LEARNABILITY 23 September

Hello!

It's great to be back after the holidays.

Autumn is my favourite time of year, starting new projects, meeting new people and learning new ideas.

And speaking of new ideas, let's get straight on with this month's Learnability nuggets...

?? Personal Growth

Proactive Feedback

I always like to see anyone getting out of their comfort zone to learn, adapt and prosper.

This month, a friend of mine, let's call her Jenny, did something that impressed me so much, I have to share it here. It's a great example of how to make serious progress in your career.

She first sent a tentative message to her most trusted contacts asking if they would be prepared to give her candid feedback. Once confirmed, she then sent a set of 8 feedback questions - in this case via Google Forms - along with an explanation of her concerns and objectives.

For example, one of the questions was "Is there any specific feedback you’ve been hesitant to share with me that might hurt my feelings but you believe could help me professionally?"

I think this is amazing.

Firstly, it takes tremendous courage to actively seek opinions that focus on your weaknesses or failings. It's much easier to ignore them, deny them or convince yourself they're not a problem.

Secondly, if you want to grow and become the best version of yourself, dealing with your biggest issues is clearly time and effort well spent, especially if you hadn't realised it was a problem in the first place.

Thirdly, I sent the feedback and her reply was 'Thank you. That was refreshing to read." No arguing, no defensiveness, no justifications. The best way to recieve feedback is to listen, say thank you and deal with it.

The lesson here isn't about Google Forms. It's about approaching someone and asking them for candid feedback and using it to make real improvements.

Could you benefit from doing this?

?? HR & Professional Development

Learning Tracks

What kind of learning track is right for you?

As professionals, we all have our own goals and different priorities. Whether you're aiming for your next promotion, expanding your knowledge for the love of learning, or simply maintaining your performance while focussing on things at home, the key is to align your learning track with your aspirations. So, what kind of learning is right for you? Which of these resonates most?

1. The High Achiever's Track?

If you're someone who’s already performing well but has set your sights even higher, the High Achiever's Track is for you. You're the kind of person who strives for growth, new challenges, and often has a promotion in mind. Learning for you should focus on advancing leadership skills, sharpening specialised skills, and taking on projects and activities that get you out of your comfort zone.

?

Such activities are:

• Leadership Development Programs: Courses or workshops that build strategic decision-making, team management, and executive presence.
• Advanced Certifications: Pursuing industry-recognized certifications that can position you as an expert in your field.
• Mentorship and Coaching: Pairing up with a senior leader for mentorship or working with a professional coach to refine your career path.
• Stretch Assignments: Taking on high-visibility projects that stretch your current skill set and offer new responsibilities.

Ask yourself: “Am I looking to grow into a leadership role or gain recognition through exceptional performance?” If so, focus on learning opportunities that prepare you for higher-level roles.

?

2. The Lifelong Learner's Track

Not everyone is looking to climb the corporate ladder. If you’re happy in your current position but still interested in acquiring new skills, the Lifelong Learner track is a great fit. For you, learning is about gaining exposure to new ideas, cultivating new skills and expanding your knowledge across different fields.

Such activities are:

• Cross-Training: Engaging in programs that allow you to learn about other departments or disciplines within your organisation.
• Workshops and Short Courses: Attending workshops that cover emerging trends, new technologies, or other topics of interest to broaden your perspective.
• Job Shadowing: Spending time learning from colleagues in different roles to gain insights into different areas of the business.
• Creative or Non-Professional Learning: Taking courses in unrelated fields, such as pottery, photography, design thinking, or creative writing, to stimulate new ways of thinking.

Ask yourself: “Am I more interested in learning for the sake of discovery rather than for advancement?” If yes, choose learning experiences that fuel your curiosity and expand your horizons without the pressure of career progression.

?

3. The Balancer Track

At times, the most important goal is finding equilibrium between professional success and personal well-being. If you're in a phase where your life outside of work takes precedence, the Balancer track may resonate with you. While you might not be focussed on intense learning programs, there are still opportunities to engage in low-effort, high-impact activities that help maintain your performance or even simplify your workload.

Such activities are:

• Time Management and Productivity Workshops: Courses that help you streamline tasks, manage your time efficiently, and improve work-life balance.
• Wellness Programs: Engaging in stress management, mindfulness, or wellness activities that promote overall well-being, both inside and outside of work.
• Basic Skill Refreshers: Taking short courses that keep your existing skills sharp without requiring a major time commitment.
• Automating Workflows: Learning tools or software that can automate routine tasks and reduce your workload, giving you more time to focus on personal priorities.

