Written by Lucy Woolrich
If You Want to Go Far, Go Together: The Value of Shared Learning
Have you ever picked up a valuable skill, not from a training guide, but from a conversation with a colleague? At Equilibrium, we know that some of our most critical learning happens in everyday moments: during team meetings, working on projects together, even over a brew. Our culture is built on the belief that you don’t grow alone; real development comes from sharing knowledge and experience and supporting each other. Whether you’re new to our team or a seasoned member of the crew, growth at Equilibrium is a collective journey.
While debate continues around the merits of hybrid and remote working, it's worth considering what may be lost by not being physically together. The answer lies in social learning - the informal, often unconscious transfer of knowledge that happens when people spend time side by side.
Research shows that most workplace learning isn’t classroom-led. The 70/20/10 model, widely used by learning and development professionals, suggests that only 10% of what we learn comes from formal training. The rest comes from experience (70%) and from others (20%).
Traditional workplace learning focuses on explicit knowledge: documented processes, training sessions, and step-by-step guides. Some of the most valuable organisational knowledge is tacit: it's the unwritten expertise that lives in people's heads. It's absorbed through observation, conversation, and shared experience - through being together. For example, it’s the paraplanner who, after years of working with different Financial Planners, knows how to personalise client prep to have the most impact.
Formal mentoring has its place, but some of the most impactful mentoring is spontaneous. When we're physically present with our colleagues, we benefit from “peripheral participation”. We are learning by being on the edges of what's happening. For example, it could mean watching and listening to how a colleague handles a challenging client call or hearing what questions they ask of a provider.
For those at the start of their careers, it can be tempting to work remotely and take advantage of flexibility. Choosing not to spend time around colleagues can unintentionally slow development. So much of what shapes confident, capable professionals is learned through observation, conversations, and shared experiences. When we spend time together, we pick up social cues, tips, and real-time feedback that we just don’t get on our own.
For experienced colleagues, being present is about sharing. By answering questions, sharing stories, and modelling best practices, we help others grow faster. For those more experienced team members we ask that they, ‘aim to be the person you needed when you were at the start’.
Social learning is how we grow best. Technology connects, but nothing replaces the richness of being together. When people share expertise and build connections, both individuals and organisations flourish.
If you’re looking for a workplace where growth is a core value and learning is supported by those around you, Equilibrium could be your next great move!
Explore our current opportunities and discover how you can grow with us. Ready to take the next step? Visit our Careers Page or get in touch to start your journey.
