EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING AWARDS 2025
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Judges’ Comments Successful OD initiatives were clearly anchored in the specific context of the organisation’s strategic priorities, or in response to a critical “burning platform” necessitating urgent and wide-reaching change. These entries tended to tell a coherent story of why the initiative was vital, how it was delivered, and what it achieved. The shortlisted presentations showcased a breadth of approaches, from technology and system-led transformations to people-focused initiatives designed to unite groups in discussion and collaborative activity that sparked lasting behavioural change. A notable trend among these organisations was the drive towards self-sufficiency, with initiatives deliberately structured to be brought in-house over time, maximising reach and embedding robust internal capability. Interestingly, there was limited evidence of Artificial Intelligence being a significant driver in these projects; instead, the emphasis remained firmly on targeted system improvements and human behavioural change as the primary catalysts for transformation. The use of robust data, both quantitative and qualitative, was a key determinant in demonstrating impact and a direct return on investment. The initiatives in the category which demonstrated the most effective transformation programmes were designed with a clear process and a commitment to measuring progress at every stage, not just at the end. The focus was on turning strategy into day-to-day actions, adjusting roles, building new skills, and changing ways of working so teams could quickly spot opportunities, act on them, and adapt when needed.
Organisations that balanced “exploring the new” with “making the most of what already works” tended to achieve stronger results. This meant creating structures and governance that allowed innovation without losing operational discipline. Building a culture of trust and psychologically safe environments where teams felt safe to share ideas, raise challenges, and try new approaches was also evident in the more successful initiatives. There is a growing push to integrate change management into core project delivery, so transformation isn’t treated as an add-on but is built into how initiatives are planned, governed, and measured. Finally, leading organisations are getting sharper at proving impact, combining hard data like ROI with real stories of adoption and success. The winning formula blends structure, adaptability, strong leadership, and a focus on people.
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