Edwin Koh on why meaningful learning is constructed, not consumed

"People do not truly internalise an insight until they have built it, said it out loud, or applied it to something real at work,” he tells us.

Learning, to Edwin Koh (pictured above), is not something that happens by simply receiving information. It takes root when people actively construct meaning from it; through building, speaking, experimenting, and applying ideas to real challenges.

Koh brings more than a decade of experience in organisational development, talent, and learning.

Having worked with leaders across Asia, Europe, and the US, Koh, who is now Head of Learning & Talent Development in the online travel and tourism industry, is passionate about helping individuals and teams build meaningful careers while contributing to business success.

This philosophy has also shaped his perspective on AI adoption. While new tools may create possibilities, he believes genuine change comes when people can see and safely test how AI can make a meaningful difference to their own work.

In this interview, Koh shares with Emily Chong-Gupta why he is a firm believer that growth happens through doing, rather than simply being told what to do.

Q Which L&D principle has most influenced how you help others or yourself learn best?

"Learning sticks when it is constructed, not consumed."

That is the core idea behind LEGO® Series Play® and other constructivist methods I often use in learning & development. People do not truly internalise an insight until they have built it, said it out loud, or applied it to something real at work. It has shaped how I design almost everything now, from workshops to how I coach my own team: less telling, more surfacing.

I remember a session where a senior leader built a model that surprised everyone, and how that model surfaced insights the rest of the room had not seen coming.

"That is the moment I design for now, not the neat model at the end, but the surprise on someone's face when their hands say something their mouth has not yet caught up to."

Similarly, in this AI-driven moment, using AI to create real value on both personal and professional fronts is the key factor in real adoption. In my opinion, people need to actively think about how workflows can be reimagined with AI to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency, or rethink how AI can change the way we carry out business to create innovation breakthroughs.

Q Who has been a mentor or coach to you personally, and what is a timeless lesson they taught you?

I have been fortunate to have a few great mentors, but one timeless lesson that stands out came from a senior leader who told me:

"When you reach a certain level, your ability to unlearn is just as important as your ability to learn."

That completely shifted my mindset.

Interestingly, some of my best coaching has come from reverse mentoring, working closely with younger talents entering the workforce. They taught me unapologetic authenticity. They have also reminded me that leadership and learning are not about conforming to a mould. They are about showing up as yourself, even when that is uncomfortable for the room.

Q What is an unexpected or interesting skill you have picked up that colleagues may not know about?

I am into equity investing, which started years ago when a mentor told me it is one of the best ways to make my money work harder. That turned into something closer to an obsession. To this day, I am still surprised by how much of it is really about psychology rather than numbers and spreadsheets. This has also brought me closer to the global economy and business trends, further sharpening my business acumen at work. It has also taught me more about risk-reading, patience, and decision-making under uncertainty than most leadership courses ever did.

I also write and produce a personal leadership newsletter on LinkedIn (Asian Leadership Lounge) and short-form video reel content (@learngrowthrive.co). It has made me sharper at distilling complex ideas into something someone will actually stop scrolling for.

Q In fewer than 10 words, what is your number one motto for helping people and teams grow?

Growth happens in the doing, not the telling.

Photo / Provided