Valentin Buzea, the CTO and cofounder of Waydev, discusses the importance of fostering a continuous learning culture within tech companies. He highlights how Satya Nadella transformed Microsoft by prioritizing growth and knowledge sharing, encouraging experimentation, and transforming code reviews into mentorship opportunities. Buzea emphasizes the need for leaders to walk the talk and actively participate in learning initiatives to inspire their teams.
In order to track progress and ensure informed growth, leaders need to measure the impact of their continuous learning initiatives. This can be done through tracking cycle time, using the SPACE framework to assess team health and efficiency, and monitoring individual growth through certifications acquired and contributions to the team’s knowledge base. Buzea stresses the importance of pairing data analysis with qualitative feedback sessions to understand the reasons behind shifts in metrics.
Anticipating and addressing obstacles is crucial to sustain success in creating a culture of continuous learning. Leaders should designate protected time for learning, gamify the process to keep motivation high, and focus on targeted skills that align with broader goals. By being strategic about the skills targeted and ensuring they solve real business problems, leaders can maintain momentum in their learning initiatives.
The Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives, provides a platform for leaders to discuss best practices in fostering a continuous learning culture. Buzea’s insights on prioritizing growth, knowledge sharing, experimentation, and mentorship can help tech leaders create an environment where employees feel supported in their professional development and encouraged to continually learn and grow. By tracking progress and addressing obstacles, companies can sustain success in their efforts to nurture a learning-centric culture that drives innovation and accelerates growth.
