We’re pretty sure you’ve heard the quip that learning never stops. What about that there’s a need for ongoing development regardless of your current job or desired career?
Effective and successful leaders (remember, we’re all leaders) adopt the mindset of being committed to continual learning. This better positions them to manage, communicate and lead through change, address problems and issues, make informed and timely decisions, and more strategically influence their team/organization.
Continual and Action Learning
“For an organization to survive, its rate of learning must be at least equal to the rate of change in its external environment.”
–Professor Reg Revans
Professor Reg Revans (1907-2003), was an Olympian, physicist, professor, author, and management consultant who pioneered action learning.
He created a formula: L = P + Q (learning = programmed knowledge + questioning insight)
The scope for action learning is limitless; it could address work load management, technical skills, soft skills, “people” problems, process issues, the handling of difficult situations, or simply being an advocate for enabling and empowering people to learn with, and from, each other.
One of Professor Revans’ beliefs was that the key to improving performance was not exclusive to the thoughts/opinions of ‘experts’, but that practitioners must also have a say. It requires that each team member not only study their own actions, experiences, and behaviors, but also the actions of those they interact with. Action learning frequently includes having a coach who is responsible for promoting and facilitating new learnings, and encourages and helps the team become self-managing.
Once again, we’re circling back to the need for awareness (of self and others); we need to identify and leverage individual and organizational strengths, and we need to address/minimize and develop any gaps that impede progress, profits, products, or services.
Are you committed to action learning? Have strengths and gaps been assessed, and what development needs have you identified for your organization to address prior to year end?
QwikTip & QwikCoach
QwikTips Powered by e-Coach – Planning and Doing Click for Tips
And for those with a QwikCoach license, refresh your existing skills and acquire new skills by visiting the QwikTips library for leadership ideas and techniques.
If you don’t have QwikCoach, it’s an excellent resource for growing your leadership skills remotely that you should consider.
Help turn your leadership knowledge into leadership action!