Effective learners combine factual knowledge with experiences. But, they focus on building insight in order to practically apply what they’re learning.
The Precept Explained
Where should I focus? What’s most essential regarding my personal and professional growth?
Arguably, there are multiple answers concerning professional focus.
However, the teaching in Proverbs 2.2 says my character development should focus on learning from experiences.
The implication is that I then share from those experiences.
Hence, I’m to focus on building insight, valuing those experiential insights highly.
When a leaders adopt the attitude of a learner, every experience becomes a chance to pick up new insights.
Focus on Building Insight
But, I’m not simply collecting and storing facts. Instead, I’m filling my experiential tool box with valuable insights.
Then, I develop the interpersonal discretion to most appropriately apply what I’m learning.
Now, in a best-case scenario, I combine what I know – the facts, with what I can do with what I know.
As such, the outcome is wise behavior, which is described in the following diagram.
What is Experiential Insight?
I gain practical insights when I learn from experiences. Thus, I don’t stumble blindly from incident to incident.
Leadership Insight
What’s it like to never learn from experience?
Well, you’re constantly amazed at how people react to you! And, you never anticipate how situations will play out!
In short, you’re constantly frustrated by life outcomes. Worse yet, you’re always the victim because nothing is ever your fault.
What No Growth Looks Like
Unfortunately, for unexplained reasons, these non-learners occasionally get into leadership positions.
As expected, the results are not good!
For example, I dealt with several department chairs who had technical competence in their discipline.
But, they never grew outside those narrow bounds, so weren’t able to effectively handle the interpersonal aspects of the job.
Actually, it was the same drama, repeatedly.
So, don’t be that leader! Instead, focus on building insights from your professional experiences.
Apply This Today!
The technical competence that got you here will not get you there in regard to leadership.
Impactful leaders are continual learners.
Moreover, the best leadership learning is that which is carefully absorbed from experiences.
Over time, a leader’s depth of experience should reduce the drama of day-to-day life in the unit.
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