How to Use Self-Directed Learning to Ensure Your Research Insights are Heard and Acted Upon
Summary
In our remote world, we as researchers need new ways to help our stakeholders cut through the noise to engage and digest our insights more meaningfully through thoughtful and intentional self-directed learning techniques. In this short session, we will discuss 4 key self-directed learning techniques to help you increase engagement around your insights during our debriefing sessions with your stakeholders.
Key Insights
-
•
Self-directed learning can empower stakeholders to engage with research insights on their own terms, increasing uptake and action.
-
•
Designing the context of insight sharing intentionally—considering group size, goals, and stakeholder needs—improves clarity and impact.
-
•
Emotional literacy, or checking in on participants’ feelings before sharing insights, helps prime stakeholders for better receptiveness.
-
•
Asynchronous collaboration within live sessions encourages quieter voices to be heard and builds rich discussions around insights.
-
•
Using digital tools that allow commenting directly on research reports democratizes feedback and documents conversations in real time.
-
•
Early engagement of stakeholders in framing research questions fosters buy-in and makes the research more relevant to their concerns.
-
•
Not everyone needs to read or engage with all research content; focusing on the most influential stakeholders optimizes effort and impact.
-
•
Combining synchronous and asynchronous modes in insight sharing sessions can manage Zoom fatigue and diversify participation.
-
•
Explicitly naming stakeholders' questions in research reports increases their sense of being seen and encourages participation.
-
•
Insight sharing should shift from just delivering information to designing a learning experience tailored to stakeholders’ strengths and interests.
Notable Quotes
"Change is the only constant, so designing insight sharing with self-directed learning is critical."
"Caring for people emotionally during insight sessions directly impacts their productivity and willingness to engage."
"Sometimes the loudest voices dominate, but asynchronous collaboration helps give quieter voices a chance to speak."
"I literally ask, how are you feeling right now? It’s about connecting on a human level before diving into data."
"Before sharing insights, I try to prime the room by acknowledging feelings and starting fresh."
"Sharing insights is like creating a learning space where stakeholders can use the information in their own way."
"Sending reports early and inviting comments turns the insight session into more of a discussion than a presentation."
"Everyone wants to see themselves reflected in the research questions and findings."
"Focus your research report on the three most influential stakeholders, not everyone."
"Combining synchronous and asynchronous communication within one session gets us from awareness to action."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Using cognitive dimensions to analyze findings helps clarify which recommendations to make and keeps us in the real problem context."
Zen RenTaking Inspiration from Instructional Design for Research
March 10, 2022
"The video review board still exists seven years later, so producing any video at IRS requires prior approval."
Crystal PhilcoxThe Many Faces of Operations
November 6, 2017
"When you project Apple CarPlay, you are basically sending the device from your phone into the car, detaching from the native OS."
James RamptonThe Basics of Automotive UX & Why Phones Are a Part of That Future
July 25, 2024
"If we deploy AI too quickly without foresight, AI will burn in ways we cannot control."
Jodi ForlizziDesign and AI innovation
June 5, 2024
"We’re going to laugh, learn, listen, and maybe take some sketch notes."
Victor UdoewaTheme One Intro
March 27, 2023
"If a task is labeled urgent it immediately sets my brain off into fight mode and I won’t be able to think about anything else."
Jessica NorrisADHD: A DesignOps Superpower
September 9, 2022
"If you want to invite a friend or colleague, the sponsor sessions are free and awesome to attend."
Bria AlexanderDay 3 Welcome
September 25, 2024
"Authentic leadership can be characterized as genuine, self-aware, and transparent."
Etienne FangThe Power of Care: From Human-Centered Research to Humanity-Centered Leadership
March 10, 2021
"Allocate about 30% of your analysis and design effort to change management for successful adoption."
Meaghan Waters Fotina KoutropoulousLack of Product Thinking will Doom Your Legacy Modernization
June 9, 2021
