Motivation Monday - Leaders are Learners...

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of education, reflecting on their personal journey from a struggling student to a committed learner. They highlight the importance of earning a degree, not just for professional success but for personal growth and brain development. The speaker encourages students to embrace lifelong learning, stressing its impact on problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills, ultimately urging them to continue their educational journey for personal and professional enhancement.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and how it has been a pivotal factor in their personal and professional success.
• 🧠 The process of earning a degree is highlighted as a transformative experience that changes the brain's structure and problem-solving abilities.
• 📚 Education is presented as an investment in oneself, which can lead to a sense of accomplishment and personal growth.
• 🔄 The speaker shares their own academic journey, illustrating the power of perseverance and the impact of surrounding oneself with motivated peers.
• 🏆 The completion of a degree is celebrated as a significant milestone that opens doors for future opportunities.
• 🤝 The value of learning in a community setting is underscored, suggesting that being part of a learning environment enhances the educational experience.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that learning can lead to a change in neurology, indicating that education has a measurable impact on the brain.
• 🛠️ The necessity of learning to 'unlearn' and 'relearn' is mentioned, emphasizing adaptability as a key skill in personal and professional development.
• 🏆 The script encourages students to continue their education, suggesting that the benefits of completing a degree are profound and far-reaching.
• 📈 The speaker advocates for the pursuit of higher education, including graduate degrees and certifications, as a means to advance in life and leadership.
• 🌟 The power of community and connection in learning is reiterated, with the speaker sharing examples of students pursuing multiple advanced degrees for personal and professional enrichment.

Q & A

What was identified as the single most important factor contributing to the speaker's success?

The speaker identified 'learning' as the single most important factor contributing to their success, both professionally and personally.

Why does the speaker believe that earning a degree is significant, even for successful business leaders and entrepreneurs without a college education?

The speaker believes that earning a degree is significant because it provides a structured curriculum that challenges individuals to develop new skills and think differently, which can shift and change the brain.

What personal change did the speaker experience when they started hanging around a group of smart and studious friends?

The speaker's grades improved, and they began studying more, which was a result of aligning with the behavior of their new friend group.

How did the speaker's perspective on education change from their junior high to college years?

Initially, the speaker was not a very good student in junior high, but by high school, they started to study more and improve their grades. By college, they were working part-time and considering dropping out to work full-time, but ultimately decided to continue their education, which opened many doors for them.

What was the speaker's initial hesitation about continuing their education after high school?

The speaker was unsure about going to college and even doubted whether they would finish it. They initially considered stopping their education after high school to work full-time.

How did the speaker's experience in college change their approach to problem-solving and communication?

The speaker found that after completing their degree, they were able to evaluate problems differently, became more patient in communications, and could think things through more effectively.

What is the significance of completing a degree program according to the speaker?

Completing a degree program is significant because it represents an investment in oneself and can change the neurology of the brain, leading to improved problem-solving and communication skills.

What does the speaker suggest about the value of education for personal and professional growth?

The speaker suggests that education is an investment that offers the highest return when completed, as it changes the brain's neurology and enhances one's skills and capabilities.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of learning to 'unlearn, relearn, and think again'?

The speaker emphasizes this because it is the most important skill set for adapting to changes and keeping skills fresh, which is crucial for personal and professional development.

What advice does the speaker give to those considering returning to college or completing a degree?

The speaker advises them to enroll and continue their education, as it will move the needle in their life and provide incredible value for their personal and professional growth.

How does the speaker describe the impact of being part of a learning community on an individual's life and leadership?

The speaker describes the impact as providing an incredible value for one's life and leadership, as it fosters connection and the development of new skills and perspectives.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 The Power of Learning and Education

The speaker reflects on the critical role of learning in their personal and professional achievements, emphasizing the transformative effect of committing to education. They recount their journey from being an average student to realizing the value of earning a degree, which they believe changes one's brain due to the structured curriculum and the sense of accomplishment it brings. The speaker also highlights the importance of perseverance and the shift in mindset that comes with higher education, as well as the doors it opens for personal and professional growth. They advocate for the continuous pursuit of learning, whether through degrees, certifications, or professional development, and encourage students at Walsh College to appreciate the investment they are making in themselves and their future.

