Why organizational learning matters more than ever

For three years, our Frictions research has explored a fundamental question: how empowered do people feel to influence what matters to them and what is their sense of agency? This year’s findings are sobering. Agency – the sense of being able to act is eroding. Nearly half of Finns (49%) now report negative agency, up significantly from last year. Only 38% feel positive about their sense of agency.

Yet workplaces remain a bright spot. Most employees (60%) say they can act according to their values at work. Values are not just abstract ideals; they are the cornerstone of talent attraction and retention. But here lies the friction: only one in three feel they can make a meaningful impact on causes aligned with those values through their job. That gap represents untapped potential – especially as younger generations increasingly seek purpose beyond the pay cheque.

If there was one takeaway from Nordic Business Forum this year, it was the importance of learning. In NBF Gianpiero Petriglieri captured it perfectly: “Learning is the new loyalty.” In a world of rapid change, learning is not a perk – it is the glue that holds organisations together. It drives motivation, fuels innovation, and builds resilience.

But here’s the challenge: according to our Frictions research half of Finnish employees feel they lack the resources to develop themselves. Even fewer say they feel excited about learning or inspiring others to learn. Also confidence in innovation is declining. For an ageing workforce, this is more than a cultural issue – it is an economic one. Without a strong learning culture, we risk skills gaps, mismatched talent, and an innovation deficit.

At the same time, artificial intelligence is reshaping work. Our research shows that Finnish workplaces associate AI more with anxiety than empowerment. While 44% see no impact, 36% feel negative effects, and only 20% report positive influence. In this context, human-centred leadership becomes critical. Technology alone cannot create resilience; learning does.

Learning is not just about tools and training, it is about creating a culture that nurtures curiosity. These are not technical fixes; they are cultural imperatives. Organisations must create environments where people feel equipped, heard, and connected – because that is what sustains curiosity and adaptability.

NBF speakers like Diana Kander and Sukhinder Singh Cassidy reminded the audience of the shadow of strong cultures and that status quo has a gravitational pull. Thus, strong cultures can become barriers to growth and innovation. Learning and adapting are essential for growth, and strong cultures may lack flexibility, and shifting them is a gradual process. In today’s environment, organisations need cultures that embrace change and celebrate learning as a shared value.

The message from Frictions 2025 and Nordic Business Forum is clear: investing in learning and is no longer optional. It is the currency of resilience, the foundation of agency, and the key to thriving in uncertainty.