What’s coming next? 

2024 has been a whirlwind. Some predictions I made hit the mark; others didn’t play out as expected. 

Coaching skills? Demand skyrocketed. Bite-sized learning? Still flying high.

But let’s not sugar coat it – progress on inclusion tanked. Instead of embedding it meaningfully, many have lost focus on this important area, making the work done in 2023 seem like a tick-box exercise.

And managing remote teams? Less of a priority. Why? The hybrid split has swung back towards staff being in the office. Personally I think this is a real shame for the work-life balance and I’m not convinced working from home doesn’t work. I believe managers just don’t know how to manage remotely. It’s much easier to micro-manage people when they’re sitting next to you! Much more effort to set clear goals; train, coach and empower people; and hold them accountable with professional 1-to-1 conversations!

But looking forward, what’s on the horizon for 2025? Here are my top predictions:

1. Face-to-face is back.

We’ve seen a massive upswing in in-person sessions, especially in the second half of 2024. Partly due to the hybrid balance change mentioned above, but also… people crave connection. Teams want shared energy. Numbers don’t lie – our face to face sessions increased by 68% this year, compared to 2023. This trend isn’t slowing down.

2. Team effectiveness over individual focus.

It’s not just about “how can I improve?” anymore. It’s “how can we work better together?” Communication, collaboration, conflict resolution – these will dominate training room agendas. The days of lone wolf development are over.

3. Bite-sized learning remains king.

Quick, digestible chunks of content still reign supreme. Particularly in digital self-led settings. It’s efficient, engaging, and sticks better. If you’re not using bite-sized strategies to embed learning, you’re already behind! (and hint: BentoBot, our multi award nominated learning app, could be the solution).

4. Respectful workplaces will take centre stage.

Here’s the tough truth: DEI is slipping down the priority list. The word “woke” has scared people off. That’s dangerous. But all is not lost. Respectful workplaces are still in demand, with a focus on psychological safety and tackling real issues like sexual harassment.

5. AI everywhere.

AI isn’t the future – it’s now. The challenge is figuring out how to use it effectively. Smarter training. Hyper-personalised experiences. Automation that saves time but doesn’t lose the human touch. It’s not about using AI for the sake of it; it’s about making learning stickier and more productive.

Final thoughts.

2025 will be a big year for L&D. Face-to-face is roaring back. Teams will get the spotlight. AI will power up training. And while inclusion may have faltered, there’s hope in fostering respectful workplaces.

The key takeaway? Don’t fall into trends for the sake of it. Focus on what will truly make a difference – for your people, your culture, and your bottom line.

Let’s make it a year to remember. Ready to unbox your team’s potential? Get in touch: tony@peopleunboxed.co.uk or via LinkedIn.