite content, perhaps due to its dry nature. It is, however, a foundational element in any training program. Though a learner may not eagerly anticipate compliance courses, it is incumbent upon them to meet their compliance requirements swiftly. 

Graciously Accept Assessment by Others

Accepting feedback is not always easy, but assessment is a necessary part of workplace learning, and it is incumbent upon learners to accept feedback with grace. Only though feedback can we properly adjust our approach to learning, and master the tasks that have been set for us. 

Aim for Exceptional Aptitudes

It is, indeed, one of the highest aims in professional life, to strive for excellence in our skillsets.  essential to strive for excellence in our chosen skillsets. Do not be timid when it comes to requesting learning from the powers that be! It is highly unlikely that you would be held back in pursuing new goals, and most often it is quite the opposite – your leaders and your peers will respect your commitment to ongoing growth and development. 

Develop Pleasing Traits of Character

As it is admirable to pursue new skillsets, it is equally — if not more so — honorable to better yourself personally. These personal social graces, called “soft skills,” describe a range of abilities including active listening, communicating, critical thinking, creativity, empathy, and other pleasing traits of character. Such graces should be cultivated. It is not enough to have professional skills. It is also expected that learners demonstrate a pleasant, if not noble, bearing.

Why Does Learning Etiquette Matter? 

Thus, dear reader, do we arrive at the end of our modest discourse. 

True etiquette is more than politeness. It is the combination of ethics and manners. A gentle person isn’t just being polite, they are demonstrating care for other people. So it is in learning. 

L&D etiquette demonstrates care for your learners — and for those who have created the learning assigned to you.

If you remember that promptness is the soul of hospitality, restraint the guardian of taste, diligence the mark of a worthy guest, moderation the key to retention, and grace the crown of all feedback, you shall find yourself most welcome in the society of learning. 

Carry these lessons with you, and you shall not merely partake of knowledge, but elevate both yourself and those around you. For what is learning, if not the most genteel of banquets, where wisdom is shared, character refined, and progress achieved in the company of others?