Purpose – The purpose of this research is to show that a key aspect of learning and development of
individual employees is that of self-directedness. This paper will consider the role of the leader in
facilitating workforce development in terms of employees’ self-directedness for learning. The research
was designed to investigate the views that “learning leaders” in organizations have towards the
development of self-directedness in employees; and to identify strategies that are feasible in
developing self-directedness in operating organizations.