Why it matters
Google runs much of its learning through employees teaching each other. Peer teaching builds skills, connects people across teams and recognises expertise — and makes learning everybody’s job, not just HR’s.
How to run it
- Ask: who do people already go to when they're stuck? Invite them to teach.
- Keep it short and practical — 30 minutes of teaching, 15 of questions.
- Make signing up easy: a shared list of topics and dates; no approval chain.
- Share a one-page guide on running a good session.
- Recognise the teacher — a note to their manager, a mention at the next team meeting.
- Record or write up the session so new joiners can find it later.
Watch out for
- Long approval chains before anyone can teach — lower the barrier
- Never thanking the teachers
- Using peers for specialised or sensitive topics that need professionals
