The 3 Skills you Need to Become Chief Learning Officer

The Chief Learning Officer (CLO) is the highest-ranking corporate officer in charge of learning. Qualification expectations include expertise in corporate or personal training, degrees in education, instructional design, business, or similar fields. That’s the traditional Wikipedia definition. 

Rapidly evolving needs require a new set of skills to become CLO.

Here are the three must-have skills:

1. Marketing 

Engagement of learners is at an all-time low. According to Deloitte, 70% of L&D leaders have a hard time getting workers to engage with their training programs; this is a lack of appeal problem, not a learning problem. 

For today’s CLO to drive successful programs, they must make sure their teams act as marketers, continuously selling the need to learn. Treating learners like customers is key to implementing learning offerings that employees love and keep coming back for more. 

To learn more about how to delight your learners as a pro-marketer dive into the Flywheel Marketing Model. You can draw parallels between marketing and learning. The CRM is your LMS/LXP and your Prospects are your Employees. 

2. Data Analytics

56% of the current workforce does not have the skill-set needed to accomplish the business objectives of their organizations.

Reskilling initiatives are essential to tackle this problem, and, of course, CLOs are in charge of successfully spearheading these programs. CLOs are expected to deliver results. Being able to generate quantifiable evidence to demonstrate impact is a must.

Getting started with a data analytics course can set a good foundation. Learning to measure ROI on your learning programs is, of course, the holy grail. One of the most widely ROI evaluation models is the Phillips ROI model. HR leaders who can measure ROI of their L&D initiatives will certainly get the attention of dollar-driven management. 

3. Growth Mindset 

A growth mindset is the belief that you are in control of your ability, and you’re willing to continue learning and improving. Cultivating a growth mindset could be the single most important thing you ever do to help you achieve success as a future CLO.

A leader with a growth mindset sees opportunities for their team, even during times of high stress. They don’t retreat into a corner and they don’t look for anyone to blame. Instead, they make every effort to accelerate their team’s growth to overcome any business challenge. 

“You don't lead people by what you say to them; you lead them by what they see you do. True leaders are self-leaders“ (Israelmore Ayivor). True Chief Learning Officers are self-learners. Just keep learning.

If you have any questions or want to discuss corporate learning in more detail, schedule a free call with us today.