05:01

📚 Embracing Lifelong Learning and Community

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the significance of lifelong learning and the community aspect of education. They mention the various levels of academic achievement at Walsh College, including fast-tracked programs and double doctorates, to illustrate the dedication and commitment of students to their learning journey. The speaker underscores the value of being in a learning community, suggesting that the collective pursuit of knowledge enhances personal and leadership skills. They encourage those considering returning to college or advancing their education to enroll at Walsh, highlighting the benefits of ongoing education and the profound impact it can have on one's life and career.

Keywords

💡Leaders

Leaders in this context are individuals who guide and influence others, often in a professional or organizational setting. The script emphasizes that leaders are learners, highlighting the importance of continuous learning for personal and professional growth. The speaker reflects on their own journey, indicating that leadership and learning are intertwined.

💡Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning refers to the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for personal or professional reasons. In the script, the speaker underscores the significance of lifelong learning in their personal development and career advancement, suggesting that a commitment to learning is a key factor in achieving success.

💡Education

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. The video script discusses the transformative power of education, illustrating how formal education, such as degrees and certifications, has been pivotal in the speaker's life and career, and is a critical component of personal development.

💡Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to analyze a situation and apply logical thinking to find a solution. The speaker mentions problem solving as one of the many factors they've had to work through, indicating its importance in both academic and professional settings, and how it contributes to a well-rounded skill set.

💡Perseverance

Perseverance is the quality of continuing in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition. The script implies that perseverance is a key trait that has helped the speaker overcome challenges and achieve their goals, aligning with the overall theme of resilience and determination in learning.

💡Grit

Grit is a combination of passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals. The speaker includes grit as one of the factors that have contributed to their success, suggesting that maintaining a strong commitment to learning and growth is essential for achieving one's objectives.

💡Mindset

Mindset refers to a set of beliefs or attitudes that shape how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. The script briefly touches on mindset as a factor in the speaker's journey, implying that having a positive and growth-oriented mindset is crucial for embracing learning and overcoming obstacles.

💡Professional Development

Professional development is the process of acquiring new skills, knowledge, and experiences to improve professional competence. The speaker reflects on the role of professional development in their career, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and skill enhancement for career progression.

💡Degree Program

A degree program is a structured course of study leading to a degree, such as a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. The script highlights the value of completing a degree program, suggesting that the process of earning a degree is not just about the qualification but also about personal growth and the development of new skills.

💡Neurology

Neurology is the study of the nervous system, including the brain. The speaker mentions the neurological changes that occur as a result of learning, indicating that education and learning have a tangible impact on the brain's structure and function, thus enhancing cognitive abilities.

💡Investment in Self

Investment in self refers to the resources, time, and effort one puts into personal growth and development. The script emphasizes the idea that pursuing education is an investment in oneself, which can yield high returns in terms of personal and professional success.

💡Community and Connection

Community and connection refer to the sense of belonging and support that comes from being part of a group with shared interests or goals. The speaker talks about the value of being in a learning community, suggesting that the social aspect of education can be as important as the academic content for personal and leadership development.

Highlights

The most important factor for personal and professional success is a commitment to learning.

Education has been crucial throughout the speaker's life and career.

Earning a degree changes our brain due to the structured curriculum.

The speaker initially disliked the idea of taking a stats class but learned to overcome it.

In business, unlike in a degree program, one can often outsource or delegate weaknesses.

Completing a degree provides a sense of accomplishment and self-investment.

The speaker's academic journey began with being an average student in junior high.

High school friendships with studious peers improved the speaker's academic performance.

The speaker considered dropping out of college to focus on work but decided to continue.

Working while studying in college helped the speaker to love business and sales.

The speaker regrets not attending a college that integrates work and education like Walsh College.

Finishing a degree opened many doors for the speaker both professionally and personally.

Completing a degree program changes one's neurology and problem-solving abilities.

The speaker emphasizes the value of education as an investment in oneself.

Walsh College students and alumni demonstrate the transformative power of education.

Learning and relearning are essential skills for life and leadership.

The speaker encourages those considering returning to college or further education to enroll at Walsh.

Walsh College offers fast-track programs, double Masters, and even double doctorates.

The community and connection in learning environments are invaluable for personal growth and leadership.

