Lifelong learning and organisational culture | Garry Stern | TEDxStHelier

Summary

This script explores the concept of lifelong learning, emphasizing that learning doesn't end with formal education. The speaker shares personal experiences and insights from their career, showing how learning continues in the workplace through leadership, engagement, and real-world problem-solving. They stress the importance of information, knowledge, and wisdom in transforming raw data into practical skills, and advocate for fostering a culture of ongoing learning within organizations. Leadership and personal motivation play pivotal roles in creating a thriving learning environment, ultimately benefiting both individuals and businesses.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lifelong learning is essential and does not stop after formal education like school or university. Continuing to learn throughout life is key to personal development.
• 😀 Information, knowledge, and wisdom are crucial components in the process of learning and making sense of the vast amounts of information we encounter.
• 😀 Success in leadership and personal development often comes from practical experience and engagement rather than formal education alone.
• 😀 Engaging with people at all levels in an organization and 'walking the talk' is vital for effective leadership and learning in the workplace.
• 😀 In the modern world, the sheer volume of information is overwhelming, and it is important to sift through it to find what is truly useful.
• 😀 Learning from failure can be a valuable experience. Mistakes provide opportunities for growth and understanding.
• 😀 While professions like medicine, law, and teaching emphasize continual professional development (CPD), many businesses lack structured learning and growth programs for employees.
• 😀 A company's investment in employee learning can lead to higher motivation, better results, and increased employee retention, benefiting both the business and the individual.
• 😀 Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge and experience to solve problems, and it plays a critical role in making information useful and relevant.
• 😀 Passion for a subject or area of work drives learning. Without genuine interest, learning becomes superficial and less effective.
• 😀 Leaders play a crucial role in fostering a culture of lifelong learning by understanding their team's needs and encouraging them to engage in continuous personal and professional development.

Q & A

What is the key theme discussed in the script?

The key theme discussed in the script is lifelong learning, focusing on how learning continues after formal education and its importance in personal and professional development.

Why does the speaker emphasize lifelong learning over formal education?

The speaker emphasizes lifelong learning because formal education doesn't mark the end of the learning process. They believe that continuous learning is essential for personal growth and success in the workplace.

How does the speaker describe their own experience with education?

The speaker describes themselves as having had little formal education and no qualifications upon leaving school. Despite this, they achieved success through leadership, engagement, and practical experience.

What three concepts does the speaker believe are key to learning in the workplace?

The three key concepts the speaker identifies are information, knowledge, and wisdom. They explain that understanding and applying these concepts are essential for effective learning.

What is the story about the vacuum cleaners meant to illustrate?

The story about the vacuum cleaners illustrates how simple information, when properly understood and applied, can resolve a problem. It contrasts this with the complexity of modern information, which often requires deeper thought and analysis.

What challenges does the speaker describe when handling complex information?

The speaker describes how large volumes of complex information can arrive quickly, making it difficult to sift through and identify what is truly useful. This is especially challenging in business environments where quick reactions are expected.

How does the speaker handle a major technological crisis in the company?

In the technological crisis, the speaker organized the team into smaller groups to analyze the data and use their skills to find a solution. The situation was resolved by leveraging their collective experience rather than overwhelming the team with all the information at once.

What is the relationship between failure and learning, according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that learning often comes from failure, which should not necessarily be seen as a bad thing. Making mistakes can help individuals and teams learn, improve, and grow.

How does the speaker view the importance of professional development in businesses?

The speaker believes that many businesses fail to invest in continuous professional development (CPD) for their employees, which limits their growth. They argue that businesses should support learning and development to benefit both employees and the company.

What does the speaker think about personal development plans (PDPs) in businesses?

The speaker believes that personal development plans (PDPs) are often undervalued in many businesses. Without proper engagement, PDPs become meaningless, and employees may not see the benefits of learning or developing new skills.

What is the speaker's opinion on how wisdom should be applied in leadership?

The speaker believes that wisdom is essential for leadership, as it involves using knowledge, experience, and common sense to make decisions. Leaders should engage with their teams, understand their needs, and create a culture of lifelong learning to drive success.