Training Maybe Mandatory but Learning is Optional

 

POINT TO PONDER 

 For those who want to learn or do something, no training or mandates are necessary. For those who do not, no classes or conferences will suffice.

STORY LINE: Three short stories about Real Learners and Doers

1.   Two new female and junior employees seem excited about their jobs, showed tremendous passion for learning and doing something constructive. Sensing their high energy and enthusiasm, their Group Manager agreed (took risk?) to allow them to participate in two important cross-functional projects, both of high importance in the yearly plan. But these two girls were not there just to learn. They contributed exceedingly well and took on a leadership role in their respective teams. They were not there just to participate but to learn on the job and contribute. They made significant contributions without having formal training classes or conferences.

 

2.   Once Upon a time: He (a zealot) was not invited to the seminar for “XYZ” that only an exclusive/elite group of people were fortunate enough to attend. But a year before that seminar, recognizing the need for that kind of subject, he had developed a class on “XYZ” that was being piloted across different groups. A few of those “fortunate” ones from an ancillary group who attended “XYZ” seminar - by that well known speaker and feeling enlightened (temporary dose?) and powered - felt that it was their given right to own such training across the company. When they found out that an “unauthorized” zealot from another group - not officially certified as elite trainer - had already developed a class and was teaching it, they contacted him, his supervisor and even higher channels to stop that zealot from doing any further training. One of the elite members met with the zealot’s supervisor to inform him that the class work by Mr. Zealot was of inferior quality and did not meet instructional design guidelines per the experts. The Zealot’s supervisor made a truce with the "elite” that as soon as his group was ready with their high-end, elite training, he would tell zealot to stop his class.

A few years later, over 1000 people had benefited from the Zealot’s training with great reviews while the rest are still awaiting an “elite” class based on proper instructional design.

3.   Many years ago, while looking for a person to manage our business systems, we interviewed a young man who had just graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in business. Knowing full well that he did not have a degree in Computer Science, as was normally required, we took into account the fact that he was a computer fanatic from the age of eight and displayed tremendous enthusiasm to tackle new challenges. It was a risk, but the interview team felt that it was worth it.

During the first month, he noticed that our small group needed some key applications, but was told that it was impossible to get on the corporate group’s roadmap. So he decided to learn programming himself. Instead of going to a full semester course with a fee of $3,600 that others had done, he bought a book for $32 and got started on the basics. Not only did he learn quickly but within a year he created an entire management system with 45 working applications, a figure that the larger more central group could not even commit to in a three year roadmap. That young man has had his own thriving company for last several years. For more curious, entire story is in the following link.

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2007/07/last-i-heard-we.html

 

REFLECTION 

My memory bank is full of such people who do not wait for training mandates, classes, permission, or performance review guidelines to contribute. They don't just show up to get a mark for "participation." They are the people who are committed to their self development and contribution to their stakeholders. (Making a choice for thriving vs Compliance to check list of survival)

 

Comments

[A Learner]

Well said and great stories.

It associates what Carol Dweck's studies and her book on "Mindset". There are two types of mindset : Fix Mindset and Growth Mindset. Growth Mindset is the Leaners and Doers mindset, those are the mindets of very successful persons in life. The famous names in sports world are Michael Jordon, Muhammad Ali, Wilma Rudoplh etc. these are the peoples with very strong growth mindset...

[sam]

Thanks for sharing your invaluable wisdom weekly to a large group of people. I have realized that learning is an individual choice

[Cynical]

For story 1: wait a few years until those two girls get baptized in Ranking and Rating Comparative Analysis system. Then tell us how they behave. Too much zeal against old establishments does not help when the established have too much at stake in stock options and perks.

[microCEO]

Story number two is very meaningful for me. I recall the following quote about the importance of knowledge rather than status.
“It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.”
― Benjamin Franklin

Mr. Cynical above is entirely too cynical about story #1. We are not (and must not be) solely the product of our environment. More power to the new recruits who can carpe diem.

[Persistent]

I can relate to that . Good things happen when we don't give up. Thanks

[email from a friend (Posted by FR team)]

on mandatory training and optional learning. What a cynical title for your Friday reflection!  This is a great reminder that I, too, get stuck in training/learning, and forget about the hands-on application. It’s liberating to know that we live in a world that allows us to experiment, and it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Thanks!

[Passion For Excellence (From a distant land)]

Interestingly some people don’t see it that way and I remembered us having similar conversations before. Trainings of all form can be provided to each individual, but if one chooses not to click to open up and start learning, no one can force one person to do so. To top that, even if one was forced to sit through training and refuses to intake all those learning, one will still be a human unlearned about anything. So yes, training may be mandatory, but learning is definitely optional.

Thanks for sharing.

[Note from a Learner and Doer (Posted by FR team)]

I have just read 

I hope that you’re referring to me as one of them   let me guess…. another female employees could be...?
Let me know if my guess is correct… haha…