emotional resonance
over completion rates.

In today’s data-driven world, completion rates are often touted as the golden metric of success, especially in the world of digital learning. They’re easy to track, easy to present, and make for clean reports. But they don’t tell the full story. Because if a learner finishes a course but walks away unchanged, uninspired, unchallenged and unmoved, what have we really achieved?

What really matters is emotional resonance: the lasting impression a learning experience leaves on a person’s heart and mind. It’s the spark that drives real reflection, lasting understanding, and ultimately behaviour change.

‘did they finish?’ vs ‘will they act differently tomorrow?’

Completion rates measure how many people finished a course. At first glance, they appear to be a straightforward indicator of engagement. But these numbers only tell part of the story. Someone might complete a module out of obligation or curiosity but forget everything by the end of the day. In these situations, high completion rates don’t translate into meaningful behaviour change or attitude shifts.

The ultimate goal of any learning or engagement experience should be transformation. Instead of asking, “Did they finish the course?” we should be asking, “Will they act differently tomorrow because of it?”

the “aha” moment

Emotional resonance refers to the deep, lasting emotional connection that content creates with its audience. It’s the “aha” moment that sticks, prompting reflection, motivation, or a shift in perspective.

In a recent Diversity, Equity & Inclusion project, Mindboost intentionally built in these moments with unexpected, thought-provoking facts that disrupted assumptions. These weren’t just knowledge drops; they were designed encourage self-reflection and deep connection with the subject matter, focussing on feeling rather than facts.

Measuring emotional resonance can be a bit tricky since it’s inherently qualitative and subjective, but there are several effective ways to capture it. Here are three of them:

1. Surveys and interviews

Asking people to describe their feelings, thoughts, and reflections after an experience can provide rich insights into emotional resonance. Questions like:

• “How did this experience make you feel?”
• “What part of the content stuck with you the most?”
• “Can you share an example of how this has affected your thinking or behaviour?”

Learner responses could reveal the depth of emotional connection and personal impact.

2. Focus groups and discussions

Facilitated group conversations allow learners to express and reflect on their emotions in a social context. Hearing how people relate to the content and each other can surface shared emotional themes and highlight the resonance of the learning content.

3. Behavioural indicators

While emotional resonance is internal, it often manifests in behaviour. Tracking whether people apply what they’ve learned, change habits, or take new actions can indicate emotional impact. Follow-up surveys asking about changes in behaviour or attitudes are useful here.

designing for impact

To truly cultivate emotional resonance, learning providers must go beyond delivering content efficiently. Instead, we should craft experiences that engage the senses, foster empathy, and prompt meaningful reflection.

For example, in a recent hospitality training project, Mindboost worked with a client trying to reduce allergen-related incidents. Instead of relying on checklists and policy slides, we told a story.

We created a video following a day in the life of a guest with a food allergy, right up to the moment they ordered a meal. It wasn’t just informative. It was personal. It showed that for the guest, this wasn’t just lunch. It was shaped by personal struggles, hopes, and the desire to feel safe and understood. How the server responds to an allergy isn’t just a procedural step, it can profoundly affect someone’s wellbeing.

balancing data & human insight

While emotional resonance is qualitative, it doesn’t mean we have to abandon data altogether. Combining quantitative data (like completion rates and quiz scores) with qualitative insights (like testimonials and group discussions) provides a fuller picture of success. Data can identify patterns, while human insight explains the “why” behind those numbers.

learning that lasts

So, in the pursuit to measure success, does emotional resonance hold more significance than completion rates? We think so. True learning and engagement come from creating meaningful connections that inspire change. We’re talking about the moments that stay with people long after the content ends. By valuing emotional impact over raw numbers, and by blending data with human stories, we create opportunities for experiences that truly transform.

Mindboost engage people with emotionally intelligent content that resonates and drives action. We craft compelling learning experiences that people want to complete and creates a lasting memory. We call it “learning with feeling”.