- What is a Learning Management System?
- What is Leadership Coaching?
- The challenge of engagement with Learning Management Systems
- The power of Leadership Coaching
- A personalised approach for a targeted result
- Guidance and support throughout the process
- Accountability for results
- Engagement and experiential learning
- Frequently Asked Questions on Coaching vs. LMS
At hellomonday, we work with individuals and organisations to improve their leadership skills and overall performance. When it comes to learning and development, two common approaches are often considered: learning from a leadership coach or using a learning management system (LMS).
While both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, in this post, we explore the key differences and explain why highly targeted leadership coaching programs are the superior choice.
What is a Learning Management System?
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application designed to manage and deliver online educational content. LMSs are often used in corporate settings to deliver training to employees in a cost-effective and efficient manner. They typically offer a range of features such as tracking progress, assessing skills, and providing certifications upon completion.
What is Leadership Coaching?
Leadership coaching involves working with a coach who provides tailored guidance and support to help individuals improve their leadership skills. Coaching sessions may be conducted one-on-one or in groups, and can cover a wide range of topics, including communication, emotional intelligence, team building, and more.
The challenge of engagement with Learning Management Systems
One of the biggest challenges with LMSs is engagement. Studies have shown that the average completion rate for e-learning courses is around 15%. This means that a significant proportion of learners may not even finish the course, let alone apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in their day-to-day work.
The low engagement with LMSs can be attributed to a variety of factors. Firstly, online learning can be quite isolating, with learners often feeling disconnected from the material and from other learners.
Secondly, the lack of personalised support means that learners may struggle to apply the content to their specific work context. Additionally, without the accountability and guidance of a coach, learners may lack the motivation to complete the course or apply what they have learned.
The power of Leadership Coaching
Unlike an LMS, coaching provides personalised support and guidance to help individuals overcome their specific challenges and achieve their goals. Coaching sessions are tailored to the individual’s needs, allowing for a more focused and targeted approach to learning. The coach provides a safe and supportive environment for participants to explore their strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies to overcome any barriers to their success.
A personalised approach for a targeted result
One of the main benefits of personalised leadership coaching is that it is tailored to the individual’s needs. Coaching sessions can be customised to address the specific challenges and goals of the learner, allowing for a more targeted approach to learning. This targeted approach can lead to faster and more significant improvements in leadership skills, as participants are able to focus on the areas where they need the most support.
Guidance and support throughout the process
Another advantage of coaching is that it provides participants with guidance and support throughout the learning process. The coach can help participants to navigate challenges and obstacles, providing feedback and encouragement along the way. This support can be particularly helpful for individuals who are struggling to apply the content to their work context, as the coach can provide guidance on how to translate theory into practice.
Accountability for results
Coaching is a highly accountable process. The coach holds the individual accountable for taking action and making progress towards their goals. This accountability helps to motivate individuals to stay focused and committed to their development, which can lead to more significant and sustainable improvements in their leadership skills. Additionally, the coach can provide regular check-ins to ensure that participants are staying on track and making progress towards their goals.
Engagement and experiential learning
Coaching is an extremely engaging process. By working with a coach, individuals have the opportunity to build a strong relationship with someone who is invested in their success. The coach provides feedback, encouragement, and support, which can help participants to feel more confident and motivated to achieve their goals.
Frequently Asked Questions on Coaching vs. LMS
Should you choose both a Learning Management System and Learning Experience Platform?
It depends on your organisation’s specific needs and goals. LMSs are typically used to manage and deliver structured online training, while learning experience platforms (LXPs) offer a more informal and social learning experience. If your organisation requires both structured and informal learning, it may be beneficial to use both an LMS and an LXP. However, if your organisation prioritises one approach over the other, it may be more effective to focus your resources on a single platform.
What is one consideration when choosing an LMS?
One important consideration when choosing an LMS is scalability. Your organisation may start with a small number of participants, but as it grows, you will need a platform that can handle a larger number of users and courses. It is important to choose an LMS that can grow with your organisation and adapt to changing needs.
Can an LXP replace a LMS?
While LXPs offer a more flexible and informal learning experience, they are not designed to replace LMSs. LMSs are still essential for managing and delivering structured online training, tracking progress, and providing certifications. However, LXPs can be used alongside LMSs to provide a more comprehensive learning experience.
What are the limitations of an LMS?
One of the main limitations of an LMS is engagement. Individuals may struggle to stay motivated and engaged with the content, leading to low completion rates and poor retention of information. Additionally, LMSs can be inflexible, with participants being required to follow a predetermined course path rather than being able to customise their learning experience.
What are the barriers in LMS?
One common barrier in LMSs is the lack of personalised support. Without personalised guidance and feedback, participants may struggle to apply the content to their specific work context, leading to a lack of motivation and low completion rates. Additionally, the cost of implementing and maintaining an LMS can be a barrier for some organisations, particularly smaller businesses
