Thursday espresso: Is Talent Development a Waste of Time?
Jun 26, 2025 3:37 am
Rise and Shine!
Let's brew our espresso for an insightful shot!
Is Talent Development a Waste of Time? - Lead Change Heart Way Podcast with Cheok Phaik Lian
In the rush to upskill and future-proof our workforce, it’s easy to assume everyone’s on board. But what happens when employees don’t want development? Are they just unmotivated or is something deeper going on?
Watch the full video on our YouTube Channel here
WHY Do Employees Say No to Development
Not all resistance is laziness. Often, it's rooted in valid concerns:
1️⃣ It Feels Irrelevant - Training doesn't always connect with their day-to-day roles or career goals.
2️⃣ There’s No Time - Competing priorities and heavy workloads make learning feel like an extra burden.
3️⃣ Fear of Change - New processes can disrupt routine and spark anxiety, especially after negative past training experiences.
Some employees even feel they’ve reached a career plateau, where further growth feels unnecessary or impossible.
WHAT Are The Risks of Ignoring Development Resistance
It’s easy to overlook the small group of employees who resist learning, but here’s what’s at stake if resistance goes unaddressed:
😔 Decreased Morale - When employees feel forced into training they don’t connect with, it can create resentment and disengagement. Instead of feeling supported, they may perceive development as a box-ticking exercise.
💼 Career Stagnation - Skills that aren’t updated quickly become obsolete in fast-changing industries. Employees who resist development risk falling behind, missing promotions, or becoming less valuable in their roles.
📉 Leadership Gaps - Tomorrow’s leaders need to be adaptable, curious, and emotionally intelligent. If high-potential talent avoids development or current leaders resist growth, they won’t be equipped to lead the next generation.
As Cheok Phaik Lian, Head of Talent Management & Development at MCIS Life warns,
“Future generations are not going to follow leaders who aren’t developing themselves.”
HOW Can You Address Resistance Without Burning People Out?
You don’t need to overhaul your L&D strategy, just rethink it. Start here:
🎯Personalize Development - Instead of one-size-fits-all programs, invite employees to co-create their learning journeys. Let them choose paths that align with their goals and roles. Offer diverse formats like bite-sized e-learning, mentoring, hands-on workshops.
🌱Focus on the Willing - Shift your energy to those eager to learn and lead. Nurture their growth, showcase their progress, and let their stories inspire others. For those who are hesitant, offer optional pathways and space to opt in without pressure or stigma.
💡Support Everyday Application - Learning shouldn’t end when the session does. Create space for employees to apply what they’ve learned in real work scenarios through stretch assignments, peer learning loops, or cross-functional projects.
Not everyone is on the same learning path, and that’s okay. But with the right strategies, you can build a culture where growth feels relevant, human, and worth it.
Catch the full conversation on YouTube! Like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts below!
Let’s reimagine talent development - HEART first.
Feel free to be in touch at customerservice@mq.com.my if you are looking for a session for your company!
That’s the espresso, keep the momentum! ☕😌
Stay caffeinated & curious!
Koo Lily
l Founder of mq Training Coaching Consulting l
Leadership Coach l Change Facilitator l Speaker l
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