A curricular approach to learning and development brings intentionality, clarity, alignment, and integration to how organizations invest in their people. It reduces costs, increases engagement, and ensures that learning is both effective and efficient. While the benefits are clear, it can be challenging to envision what this looks like in practice. To illustrate, here are three distinct examples of possibilities—a small business, a global corporation, and a nonprofit foundation—each leveraging a curricular approach in unique ways.
Elevate LLC
A family-owned business with 100 employees, Elevate LLC uses their curricular approach to build alignment across all levels of the organization. Their learning goals are self-awareness, teamwork, and social responsibility. Learning pathways are organized by level, with distinct tracks for onboarding, early career development, emerging leaders, and senior leadership.
Elevate Corp.
This global technology company leverages its curricular approach to enhance its equity and inclusion efforts. Their learning goals include identity, communication across differences, and allyship. Pathways include onboarding, new managers, and Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders through asynchronous modules, live online facilitated sessions, and in-person workshops to ensure that learning is consistent and impactful.
Elevate Foundation
A large, endowment-driven foundation that provides $100 million in funding annually to smaller community organizations. Elevate Foundation uses its curricular approach to align learning across functional pathways like finance, community outreach, and leadership development. Their goals focus on leading self, leading others, and sustainable leadership, creating a cohesive, values-driven culture across the organization.
Envisioning Your Organization
How might this approach take shape in your organization? Consider these key questions:
- What 3–5 core learning goals would emerge for your organization?
- Which pathways (career levels, functional areas, or other groupings) would best structure development?
- What strategies could drive engagement and participation in learning?
- What long-term benefits might emerge from a more intentional and integrated approach?
Want to learn how a curricular approach could transform your organization? I’d be happy to share a recording of the webinar I hosted, The Curricular Approach for Learning & Development. Let’s connect to talk about how a curricular approach to your learning and leadership development can grow with intentionality, clarity, alignment, and integration.
