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
"Timely engagement helps stakeholders make faster, more informed decisions leading to better business outcomes."
Fisayo Osilaja[Demo] The AI edge: From researcher to strategist
June 4, 2024
"It's not the demographics or names that should drive personas, but what people are really trying to do."
Lija HoganContexts of Use: A Framework for Connection
December 9, 2021
"You can’t just look at who wants research and what they want it for; you have to peel apart organizational processes to see if action is possible."
Dave HoraAdvice for Establishing Research
December 8, 2022
"If I can't make the actual playbook available, I'm very happy to talk about what it consists of and how we did it."
Maria SkaadenPanel Discussion: Methodologies and Work Environments
November 8, 2018
"We’re obligated to treat each other with kindness and respect."
Bria AlexanderOpening Remarks
March 29, 2023
"Any change we make in healthcare can mean the difference between life and death, so timing is everything."
Carol MassaDesigning Health: Integrating Service Design, Technology, and Strategy to Transform Patient and Clinician Experiences
December 3, 2024
"Color tells you where to look. That’s why color in data visualization must be intentional."
Theresa NeilJust Build Me a Dashboard!
April 9, 2019
"If the corporate form collapses, we need to think about how to provide value to our actual communities, virtual or local."
Dave GrayConnection, Community, and the Future of Work
May 28, 2026
"People often change their entire selves just to seem educated or fit in at work."
Jackie Velasquez-RossTalent Acquisition and Our Responsibility
June 16, 2020
