Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Collaborative Learning: How to Upskill from Within and Turn L&D into Your Competitive Advantage" by Nick Hernandez is a timely and insightful exploration into the transformative power of shared knowledge in the workplace. Hernandez, with a forward by Josh Bersin, delves into the practicalities of leveraging the collective expertise of employees to foster an environment of continuous learning and development.

The book is structured in a way that guides the reader through the journey of understanding and implementing collaborative learning. It begins by laying the foundation of what collaborative learning is and why it's crucial in today's fast-paced business landscape. Hernandez argues that traditional top-down learning models are no longer sufficient and that a more inclusive, cross-functional approach is necessary for sustainable growth.

One of the strengths of this book is its practicality. Hernandez doesn't just preach the benefits of collaborative learning; he provides a blueprint for it. The inclusion of case studies from companies like Mitsubishi Electric, Slack, AlphaSights, and Safran adds a layer of credibility and shows that these concepts have been successfully applied in the real world.

The book also tackles potential obstacles head-on, offering strategies to overcome common challenges in shifting to a collaborative learning model. This is particularly useful for L&D professionals who may face resistance or uncertainty when introducing new learning paradigms.

However, the book is not without its limitations. While it is rich with ideas and strategies, some readers may find the content to be dense at times, requiring a committed and focused read to fully grasp the concepts presented.

In conclusion, "Collaborative Learning" is a valuable resource for any organization looking to upskill from within and create a competitive advantage through a culture of learning. Hernandez's work is a commendable effort to push the boundaries of traditional L&D and pave the way for a more collaborative future.

I was interested in this book because my day job is learning and development. It is clear that what we know (or thought we knew) about how people learn continuously evolves and it is important not to get complacent. The author does acknowledge some of the constraints we are under -- how learning and development departments are structured (and locked in to a "purpose") and resourced as well as the limitations of learning management systems. But the biggest constraint could be mindsets - from those of us in the field as well as from people who don't want to share their knowledge out of fear of losing their job. The introduction of this book is by Josh Bersin, who is a respected authority in this space. The essence of collaborative learning is a training methodology where employees share their knowledge and expertise to each other. Collaborative learning is modeled after how people actually learn - through peer observation and hands-on active participation. What is especially valuable in this book is the many sources at the end of each chapter and how to overcome obstacles and barriers to changing how we learn in organizations. I found this book to have some great ideas to consider.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kogan Page Ltd, for an ARC and I left this honest review voluntarily.