"I'm sorry Randy, but we’re not into training right now."
I was floored, appalled even by the presuppositions of some corporate "leaders" we have today.
"I know that already" or "Been there, done that" is their common response. They have this chip on their shoulders the size of boulders. But rather than be offended I actually pity them sometimes. They actually don't know what they're missing. And believe me, they're missing a lot.
I tend to blame our current system of education sometimes for this predicament. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against teachers and the teaching vocation per se. Being a coach and trainer I am as much a teacher in that regard. Besides, teachers same as firefighters and policemen are such noble professions that I hope we could promote more.
The art of mentoring has given way to instruction. Do this and that without question. Our state of teaching has become predominantly left brain centric that it has lost touch with the "why's" and more of the "what's".
Kids nowadays don't know why they had to study Logarithms, Musical beats and the lifecycle of frogs. They're bored and resistant. That's why they would try to avoid the word studying as much as they can as if traumatized by the entire 14+ years of educational incarceration.
Pop quiz hotshot: What's the prevailing factor in the success of most businesses today?
Information.
It is the currency that fuels Social Media, the World Wild Web and the stability of the stock market. It is being informed that keeps most businesses from being outrun in a growingly competitive environment. It is the MBA graduate who keeps the senior employees always looking in the rear view mirror and the tech geeks lording over a fiercely expanding industry.
Our ability to learn and be updated has been so convenient and immediate that you can check your stock portfolio in the middle of the street. You can research your Biology homework with a press of a button or find and talk to long lost friends anywhere in the world.
The concept however of "outsourcing" information from consultant companies seem to be unnatural for some of us. I can only surmise that this stems from a certain level of personal insecurity. Honestly I couldn't blame them. Not too many would want to admit that there are things that they don't know or understand. It would simply be construed as a sign of weakness.
No worries Macho Man, but how about everybody else in your team?
Warren Bennis in his book "On Becoming A Leader" said:
"Adults learn best when they take charge of their own learning. Taking charge of your learning is a part of taking charge of your life"
Most people believe that learning stops midlife, and that the rest of a person's life is spent then on teaching and nagging our kids and grandkids with stories of old. Well these people should say that to Picasso, Churchill and Sigmund Freud.
Learning never stops, unless that is you've been living under a rock. Henry Ford said a person who stops learning is old. So if you are desperately looking for an anti aging supplement, try a book or two once a month for life. Increase dosage every month thereafter.
The most learned people would be the first to tell you that they never stop looking for ways to inspire, instruct and increase their lives so that they can inspire, instruct and increase the lives of others. Imagine this, if the average person reads around 220 words per minute and reads a book for 20 minutes a day everyday, that person would have read twenty 200 page books in one year!
So what you say? I heard this story one time from Author and Cultural activist Alex "Pinoy" Lacson during his days in UP. A classmate of his bragged he will one day be the Editor In Chief of , UP's official paper. This man had a vision, and was totally committed to it that for one hour per day everyday he would read a book. He did this habit for all of his collegiate days until he eventually landed the editorial gig in his senior year!
And the stories such as these abound. The saying is true. Anyone who can read but doesn't is just as good (or bad) as anyone who can't.
Where do you stand? How much do you know about the intricacies of your job, your industry and your business? Do you consider trainings, seminars and workshops as an unnecessary blot in the expense ledger? Or are you secure enough to say you need and want to learn, feel and experience more?
If you are a parent, manager or someone whom people look up to, do yourself a huge favor and pick up a book, or plug in a motivational cd. You not only improve that gray matter in between your ears but also create a good example for everyone else to follow. The best amongst us were NEVER content of what they already know and were always looking into continuously improving themselves.
As many others I have found 3 steps in the learning process and they are:
1.) UNLEARN - What you thought you knew yesterday is probably all wrong today. Customer demands, technology and business processes evolve in a blink of an eye that it is true that to miss a beat is to miss the boat. Be ready to let go of what you thought was right and all it's prejudices and start looking outwards.
2.) LEARN - The process of acquiring USEFUL information. Finding the necessary resources that will help you improve in your field. But learning isn't just gobbling it all up, but rather a process of synergizing and synthesizing. Pick up what is useful and relevant then weed out those that don't sit well with your perspective.
3.) RE-LEARN - Self education literally becomes a habit, and a good one at that. Be tenacious and hungry for improvement. The little increments of improvement done daily creates the world class performer. They say talent is never enough and it's true, unless you pair it with a drive to relearn.
This goes back to the proverbial getting out of your comfort zone and adapting to the changes in the industry. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, I say it depends on the trick and the dog. 20 years or so from now I would probably dread learning what would be the "in" thing in technology and communications but will give in nonetheless. Right now we are probably wondering what else could replace Facebook or Twitter? Heck nobody ever thought anything could beat Friendster and Myspace!
Ever thought if your style of management is the same in other parts of the world or do you still believe the garbage bag Leave Alone Zap You style is the best approach? Red or Blue Ocean
Don't know where to start? Try looking into material related to your biggest passions whether it be cooking, personal development, self help or business. Subsribe to blogs like these and useful articles on the web. Click that "Like" button on sites of inspirational people and organizations. Or better yet, pick up the best selling book of all time even without pictures; the Bible, and feed not only your mind but also your soul.
0 comments:
Post a Comment