Informal Learning, Chapter 7: Learners

Chapter 7 of

Informal Learning: Rediscovering the Natural Pathways that Inspire Innovation and Performance

, by JayCross

Learners

There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth, yet until we have feltits force, it is not ours. To the cognition of the brain must be added the experience of the soul.

Arnold Bennett

You cannot mandate productivity; you must provide the tools to let people become their best.

Steve Jobs

If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?

The Talmud

Empowering workers only produces results when workers have the willand the ability to use the power they are granted. Taking responsibility for one’s learning and one’s work requires passion and skill. These reside inthe worker, not the organization.What’s coming next is controversial. Learning is one component in abusiness ecosystem. If something improves the overall value of theecosystem and/or the welfare of the individual worker, I’m in favor of it.(Assuming it’s legal.) This includes helping the worker build personalstrengths and overcome personal obstacles.My critics take a more narrow view. They don’t think it appropriate tointerfere in the worker’s personal life. You can deal with dress codes, zanybehavior, and funky odors, but you are not allowed to even consider whatdoes on inside the worker’s head.I don’t understand how a Chief Learning Officer can say “It’s not mydepartment” when it’s obvious that a worker’s mental health, physicalfitness, emotional balance, outlook on life, authenticity, and social skillshave a tremendous impact on work quality, not to mention personalsatisfaction.I’m going to discuss these “personal” issues because they are vital to

effective informal learning. You’re welcome to jump ahead to the nextchapter if we don’t agree.Steve Jobs, at Stanford graduation, said "You've got to find what youlove. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work isgoing to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied isto do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work isto love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle.As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like anygreat relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. Sokeep looking until you find it. Don't settle.”You need to participate in the new business ecosystem to keep up andto create value. Let’s go over some things your workers should be able todo to stay it top form – and you’re right in there with them. By the way, topmanagers can often benefit from mastering what’s ahead, too.

Know Where You Are Going

What do you want to do with your life? The answer comes to some peopleeasily; I envy them.Once upon a time, this advice helped me home in on my life’s purpose:“Write your obituary.” Go ahead. Try it. What do you want to beremembered for?If you enjoy wallowing in self-exploration, pick up the latest version of

What Color is Your Parachute?

Richard Bolles has said that his perennialbest seller is a self-help book masquerading as a job hunting manual.

Parachute

will help you review what you’ve enjoyed in the past, what sortof people you want to hang with, and whether you want to work withpeople, places, or things. It’s a great resource. One word of caution: don’tforget that your goal is to find yourself, not to spend weeks answering allthe questions in the book. (Bolles, 2005)My current favorite find-yourself aid is a website named 43 Things(43things.com). From the home page:

Write down your goals

People have known for years that making a list of goals is the best way toachieve them. Why is that? First, getting your goals in writing can help youclarify what you really want to do. You might find you have some importantand some frivolous goals. That is OK. You’ve got space for 43 Things onyour list. Not every one of them has to change the world (but save roomfor the ones that might).

Get Inspired

What do you want to do with your life? It is not an easy question to answer – and you shouldn’t have to answer alone. Browse 43 Things to find outwhat others want to do. You might find some goals you share. Click the “Iwant to do this” button to add a goal to your list. Got an idea for a new

goal? Just type it in the text box on the homepage or at the bottom of anypage on the site. Bam. Now, it’s your thing.

Share your progress

We all have stories about what we care about. Writing down your progresson a goal can help someone else learn about something you both want todo. When you see a goal you’ve achieved, click on the “I’ve done this”button and share a story about how you did it.I particularly like 43 Things because it lets users figure things outincrementally. It track my progress. It’s less lonely than doing theParachute exercises, just you and the kitchen table. Give it a whirl; it’sfree.

Find your calling

A couple of years back, I attended an evening session around a fire thattapped into ancient roots. Richard Leider challenged us to think about"What makes you get up in the morning?"Richard has spent his time on earth as a "student of the second half of life." Most of us were clearly in the second half; those in the first half wereprobably in the pool, dancing, getting new tattoos, or doing things that defydescription in a professional book, even an informal one.When Richard asks oldsters what they'd do differently if they couldrelive their experiences, they tell him:

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More time for reflection. Grow whole, not old. Come closer to themagic of the fire. Stare into the flame. Join the village elders in thefront row.

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Courage. Take more risks in work and love. "What do you intend todo in your wild and crazy life?"

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Purpose. Everyone wants to make a difference, to leave a dent inthe world.

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Richard's advice: Be authentic. Find your calling: give your giftsaway. Passion. Values. Find a calling, not a job.

System check

If your basic mental systems are out of whack, you may be working super hard just to cope. I was beyond my fortieth birthday when I discovered Ihad Attention Deficit Disorder and sleep apnea. I recognized my clinicaldepression much earlier but didn’t meet up with the appropriate treatment