Ask yourself: "Do I want to maintain my performance while prioritising my personal life?" If so, explore learning opportunities that focus on efficiency and well-being, helping you work smarter, not harder.

Remember, your priorities and goals can shift over time. Whether you’re seeking promotion, personal exploration, or balance, learning should evolve to match your current objectives. Reassess your goals regularly and align your learning plan accordingly. As circumstances change, so can your path - and the learning opportunities that come with it.

Ultimately, the most effective learning strategy is the one that complements where you are in both your career and personal life. Choose the path that resonates with you, and tailor your development journey to support your growth, however you define it.

So, what kind of learning track is right for you?

?? Imaginary Barriers

The Little Elephant

Once upon a time, there lived a little baby elephant that had been born in the circus.

When he was just a few days old, the elephant keeper tied a rope around him and attached it to a stake in the ground. The little elephant pulled on it with his little leg, he pulled on it with his little trunk, but the stake was too firm and the rope was too thick. Every day he tried to break free but he just wasn't strong enough.

Days went by, weeks went by, months went by. Failure after failure after failure.?

Then one day, many years later, a little girl was visiting the circus and came face to face with what was now a very big elephant looking somewhat lonely and forlorn, tied to the woodworm-ridden stake with the old rope.

“Why doesn’t the elephant break free?” asked the little girl to the elephant keeper.

The elephant keeper winked, crouched down and whispered in her ear, “Because he has learnt that he can’t.”

Much like the elephant, many of the limitations we face today are not because we are incapable, but because we've learned to believe we are.

Throughout our lives, we absorb lessons based on our experiences, particularly when those experiences result in failure or frustration. At the time, these lessons may have been necessary for survival or self-preservation. However, as we grow, adapt, and acquire new skills or perspectives, those old lessons can become outdated, holding us back rather than protecting us.

So, it’s important to recognise that what once was true may no longer be true. Our circumstances, knowledge, and abilities change over time, but our beliefs and mindset may not always keep pace. By holding on to outdated assumptions, we risk remaining tethered to invisible barriers - barriers we now have the strength, resources, and understanding to overcome.

The key to breaking free lies in questioning those old beliefs, challenging their validity in the present, and recognizing our current potential to succeed where we once failed.

So what imaginary stakes are holding you back?

?? Teachers & Parents

Free Theatre Invitation

On Thursday, the 3rd of October at 19:30 CET, my English Educational Theatre company, IPA Productions, will be having a private performance for teachers, friends and family of our new show: Pinocchio. It's ideal for primary-school children learning English.

I'm inviting you and your family, too.

If you have kids between 6 and 10, live near Barcelona, and would like to see what my theatre company does, please let me know and I'll get you free tickets.

No strings attached!

What I'm Doing This Month

September is one of my busiest months of the year. Here's why:

• Bookings: The first week of September saw teachers planning their activities for the new academic year. This means taking bookings for my theatre company's 1000 performance of English theatre for schools.
• Rehearsals: Similarly, our new team of actors start having to learn all their shows in just 3 weeks.
• IESE Business School: The second week of September was the start of the IESE MBA program, headed by an intense communications course covering the basics of effective public speaking: Messaging, Logos, Storytelling, Ethos and Pathos. The final session saw the 10 best speeches, selected from 400+ student, presented in the magnificent Aula Magna. An amazing experience for the speakers and audience.
• JobMardrid: I was honoured to be invited to speak at the international job fair next moth in Madrid by Claudia Garcia De Pomar . The subject "How to keep your job once you have it" is about my 30 years experience of hiring and firing and how learnability makes all the difference.
• APMP TV Webinar: When I attend a webinar, there are usually between 10 to 100 people in the audience. Next month I'll be talking about LEARNABILITY to an audience between 700 and 1000. A big thank you to Darby Coughlin inviting me on the show.
• New Book: I'm pleased to say I finished my first draft of my next book 'Learnability: How to accelerate you career' at the end of August. I'm now grooming the first draft, tightening it up, filling the knowledge gaps and adding graphics where needed. Will it be out before Christmas? Who can tell?

If you're interested in accelerating the development of your people, or if you would like me to talk about the importance of Learnability at your next event, please get in touch now. I'd love to learn more about the challenges you're facing and how I can help.

In the meantime, all the best and keep learning ??