Learning from the Light: What Auroras Can Teach Us About Learning
Last week, I found myself once again under the mesmerising dance of the aurora. The sky pulsed with ribbons of green and violet, casting an otherworldly glow over the darkened landscape.
Every time I witness this natural marvel, I’m struck not just by the beauty but by the quiet lessons it offers about learning and growth.
Auroras aren’t random. They appear when solar winds collide with Earth’s magnetic field. These forces are invisible to us on the ground but when those hidden interactions align, the sky lights up.
Workplace learning is often just like that. Most of the transformation happens out of sight - in reflection, practice, and connection, until one day it’s visible in a conversation, and how people think, relate and lead.
Last week’s aurora drew my awareness to some important lessons about learning.
Lesson 1: Learning might be closer than you think
For years, I dreamt of seeing the northern lights. I imagined travelling across the world to Iceland or Norway to witness them. But then I discovered the aurora australis, right here in our own part of the world. Just as dazzling. Just as magical.
This was a humbling reminder that sometimes the growth we seek isn’t in a far-off course or a prestigious conference. It’s in the everyday moments such as mentoring a new team member, navigating a tricky conversation and reflecting on feedback. Sometimes, learning is already happening, we just need to notice it.
Lesson 2: Shared learning has no ego
In aurora chasing, there’s no competition. People stand side by side, swapping tips on where the sky might clear, how to adjust your camera settings, or what apps to use for forecasts.
There’s no “expert” on a pedestal. Just humans sharing insights, learning together in real time.
Imagine if more of our workplace learning was like that, less hierarchy, more curiosity and more generosity. A culture where everyone, regardless of role or title, has something valuable to share. This kind of collective learning doesn’t just build skills; it builds trust, invites contribution and makes further learning easier.
Lesson 3: In the dark, bias disappears
Standing outside under the night sky, you can’t see who’s next to you. You don’t know their age, background, job title, or culture.
But when the aurora appears, every person becomes just that; a person, human and soul on a journey. Eyes wide. Mouths open. No labels. Just shared wonder.
It made me think: what if we approached workplace relationships the same way? Without assumptions. Without unconscious bias. Just humans, side by side, navigating complexity and celebrating success together. Learning, after all, happens best when we feel safe, seen, and equal.
Taking it further
Like auroras, learning often starts in the unseen spaces and through small, meaningful interactions and shifts. Here’s how to bring more of that light into your work:
For individuals:
Reflect daily on one thing you have learned, even if it felt small.
Stay open to learning from peers, clients, and those newer than you.
Challenge yourself to notice what’s already available before seeking something new.
For leaders:
Create spaces for shared learning, such as team reflections, supervision, co-mentoring, or learning huddles.
Be mindful of how unconscious bias might shape how you listen, promote, or assign tasks.
Celebrate learning moments as much as performance outcomes.
For the workplace:
Foster a culture of curiosity over competition.
Build structures that support formal and informal learning such as supervision, peer coaching and reflective spaces.
Ensure diversity,inclusion and respect are more than policy statements but embedded into how people connect and learn.
The aurora doesn't ask to be seen. It simply appears when the right conditions are present. How can we create the optimal conditions where learning can shine just as naturally when safety, openness, and shared purpose meet?