Skip navigation

Elevating employee wellbeing by developing a strong learning culture

A recent McKinsey report sheds light on the critical shift from addressing burnout to promoting holistic health within organizations.

A woman who is smiling, sits at a desk in the office where she works. She's on her laptop and there's a man in the background sitting behind her at a desk on a computer.A woman who is smiling, sits at a desk in the office where she works. She's on her laptop and there's a man in the background sitting behind her at a desk on a computer.

Table of contents

Insights from Ellen Raim, Founder of People MatterWe focus more on solving than preventing People problems.

Elevating employee wellbeing by developing a strong learning culture

A recent McKinsey report sheds light on the critical shift from addressing burnout to promoting holistic health within organizations. We’re highlighting the key takeaways below.

Understanding holistic employee health

The landscape of employee wellbeing has expanded beyond traditional health measures. Today, wellbeing encompasses mental, emotional and physical health, underlining the need for a comprehensive approach.

  • Holistic health includes mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
  • Today’s employees demand more health support from their workplaces.
  • The gap between current wellbeing offerings and employee needs is widening.

Cultivating a learning culture

A strong learning culture supports employee engagement and development. High-quality learning experiences can bridge the gap between current practices and the desired state of continuous growth.

  • Traditional learning solutions often fail to meet employee expectations.
  • Companies with intentional learning cultures engage and upskill employees.
  • Live, interactive learning experiences are highly valued by employees.

Addressing the challenge of learning at scale

Implementing live learning programs at scale poses significant challenges for People leaders. Many bandwidth and budget constraints, including logistical challenges, can get in the way. Strategic live learning solutions can simplify the process of building a scaled-up learning culture.

  • Scalability is a primary concern for People teams trying to develop a learning culture.
  • Budget and resource constraints hinder the adoption of scaled, comprehensive programs.
  • Employees seek quality learning experiences that are broad, accessible and impactful.

Additional insights about holistic wellbeing programs:

  • Employee wellbeing directly influences engagement and productivity.
  • A holistic approach to wellbeing can differentiate your company as an employer of choice.
  • Continuous learning supports skill development, employee satisfaction and retention.

Here’s how People leaders can create a strong learning culture:

  • Regularly survey employees to understand their wellbeing and learning preferences.
  • Assess current wellbeing programs to identify gaps in holistic health support.
  • Foster partnerships with providers, like Electives, who work with you to understand your organization's unique needs.
  • Develop a learning strategy that incorporates holistic wellbeing and aligns with employee needs and organizational goals.
  • Leverage technology to facilitate live learning sessions without overwhelming People team resources.
  • Integrate individualized learning options like Electives Membership into your wellbeing strategy.
  • Introduce regular "health and learning" check-ins or updates within the organization.
  • Celebrate and share success stories of employees who benefit from your wellbeing and learning programs.

Learn live. Adapt faster.

Latest resources

Learn more about creating a culture of learning throughout our resources below.

How to replace underused, pre-recorded learning libraries with high-impact learning
Electives team
 
Jul 11, 2025

How to replace underused, pre-recorded learning libraries with high-impact learning

Is your learning library delivering? Discover how live learning can drive engagement and results—without adding complexity to HR or People teams.
Learning best practices
National Management Training Week: 5 ways to make it count
Electives team
 
Jul 10, 2025

National Management Training Week: 5 ways to make it count

National Management Training Week is the perfect time to spotlight and support your managers. Explore 5 practical ways to activate the week without overloading your People team.
Leadership + management
How to use mid-year planning to sharpen your L&D strategy
Electives team
 
Jul 9, 2025

How to use mid-year planning to sharpen your L&D strategy

Mid-year is a great time to refocus your L&D strategy. Explore how to use H1 data, business priorities and behavior change goals to build learning programs that deliver impact.
Learning best practices
7 ways to build professional development programs employees want
Electives team
 
Jul 3, 2025

7 ways to build professional development programs employees want

Professional development should drive growth for employees and the business. Explore practical strategies to design programs that engage, motivate and deliver results.
Learning best practices
How great leaders keep teams engaged and performing at their best
Electives team
 
Jul 2, 2025

How great leaders keep teams engaged and performing at their best

Employee engagement starts with leadership. Explore practical ways leaders can strengthen motivation, trust, and performance through what they do every day.
Leadership + management
Workplace holidays to celebrate in August
Electives team
 
Jul 1, 2025

Workplace holidays to celebrate in August

We’ve curated a list of holidays for August to keep you in the loop on what’s most commonly celebrated. Plus, download our holiday calendar.
Culture + collaboration

View all posts

ENJOYABLE. EASY. EFFECTIVE.

Learning that works.

With live learning + AI simulations, Electives is a learning platform that makes it easy to design, execute and measure effectiveness.

Request a demo

Request a demo

Learn more

Learn more