Imagine all your previous learning and accumulated knowledge and skills being wiped out and then consider the words of American writer and futurist Alvin Toffler…
‘The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.’
Toffler’s words recognise the world we find ourselves in where what looks familiar is subtly or even vastly changed, where our existing ‘tools’ and thinking are increasingly ineffective, where we have to learn.
Given packed work schedules focusing on learning, on development of self and others, may feel like something for the future, when we’re less busy, yet can we afford to put it off.
Notwithstanding the need to equip for the rapidly changing context we might also consider that growth is wired into the human condition. In the workplace opportunities to learn and develop are a key factor in how engaged and fulfilled people are in their daily endeavour. For some growth is about rising to a higher level, for others it may be about growing in the role to reach the level of competence that brings an assured confidence to their working day
Fostering a climate of growth, development, learning comes with the territory of being a leader and however busy we are needs to be top of our agenda. Simple shifts can help.
What if, after every interaction, we asked ourselves and others ‘what did I/you learn from that experience?’ What if we actively sought out situations we hadn’t encountered before and did the same for the people we lead? What if we got way more curious about the world beyond our ‘swim lane?’
Much of this is about a shift in mind-set. In making it we will, over time, become more agile and adaptable, more creative in our approach to challenges, more adept in change, and better equipped for the world we inhabit.