Foundational Texts and Research

You know, when I first dipped my toes into the vast ocean of learning and development (L+D), it felt overwhelming.

There’s always a new method or a shiny tool catching our attention.

But as I waded deeper, one truth became clear: To truly understand and master L+D, you’ve got to dig into its roots.

And that’s where foundational texts and research come in.

Why are these texts so crucial?

Let’s break it down:

• Timeless Wisdom: Think about your favorite comfort food. It’s probably been around for generations, right? In the same way, foundational texts are the comfort food of L+D. They’ve been tried, tested, and they stand the test of time.
• Understanding the ‘Why’: Ever wondered why certain training methods click while others fall flat? Those foundational texts? Yeah, they’ve got the answers.
• Grounding Our Practice: It’s easy to get swayed by every new trend. But when you’re grounded in core principles, you can sift through the noise with confidence.

Now, I won’t pretend that diving into foundational research is like binge-watching your favorite series.

But I can promise you this: It’s worth it. By understanding where we’ve come from, we gain clarity on where we should be heading.

So, how do you navigate these cornerstone resources without feeling lost? Well, that’s where this resource page steps in.

I’ve been where you are, and I’ve sifted through piles of research to cherry-pick the best for you.

And the best part?

I’ve broken it down to make it digestible and actionable.

Leadership

• “On Becoming a Leader” by Warren Bennis: An insightful exploration of the traits of true leaders.
• “The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization” by Peter Senge: Introduces the concept of a learning organization and systems thinking.
• “Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t” by Simon Sinek: An examination of leadership dynamics, trust, and organizational success.
• “The Leadership Challenge” by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner: A comprehensive leadership framework based on extensive research.

Organizational Behavior

• “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink: A fresh look at what truly motivates individuals in the workplace.
• “Organizational Culture and Leadership” by Edgar H. Schein: A deep dive into how culture shapes behavior within organizations.
• “Influencer: The Power to Change Anything” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler: Explores how influencers can effect organizational change.
• “The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization” by Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith: Focuses on how high-performance teams function and the myths that surround them.

Adult Learning

• “The Adult Learner: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development” by Malcolm S. Knowles, Elwood F. Holton III, and Richard A. Swanson: Often considered the foundational book on adult learning principles.
• “Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development” by David A. Kolb: Introduces the experiential learning theory.
• “How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens” by Benedict Carey: Challenges traditional notions of the best ways to study and learn.

Groundbreaking Studies and Research Articles

• Herzberg, F. (1968). “One More Time: How Do You Motivate Employees?” Harvard Business Review. – Discusses the two-factor theory of motivation.
• Tuckman, B.W. (1965). “Developmental sequence in small groups.” Psychological Bulletin. – Presents the forming-storming-norming-performing model of group development.
• Kolb, D. A. (1984). “Experiential Learning: Experience as The Source of Learning and Development”. – The original exposition of the experiential learning cycle and its connection to the learning styles.
• Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1978). “Organizational learning: A theory of action perspective.” – Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a direct link to this work.
• Bandura, A. (1977). “Self-efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change.” Psychological Review. – Introduces the concept of self-efficacy and its role in motivation and learning.