Learning Agility of Leadership During the Pandemic: An Empirical Study of Life-Sciences Learning and Development Professionals

• In Event: Leadership Development for the Professions

Abstract

Learning & Development (L&D) departments within organizations underwent profound changes during the abrupt shift to remote work. This study investigated the responses and learning agility of L&D professionals and their organizational leadership within the life-sciences sector to the work changes due to the pandemic. We adopted a mixed-method approach that included a semi-structured interview and a survey. Data was collected from 86 L&D professionals. Results reveal generally positive organizational and individual responses towards the changes brought about by the pandemic. Results also indicate that a disruptive crisis, like the abrupt shift to remote working, required professionals’ learning agility to both self-initiate their own learning and to support the learning agility of others in the organization.

Authors

• Xinyun Peng, The Pennsylvania State University

• Nicole Wang-Trexler, University of Pennsylvania

• William Magagna, Siemens Healthineers