Foster your learning agility (1/2): Beware of what is blocking you

In order to navigate the uncertainty of omnipresent disruptive forces, we need to be able to solve very difficult problems. Such are the challenges nowadays that our current knowledge is often insufficient.

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That is the reason why sometimes core expertise suddenly becomes less relevant. We need to do everything we can to increase our capacity to learn as the conditions around us are changing.

It is about being able to learn when we least expect it: not during formal training sessions, but in our day-to-day work. Learning agility is crucial since it helps us not to repeat our past mistakes.

First, let’s see what counterproductive behaviours block our learning, according to the strategy-business.com website. What habits should we kick?

Status quo

Don’t insulate yourself from change. Stay relevant. Don’t focus too much on old ways of thinking and acting. That will only decrease your ability to innovate since it narrows your scope. As often as you can, look for new and better ways of working.

Taking the easy way

Shortcuts may save you some time and energy. But at the same time, you give up the possibility of learning something new or trying something different. Remember that learning by trial and error increases your agility.

Finding excuses

Don’t try to run away from difficult but potentially fruitful situations: these are growth opportunities. Don’t avoid challenges; stop blaming other people and the circumstances around you.

Let’s assume you are sure that certain process improvements, if implemented, could enhance the efficiency of workflow of your team. However, in the past, other ideas of how to improve workflows were rejected by some vociferous critics in the team. So now you have given up even trying to propose your ideas since you have preemptively labelled your colleagues as not being open to any change. You have decided against giving it another try and instead you keep your opinions to yourself. But that is not how it should be.

-jk-

Article source Strategy+Business - a U.S. management magazine
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Foster your learning agility (1/2): Beware of what is blocking you

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