Thoughts from the Learning Network Connect Conference

Since attending the Learning Network Connect conference on Friday, I’ve been full of optimism. In a world increasingly dominated by tech and AI, there’s a real need for human connection, even in training design. Themes that came up time and time again in various forms, was creativity and community.

Not the big, daring “innovation” kind — I mean the everyday creativity we rely on as learning designers. The type that helps us solve problems, try new things, and slowly get better at what we do.

Just this week, there was a perfect example of that. I was writing a session, and I had a challenge. A space to fill with an activity that needed to achieve so many things. I had some ideas, but it even though it wasn’t right, I shared it in our VIP WhatsApp group. Half a dozen suggestions came back to me quickly. In the mean time an email from the client about a different matter brought something else to front of mind.

I didn’t use ANY of these suggestion exactly as they were, but they all sparked a thought and took me closer to a solution which I’m happy with.

And that’s how creativity in our world often appears: A tiny spark someone else triggers from a question, comment, or even a different challenge altogether. It’s amazing how often someone else’s perspective quietly opens a door in your own thinking.

So I’ve been through my notes to compile a list of learning points about creativity and community that you might find useful.

We need other people to get creative.

I’ve realised it’s harder to be creative in isolation. When we talk things through with someone else, ideas suddenly take on a new direction, opening up a whole new range of possibilities.

Learning design is full of those moments where one person spots something you’d completely missed. It’s such a simple reminder that our creativity is often a shared effort, even though we have all experienced those ‘Eureka’ moments when on a walk or in the shower. Working with others increases the likelihood of getting unstuck.

Sharing half-formed ideas feels risky, so we need to feel safe.

Sharing a new idea when it’s still wobbly takes bravery, so often we choose not to, or at least hesitate. You don’t know how it’ll land, or whether it even makes sense yet.

That’s why psychological safety matters so much. When you’re in a space where you don’t have to worry about looking silly, your ideas come out more freely. I see this every week in our Drop-ins… someone says, “This might not be what you’re looking for, but…” and before you know it, we’re all building on it together.

Safety helps us stretch ourselves.

When people feel supported, they take more creative risks.
They try new things.
They step outside their comfort zone.

And that’s where real growth happens — not just professionally, but personally too. Sometimes all it takes is someone saying, “Go on, give it a try. We’re here.”

Creativity can’t thrive when we’re overwhelmed.

I’ve noticed that when I’m stressed or juggling too many plates, my creativity just shuts down. My brain starts doing that “37 browser tabs open” thing, and I can’t get any meaningful ideas out, and I see it in our VIP members too. When their diary has space, their heads do too. But when they are a full capacity, there’s no room for creative thought.

A good community acts like the overflow. Someone else does have capacity, and their ideas help you find your own. Their support reminds you that you CAN do it, you just can’t do it at this moment, and that’s OK.

It’s one of the quiet benefits of having people around you who get what you do.

You don’t need to be ‘good’ at creativity.

This is something I picked up from the conference — creativity isn’t about talent. You don’t need to be artistic, clever, or original-on-demand.

For me, creativity is simply being able to look at one thing and see another. It’s simply about moving things forward, or even around. That’s WAY easier when you’ve got different people around you offering different perspectives. We each bring our own experiences, knowledge, and weird little ways of thinking. That mix is invaluable.

Communities help us experiment, and learn from each other’s mistakes.

Trying new things on your own can feel uncomfortable, and you’re far more likely to give up more quickly if you don’t get success right away. How do you even know what success looks like?

Trying ‘thought experiments’ with a supportive group feels like fun. There’s no pressure and everyone has the opportunity to contribute and learn. Even better when someone has actually tried out your idea and can share real insights.

‘Right first time’ doesn’t really matter.

Some of the most successful people we admire didn’t get it right the first time — or even the fifth. Yet we expect ourselves to nail it on the first attempt.

Communities help take that pressure off. They remind us that progress beats perfection every single time.

If Thomas Edison, James Dyson, and the Beatles didn’t get it right first time, why on earth do we expect ourselves to

In an age of AI, our human creativity matters more than ever.

This is something I covered in my session on Human Intelligence at the conference, but was echoed by many others too.

AI is brilliant at generating options quickly, but humans are still the ones who make connections that shouldn’t logically fit together. That’s where the truly interesting ideas come from. That kind of divergent thinking is something we need to protect and practice.

Community plays a huge role in that.
It keeps us questioning, imagining, challenging, and building on each other’s thoughts — all the things AI can support, but never replace.

And honestly, this is one of the reasons I hold community so close to my heart, and why I believe being in one is essential. Tools can speed us up, but people help us think.

So where does all this leave us?

For me, learning design isn’t just about skills or tools — it’s about the people around us who help ideas grow.

Creativity needs safety, variety, and conversation. It needs space. It needs curiosity. It needs vulnerability.

In short, it needs community.

If you want more of that in your learning design work, you’re always welcome in our VIP community. Be part of the Drop-ins, the WhatsApp group, and the conversations that help all of us design better, together.