5 questions to... Sofie Willox
With Sofie Willox
This is the first post of our special blog series: “5 questions to…” where LDA members share their thoughts and experiences. We hope you’ll enjoy!
This month, we asked 5 questions to .
Learn more about Sofie:
Sofie Willox is the owner of So We Grow. She is a keynote speaker, senior L&D expert, video creator, and journalist in the field of learning science. She helps organizations make learning more effective and impactful. By translating evidence-based insights into practical advice, she separates the wheat from the chaff in learning. In 2023, she was shortlisted for the ‘Learning Thought Leader of the Year’ award in the Netherlands.
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofiewillox/
Company: https://www.sowegrow.be
What brought you to the L&D field?
I happened to get into HR and L&D. I got my university degree in economics, but did not become happy working with numbers. After some additional HR-focused courses post-graduation, I started at IKEA as a fresh graduate in an HR department. Working with people was more my thing. At some point, a new software was rolled out globally and... that included training. I was curious and joined the team. I found it a wonderfully interesting world. I never left it.
What project(s) are you currently working on?
I am working on a lot of projects at once. I regularly conduct leadership training at one of the big 4 companies for a very diverse audience from Iceland up to the Emirates. This is very insightful.
Besides this, I also help my clients look more critically at learning processes. This as a consultant, as an instructional designer or via a train-the-trainer.
I also regularly give keynotes on ‘Lies about learning’ (which deals with the myths and basics of learning. Something that many organisations get wrong) and ‘Why you cannot learn when being chased by a tiger’. This one deals with the myths and impact of psychological safety on your ability to learn.
Finally, I write about learning for a Belgian and a Dutch HR magazine.
What is your biggest frustration or challenge in your L&D practice?
Hahaha, that's a good question! There are several. For LDA members, it's an open door kicking, but the myth of learning styles persists stubbornly. I still see this recurring too often. Also, personality analyses via colours or letter combinations.
While facilitating, I get difficult when participants don't know why they are in class or act as a tourist. This is where we as trainers can play a big role; both beforehand and during. But the organisation (managers and L&D) and the participants themselves also play an important role. I can't stand it when we end up in the situation of ‘you ask and we tell’ of ‘let’s tick the box by being present’.
As far as I'm concerned, nobody should be in a training course if they think they're not in their place. In that situation, I explicitly offer an escape route: ‘I don't want anyone to be here not knowing why they would care. Everyone participant should make that choice deliberately’. You know, In the belgian culture of politeness and being reserved, you then see the discomfort on their faces. I am happy when participants have the courage to be honest with themselves and with me.
Learning is a joint responsibility. Everyone has to look critically at the added value while taking an active role.
What advice would you give a new L&D practitioner?
Take a mentor! Aks them all your questions and feedback. Preferably a critical person who looks at evidence-informed applications.
I also recommend you get ‘out there’ regularly. Go to conferences, networking meetings online or in-person. Being in touch with the external world is hugely enriching so you know what concerns, perspectives, practices and solutions are happening elsewhere.
What value does the LDA community bring to your work/practice?
LDA keeps me on my toes and sorts information for me. The research on learning and applications can be immense and overwhelming. Little by little, LDA neatly juxtaposes them. Although the world outside L&D has not always heard of the big names within L&D.... I can say that they are part of our group.
In addition, over the years through LDA, I have got to know other L&D professionals from all over the world who I also learn a lot from. So it's not just the speakers who are inspiring, the members too! Funnily enough, through LDA (an international organisation) I have been able to expand my own Belgian network. That we first had to go international to do so is pretty funny.
Thanks to Sofie for answering our questions! Share your insights in the comments below!