Organisations
Developing People and Organisations Through Self Managed Learning
For more than 40 years, Dr Ian Cunningham and colleagues have been pioneering Self Managed Learning (SML) as a practical, evidence-based approach to personal and organisational development.
Self Managed Learning has been successfully implemented in a wide range of organisations - from Nike, the NHS and Sainsbury’s to the Bank of England, football clubs, and many others. It offers a powerful way for people at every level to take ownership of their development while directly linking learning to organisational strategy and performance.
Our Experience
Over the last few decades, SML programmes have been used across business, public sector and voluntary organisations to:
- Develop confident, reflective leaders
- Build collaborative, learning-focused cultures
- Support organisational change and innovation
- Create genuine personal accountability and motivation
Our programmes have been evaluated and refined through extensive research and partnerships with universities, business schools and major employers. Case studies include work with Ericsson, Sainsbury’s, Cable & Wireless, AXA and British Airways - all demonstrating measurable improvements in leadership capability, teamwork, and business performance.
Why Self Managed Learning Works
Traditional management training often relies on standardised courses that assume everyone learns in the same way.
Self Managed Learning replaces this with a personalised, structured framework that allows individuals to define what, why, and how they need to learn - while connecting that learning directly to organisational needs.
SML balances individual autonomy with collaborative support through three key elements:
1. Strategic Learning Contracts
Each participant identifies their learning goals and creates a Strategic Learning Contract, aligning personal aspirations with organisational priorities. This contract forms the foundation for purposeful, measurable learning.
2. Learning Groups
Small groups of 5–6 participants meet regularly with an experienced Adviser to share progress, challenge thinking, and support each other. These groups become trusted spaces for reflection, collaboration, and accountability.
3. Organisational Integration
SML isn’t an abstract exercise. Every participant’s goals link directly to real business challenges and opportunities - ensuring tangible benefits for both the individual and the organisation.
This combination of structure, autonomy, and relevance makes SML one of the most sustainable and cost-effective development methods available.
What We Offer
SML Alliance provides flexible support to organisations of all sizes, including:
Leadership and Management Development
Structured SML programmes for senior leaders, managers, or teams — building capability, confidence, and clarity of purpose.
Organisational Change and Culture Development
Facilitated SML initiatives that help organisations navigate change, improve collaboration and build a culture of continuous learning.
Workshops and Presentations
Inspirational keynote talks and interactive sessions introducing the principles and proven impact of Self Managed Learning.
Coaching and Mentoring
Individual and group coaching, including support for HR, L&D, and leadership teams seeking to embed more personalised approaches to development.
All programmes are tailored to your context and can run in-person or online.
Results and Impact
Research and evaluation across multiple sectors have shown SML delivers:
- Increased confidence and self-direction in leaders and staff
- Stronger collaboration and cross-functional learning
- Greater agility in responding to change
- Enhanced innovation and problem-solving
- Improved performance and measurable business outcomes
As one Chief Executive put it after a major SML initiative:
“It gave people confidence, a voice, and a shared sense of purpose. Managers stopped waiting to be told what to do - and started working together to make things happen.”
Work With Us
We design each programme in collaboration with you, ensuring that the approach fits your strategy, people, and culture.
Whether you want to develop a leadership cohort, pilot a new approach to learning, or embed SML within your organisation, we’d be happy to explore how we can help.
Get in touch to explore how Self Managed Learning could work in your organisation.