It is true organizations are run by chief executive officers, but lately chief learning officers have proved to be growth driver of organization.  A few decades back, the role of chief learning officer didn’t exist. Organizations relied on CEOs to steer growth and manage learning& development programs. Well, not anymore. Today every growth-oriented and employee-centric organization has a Chief Learning Officer.

What do Chief Learning Officers do?

Today simply giving training to employees is not enough. Chief learning officers are the strength of HILO organizations (High impact learning organizations). These organizations focus on skill-based training that aligns with business model of the organization. Chief learning officers understand the learning demands for the organization and implement employment learning programs that meets the business requirements of the organization.

What skills does a chief learning officer need?

The role of a Chief learning officer includes ample of things. From collaborating with CEO to managing learning and development programs and delivering to the demand of skilled employees, a chief learning handles a multitude of responsibilities. In order to deliver on these responsibilities, they need to have a good set of skills.  Let’s look at some of the skills that chief learning officers are required to have --

1.   Good leadership skills

Chief learning officers are required to handle teams and delegate tasks so that learning and development programs are executed smoothly. Unless one has leadership skills, leading a team that can get work done will be tough.
 
  2.   Communication and building relationship

Learning and development programs require third-party resources. To collaborate with third-party, it is important to build a repo with them. Learning & development programs are mostly delivered with the help of third-parties, hence it is very important for them to be good at communication and building relationship.

3.    Agility

Growth-oriented companies move fast. So CLOs are required to think on their feet to bring change in environment and working culture. They are required to act swiftly to meet the demand for innovation and other learning changes required in the organization. CLOs are tactical thinkers willing to push company’s learning & development programs to the best level.  

4.    Talent assessment

CLOs are required to work with human resources to assess the demand for talent. A CLO knows that each employee has a different skill set. They should be able to understand the strength and weakness of each employee, to further facilitate their training and progress.

Overall, a chief learning officer, dons multiple hats and does strategic work to move organization’s learning & development programs. It is one of the crucial roles at industry’s leading organizations, working their way towards making their workforce better and get the best out of employees. Earlier, very few companies had CLOs, steadily every organization is now onboarding one looking at the benefits they can provide and empower their workforce.