Learning Happens Everywhere—Not Just in the Office or Classroom

The first weekend of 2025, I had the privilege of speaking to a group of young leaders and seasoned professionals in Perth, Australia, about a topic close to my heart: recognizing and valuing the skills we gain in unexpected places. This idea resonates with me deeply because those “unconventional” experiences in life play a pivotal part in shaping?us in ways we do not realize until much later.

As I stood in front of that room, I shared key moments that shaped my career—moments that did not come from formal training, the corporate world, or boardrooms. Instead, they came from unexpected places—the kind we often overlook, particularly when we try to articulate our capabilities to ourselves or others.

I asked the audience to pause and reflect:

What if the experiences we dismiss as “just life” are actually where we gain some of the essential skills to thrive professionally?

For example, when I was younger, I served on the hospitality team at my local church. My role was to welcome speakers, guide them to their seats, help them settle in, and ensure they had everything they needed—water, a place for their notes, and a seamless handover to the pulpit when the time came. This required me to anticipate their needs while staying alert to my surroundings to act quickly and provide support. I paid attention to the speaker, read subtle cues, and stepped in quietly to solve any issues and help keep the program on track.

At the time, it felt like a simple act of service. I enjoyed it—it gave me a reason to dress up in my Sunday best and participate actively in church. But looking back, I realize how that experience sharpened two of my strongest professional skills: attention to detail and the ability to strategically support leaders. I learned to anticipate needs, prepare thoroughly, execute tasks seamlessly, and communicate both with leaders and as a leader.

“I realize how that experience sharpened two of my strongest professional skills.”

Over time, I served in various churches depending on where I lived. Sometimes there was structure, and sometimes the church was in its early stages, requiring me to figure out how to deliver. This taught me to self-manage, get organized, and create structure for my work where none existed. I took pride in serving because it helped others achieve their goals. It was during this time that the word “excellence” became a core part of my mindset and vocabulary.

Interestingly, since 2009, I have directly supported executives who frequently held in-person meetings and events. Coordinating and facilitating workplace experiences for decision-makers, funders, board members, advisors, and celebrities became part of my core deliverables. In the workplace, all this was called “VIP Stakeholder Engagement”, and when I looked closely, the tasks mirrored the work I did supporting speakers at church.

Those hospitality and facilitating skills became a cornerstone of my career. Thanks to my early experiences, I delivered efficiently and effectively. When unexpected, high-pressure moments snuck up while coordinating meetings or events at work, I handled them with composure, professionalism, and a sense of ease.

Rewarding professional skills are often forged in unexpected places. They are not only learned in textbooks, workshops, or seminars but also through seemingly simple responsibilities.

It could be volunteering at a community event, babysitting, a Saturday chess game, strategizing the perfect tee shot, or even planning a tight household budget. These moments leave us with experience that often translates into the essential skills we need to win in the workplace.

The key message I shared with the audience was this: Learning is everywhere if we choose to see it.?

I encouraged them to take a step back and assess the spaces where they volunteered, served, or spent their time. Then, I challenged them to ask themselves:

• Have I shown up with an open mind, ready to absorb and learn the fundamental skills that each space presents to me?
• How can I leverage those unconventional lessons and skills to support my current goals?
• How can I use them to optimize my work and advance my career?

“Rewarding professional skills are often forged in unexpected places.”

I hope you reflect on the same. What skills have you potentially overlooked because they were learned outside the workplace or classroom? How can you adopt and apply them to elevate your day-to-day and fulfill your deliverables with excellence?

Learning is all around us—so embrace it and maximize it wherever you find it.

Prudence Chikono

eahacks.com | Professional Skills Coach | Learning Experience Designer.

You can also read our blog "5 Nuggets You Can Easily Implement to Kickstart a Rewarding Assistant Experience."