Transcripts

right so leaders are Learners I was

recently asked what was the single most

important factor that made the

difference in what I was able to

accomplish in my life professionally

personally career-wise and at first I

wasn't sure what it was because I

thought well there's been so many

factors that I've had to work through

right like problem solving perseverance

grit mindset I mean lifelong learning

and then it hit me it was the learning

if I were to look back at any point

along my life or my career it was my my

commitment to learning whether a degree

program a certification a workshop

professional development that moved the

needle forward in my life in my business

for my career everything and I realized

how important education really has been

throughout my life and obviously I work

in education now so it's no surprise and

you might be thinking well are you

saying that you can't be successful if

you don't have an education and no it's

not what I'm saying at all there are

many successful business leaders and

entrepreneurs that don't have college

that are very successful there is

something about earning a degree though

that shifts and changes our brain

because of the structure and the process

that the curriculum puts in front of us

right so like for me I had to take a

stats class and I'm thinking oh I don't

want to even see these numbers or

formulas please just give me an essay to

write and you know you have to learn how

to move through those things where you

can't hire team you can't you know

Outsource it you can't solve it a

different way which many times in

business that's what we do when we hit a

point where we might be weak at it we

would bring in our team member we'd find

somebody else who could do it or we'd

Outsource it not saying that we haven't

all had to do things difficult in

business but the difference is that when

you earn a degree there's a sense of

accomplishment there's a sense of

investment in yourself and you're

following a prescribed or somewhat

prescribed program so that you can get

to the finish line now I can say this

because there was a point in time I

wasn't sure I was even going to go to

college and I didn't even know if I was

going to finish so when I was in think

it was junior high was not a very good

student was a c student I was talking

class all the time I know shocking and

then I got into high school and I

started to hang around a group of

friends that were really smart that were

very studious and I didn't necessarily

pick them because of that they just were

my friend group so what happens when you

start to hang around people that you

know are certain Behavior you shift and

align with them and so my grades got

better I was studying more and then I

got into college and I wasn't even sure

I was going to go to college right I was

like I'll be done when I'm done in high

school and I want to go work so I start

college and I started college at U ofm

and I was going through college and I

was working working at the same time to

put myself through college so I I sold

jewelry for a retail uh organization

while I was in college and I loved

selling I loved business I loved working

I mean I was only supposed to be working

part-time but I was probably working a

little more like full-time because I

liked it so much and juggling it and I

remember thinking I'm just going to stop

school and work because I loved work so

much now I didn't go to Walsh College I

wish I did because Walsh College you can

work while you're getting your education

it seamlessly integrates right were

literally Built For the Working adult

the working professional but that wasn't

at that time that wasn't the way that my

college was structured so I thought okay

I'm just going to drop out after

sophomore year I'm going to work

full-time and I'm going to be done with

school and it literally could have gone

either way and for whatever reason I

think I just decided Well I'll just do

another semester and then I'll do

another semester and I got so close I

finished I'm so glad that I did I am so

glad I finished what I started because

that opened so many doors after that

professionally and personally and also

realized my brain actually shifted like

I was able to evaluate problems

differently I was more patient in my

communications I could think things

through in the future and then I went on

and I got subsequent graduate degrees

and certifications and I don't share all

that to impress you but to impress upon

you that I've been on both sides I was

not sure I was going to go to college or

even get in and I wasn't sure I was

going to finish and now I can tell you

I'm so glad that I did There's Something

About completing a degree program

finishing what we start and I see this

every day with our students at Walsh our

alumni the community I know the value of

education and it's an investment in

yourself so if you're a student at Walsh

congratulations for making that

investment keep going because the

investment is the best and the highest

return when you finish and know that you

are literally changing the Neurology of

your brain like the Neuroscience we can

measure how the brain changes when you

learn when you have to develop new

skills when you have to think about you

know problems from a different way or

work in teams all of that is so

important so when you think about life

that's the most important skill set we

have is to learn to relearn if we have

to I think Adam Grant talks about that

and think again to unlearn relearn and

to be able to keep those skills Fresh So

if you're on the fence if you've been

thinking about coming back to college or

if you're finishing a degree and you

might want to go on and get a

certification or a MERS I can tell you

without a doubt that will move the

needle in your life enroll with us at

Walsh join us here stay on continue on

we have so many students that do fast

track or they get a double Masters and

then they go into the doctoral program

and we even have some of our doctoral

students doing double doctorates and you

would say well why is somebody doing

this because they know what happens when

you're learning when you're in community

and connection with people the

incredible value for your life and for

your leadership