The Performance Edge: Why Organizations Need Learning & Insights to Truly Succeed

Is your culture unlocking the insights for people to thrive?

In today’s fast-paced world, the bar for success keeps rising, while the time available to acquire new skills and knowledge keeps shrinking. To stay ahead, individuals and organizations have to do more than just foster learning—they must cultivate a culture that integrates learning with insight. This combination drives growth and empowers people to unlock their full potential.

Recently, I had a moment with my 7-year old son Jeremiah that reminded me of the power of insight in learning.  As he struggled with second-grade math, I coached him to notice patterns in his problems. Suddenly, something clicked—he had his own "aha!" moment that helped him solve the problems and solve them fast. That’s what insight does: it transforms learning into understanding and action, making it impactful.

I’ve seen similar “aha” moments in the organizations I have worked with throughout my career. Leaders and teams who blend learning with insight are the ones who make real progress, turning knowledge into real results.

The bottom line is this: learning doesn’t happen without insight. Insight is what transforms knowledge into meaningful action—it’s the moment when things click, when we approach a problem from a new angle, or grasp something more deeply. Without it, learning remains surface-level, lacking the deeper understanding needed for true innovation and adaptation. Pairing your learning culture with a priority on cultivating insights is the key to a thriving organization. 

The Science Behind Insight and Learning

Neuroscience research provides us a fascinating window into how insights occur, particularly those “eureka moments” — moments when the brain clicks, making deeper connections between previously unrelated ideas. Dr. Mark Beeman from Northwestern University explains that this shift happens when our brains move from being analytical to more intuitive—often when we're resting or reflecting. That’s why things like feedback, reflection, and different perspectives are so powerful—they set the stage for these connections to form. 

Additionally, learning theorists like Lev Vygotsky reminds us how important social interaction is for learning. He argues  that learning is a social process, and it's through collaboration and conversation that we often have our most meaningful insights. This is why feedback, coaching, and collaboration are crucial components of any culture of learning.

High-Quality Feedback: The Key To Unlocking Insights 

High-quality feedback is essential for driving both insight and learning. It gives individuals a clear understanding of where they stand, what they’re doing well, and where they need to improve. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that leaders who seek and act on feedback are significantly more effective. When feedback is timely, specific, and constructive, it helps individuals align their actions with their goals, making it easier to turn insights into lasting behavior change.

However, not all feedback is equally valuable—waiting until annual performance reviews to offer meaningful feedback wastes the daily opportunities that arise for growth and insight. A better approach is to provide ongoing feedback throughout the year, using multiple mediums and forums. This continuous feedback, focused on key performance areas, creates a more efficient and approachable feedback culture, enabling greater agility and real-time performance improvements. Over time, this gives teams a competitive edge.

When employees feel their growth is prioritized, the impact is significant. In fact, employees are 3.6 times more likely to say they’re motivated to do outstanding work when their manager provides daily feedback, compared to annually. That’s the power of insights. 

Coaching as a Path to Insight 

In my experience, coaching plays a pivotal role in helping individuals gain valuable insights into their behaviors, mindsets, and actions. Research shows that people are more likely to change when they arrive at their own conclusions—this is the foundation of insight-driven coaching. By asking powerful, open-ended questions, coaches guide individuals to reflect on their experiences, challenge assumptions, and discover new ways to approach problems.

Effective coaching also depends on creating a safe, supportive space where individuals can be vulnerable, explore challenges, and embrace growth. When coaching integrates continuous feedback, reflective practices, and clear goal-setting, it accelerates the insight process, leading to lasting behavioral change.

Learning Cultures Need Insight to Thrive 

Across my work with organizations, I’ve seen that the most successful companies are those that blend learning with insight. It’s not enough to gather data or provide training; organizations must use both quantitative and qualitative assessments to understand what’s driving performance at an individual, team and organization level and where growth opportunities lie.

Quantitative assessments, such as employee engagement surveys, skill assessments, and 360-degree feedback, provide objective data on performance and learning outcomes. These metrics allow organizations to track progress over time, measure the impact of learning initiatives, and identify areas for improvement.

However qualitative assessments—such as interviews, focus groups, and reflective discussions—uncover the emotional and psychological aspects of growth. They uncover how individuals feel about their development, the quality of feedback they receive, and whether the culture truly supports their learning journey. Together, they offer a complete view of the learning environment, combining hard data with rich, contextual insights that foster real lasting change. 

Leaders should leverage their HRBPs, talent development teams, and internal or external coaches to gather these insights. By integrating feedback from multiple angles, leaders create a comprehensive understanding of their organization’s learning culture, ensuring growth efforts align with business goals.

Leadership is the Catalyst for Insight 

Leaders are at the heart of creating a culture of learning and insight. They set the tone for the entire organization, and when leaders actively participate in learning, it signals that growth is a priority. According to a McKinsey study, organizations with leaders who engage in learning initiatives are 21% more profitable. Here’s how leaders can foster an  insight-driven learning culture:

1. Facilitate high-quality feedback: Create regular opportunities for teams to give and receive meaningful feedback. Insight is often born from hearing others' perspectives and being open to change.
2. Encourage reflection: Insight doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Leaders should make space for reflection on both successes and failures, turning experiences into learning opportunities.
3. Ask the right questions: Great leaders know that the best insights often come from asking the right questions, not just providing answers. Help your team think deeper by encouraging thoughtful reflection and exploration.
4. Champion diverse perspectives: Leaders should seek out and promote diverse viewpoints within their teams. Different perspectives unlock new ways of thinking, driving both innovation and personal growth.

Is Your Leadership Unlocking Insights? 

The difference between good and great leaders often lies in their ability to unlock insights—both in themselves and their teams. A learning culture driven by insight pushes boundaries, seeks feedback, and applies new understanding in practical, impactful ways.

By implementing the Learning CULTURE Framework, using both qualitative and quantitative assessments, and focusing on high-quality feedback and continuous reflection, you can build a team that’s eager to learn, adapt, and thrive. Insight-driven learning doesn’t just lead to personal growth—it positions your organization for long-term success.

So, here’s my question for you: Is your culture unlocking the insights needed for your people to thrive? On a scale from 1 to 10, how well does your organization foster learning and insight? Let’s continue the conversation and explore how to create a culture where your team thrives through continuous learning and insight.

About Naphtali Bryant

Naphtali Bryant is an expert in learning and leadership who transforms organizational culture and performance with innovative and strategic talent development solutions. As an Executive Coach and Leadership Development consultant with RAC Leadership, he brings over two decades of experience across technology, non-profit, entertainment, military, and transportation sectors. Naphtali has held leadership roles at Warner Bros., Service Titan, Netflix, ZoomInfo, and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. 

With over 200,000 views of his LinkedIn learning courses worldwide, Naphtali has coached and mentored leaders at all levels of organizations, from frontline managers to C-suite executives. His innovative and strategic development solutions equip leaders with the essential tools to shift the trajectory of their teams, ensuring they become highly engaged, high-performing, and accelerate growth.