In this episode, the series finale, we hear from some of our thought leader contributors about the keys to the future of organizational learning in development. Today’s contributors are: - Gwen Hines, until recently the Director for International Relations, DFID - Kerry Albright, Chief of Research Facilitation & KM, UNICEF - Thom Sinclair, of CGAP, funded by the MasterCard Foundation and housed at the World Bank - Tony Pryor, Senior Advisor, USAID/PPL Listen as we discuss promising...

Episode 6 of Leaders in Learning focuses on how organizations are integrating intentional learning into their day-to-day work. The three leaders contributing to this episode are: - Karen Mokate, Chief of Knowledge Management at the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) - Clive Martlew, Lead for Leadership and Learning at the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) - Alison Evans, Chief Commissioner for the UK’s Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) The three themes that...

The focus of the fifth episode in the Leaders in Learning series is one of the most challenging questions that we routinely face: What is the role of formal and informal leadership in creating a learning organization? This episode builds on previous episodes in connecting components of leadership and effective learning organizations, a key connection that we see consistently. The contributing thought leaders for this episode are: - Thom Sinclair, Gateway Academy Team Lead at the Consultative...

The focus of this episode, our fourth in our Leaders in Learning series, focuses in on something we’ve touched on in previous episodes, particularly episode 2: what aspects of an organization’s culture contribute to its learning capacity? The contributing thought leaders for this episode are: - Chris Collison, a world-renowned independent consultant - Clive Martlew, Lead for Leadership and Learning at the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) - Rob Cartridge, Head of Global...

The focus of Leaders in Learning episode 3 is on one of the most challenging questions that we as leaders in organizational learning face on a regular basis, namely, "what is the role of evidence and data in organizational learning efforts?" The contributing thought leaders for this episode are: - Alison Evans, Chief Commissioner for the UK’s Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) - Kerry Albright, Chief of Research Facilitation and Knowledge Management at UNICEF - Duncan Green, Senior...

Leaders in Learning is a 7-part podcast series hosted by Stacey Young, Senior Learning Advisor and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Team Lead in USAID’s Bureau for Policy, Planning, and Learning; and Piers Bocock, Chief of Party for the USAID LEARN contract. The series draws on interviews that Stacey and Piers conducted with a variety of thought leaders in organizational learning and knowledge management in the international development sector. In episode two, Piers and Stacey reflect...

Leaders in Learning is a 7-part podcast series hosted by Stacey Young, Senior Learning Advisor and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Team Lead in USAID’s Bureau for Policy, Planning, and Learning; and Piers Bocock, Chief of Party for the USAID LEARN contract. The series draws on interviews that Stacey and Piers conducted with a variety of thought leaders in organizational learning and knowledge management in the international development sector. The first episode provides an overview of...

In the fifth and final episode in the Inside Out series, we discuss a topic that we’ve touched on throughout the series: Pause and Reflect. Taking the time to Pause and Reflect is an essential CLA practice that leads to evidence-based decision making and adaptation. First, we’ll explore evidence that group reflection leads to learning and decision-making. Next, we will discuss two opportunities for USAID staff and partners to use Program Cycle processes to pause and reflect. In our third...

Evidence-based decision-making is a powerful tool for transforming USAID from the Inside Out. In this episode, we’ll talk about where we see this happening in other industries, and why it can be challenging at USAID. We will also discuss two examples of innovative learning initiatives at USAID missions.

In this episode, we discuss look at evidence from the business sector on the negative effects of over-collaboration. Next, we reflect on the way our teams collaborate and then talk about six strategies for strategic collaboration and what they look like at USAID.

In this episode, we’ll discuss the key ingredients in a learning culture. First, we define what we mean by a learning culture. Next, we look at research that examines the relationship between CLA and measures of staff satisfaction and empowerment at USAID. And in our third segment, we talk about a successful staff empowerment initiative at a USAID mission.

If change starts with people, then what should we consider when building collaborative, learning-focused teams? When development isn’t a linear process and success depends on much more than a set of technical skills, what kinds of skills and qualities should you look for when hiring? In this episode, you’ll hear from three development practitioners with insight on this question. (And if you’re wondering how to build a learning culture on your existing team, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to...

USAID Learning Lab is back with a new podcast series called From the Inside Out: Achieving Better Development Outcomes through Collaborating, Learning and Adapting. Our four-episode pilot series, Collaborating, Learning and Adapting at USAID, provided an overview of the concept of CLA and featured deep-dive CLA case studies. This new series was designed to empower USAID staff and partners with evidence, tips and tools to collaborate, learn, and adapt in their day-to-day work. Listen as...

This is the final episode in our series on how USAID is collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) with a look at the “A” in CLA: adapting. International development work is often criticized for not being locally led or context aware. By encouraging a CLA approach, USAID is creating space for staff and partners to adapt their strategies and projects in response to their operating environment and stakeholder feedback. Listen as we explore three USAID projects that have adapted and scaled...

In fall 2016, USAID updated its operational policy to reflect its commitment to organizational learning. So how is USAID learning? And why does learning matter? Episode 3 of the USAID Learning Lab podcast zeroes in on the “L” in collaborating, learning and adapting at the project and organizational levels. First, we look at learning at the project level. Listen as Nathan Morrow, an associate research professor at Tulane University and finalist in the 2016 CLA Case Competition, explains how a...

We get a lot of requests for examples of what collaborating, learning and adapting looks like in practice. So in this episode, we’re zeroing in on the C in CLA, collaboration, with three case studies. In our first story, an ambitious Program Manager applies the principles of human centered design to workshop facilitation. Next, I’ll speak with someone who is using digital storytelling to build bridges between women in South Africa. And third, Bari Rabin shares about facilitating a...

This is the pilot episode of the USAID Learning Lab podcast: How USAID is Hacking International Development from the Inside Out. Collaborating, learning, and adapting, or CLA, is an approach that recognizes the complexities of international development and empowers practitioners to use continuous learning and adaptation to strengthen their strategies and programs. Hear from four development practitioners responsible for shaping and evaluating the impact of CLA.