Skyrocketing Employee Engagement with Peer Learning: A Case Study

In the competitive world of startups, employee engagement is often a key differentiator between success and stagnation. At Stuart, one of the fastest-growing startups in France, we’ve discovered a zero-budget strategy that has significantly boosted our employee engagement, and it’s something any company can replicate.

In 2019, I took on the challenge of building the Talent Development department from scratch. The mission was clear: to empower every employee to grow and transform the company culture by fostering engagement. The result was the creation of Stuart Academy, an initiative that was serving approximately 600 employees across five countries.

The Power of Peer Learning

Among the various learning paths designed, one stood out for its exceptional engagement and cost-effectiveness: peer learning. This approach created a collaborative space where colleagues could learn from each other, support mutual growth, and enhance overall effectiveness. It became the cornerstone of our thriving employee engagement.

Here are three ways you can unlock the potential of peer learning in your workplace:

1. Mentoring

• Send a survey among all employees to gather applications from those interested in volunteering as mentors, detailing their areas of expertise, and from potential mentees, outlining their learning objectives.

• Match mentors with mentees and facilitate the mentoring process by providing guidelines and templates.

• Develop a recognition program to acknowledge the contributions of both mentors and mentees.

2. Employee-led Classes

• Encourage employees with skills relevant to the broader team to organise group classes, be it in-person or virtually.

• Build the spaces that encourage dialogue in formats like Lunch & Learns so employees can learn from their peers in a relaxed setting.

• Implement a ‘Skill Spotlight’ series, where each session focuses on a different employee’s unique skill set, promoting a diverse range of learning opportunities.

3. Project Collaboration

• Offer ‘stretch assignments’ for individuals to contribute to projects in other departments, aiding their career development.

• Use detailed agreement templates to set clear expectations and commitments.

• Establish a support system with regular check-ins and feedback sessions.

Implementing these peer learning strategies fostered a culture of mutual growth and significantly boosted employee satisfaction, resulting in increased performance across all departments.

And the best bit about this approach? ANY company can benefit, regardless of size or industry!

P.S: Eager to harness the transformative power of peer learning in your organization? Schedule a discovery call here. Together, let’s foster a culture where every team member is empowered to share, learn, and excel.