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.

5 secrets to keeping employees motivated at work
Electives team
 
Jun 12, 2025

5 secrets to keeping employees motivated at work

Here are 5 ways to help employees stay motivated and engaged at work.
Culture + collaboration
Why continuous learning is key to business agility
Electives team
 
Jun 11, 2025

Why continuous learning is key to business agility

Continuous learning helps organizations stay ready for change. Explore practical ways to build a learning culture that drives agility and stronger business outcomes.
Learning best practices
Supporting employee wellbeing: A key driver of motivation and retention
Electives team
 
Jun 10, 2025

Supporting employee wellbeing: A key driver of motivation and retention

What drives employee wellbeing at work? It’s not the perks. It’s everyday culture, leadership and learning that supports resilience and growth.
Culture + collaboration
AI skills that drive innovation, not just automation
Electives team
 
Jun 5, 2025

AI skills that drive innovation, not just automation

With AI Appreciation Day coming up, it’s time to build AI skills into your programs—so employees use AI to drive innovation and business value, not just automate tasks.
Innovation + productivity
How leaders with strong emotional intelligence drive better business outcomes
Electives team
 
Jun 4, 2025

How leaders with strong emotional intelligence drive better business outcomes

Design leadership programs that build emotional intelligence so leaders can strengthen team performance, trust and resilience.
Leadership + management
Make mid-year reviews a trigger for sharper goals and smarter learning
Electives team
 
Jun 3, 2025

Make mid-year reviews a trigger for sharper goals and smarter learning

How to turn mid-year performance reviews into a trigger for sharper goals and learning so employees stay focused on what drives business results now.
Leadership + management

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