Making space for learning every day
As part of Microsoft’s cultural transformation, CEO Satya Nadella has frequently said we need to change from a “know-it-all” company to a “learn-it-all” company. In just a few short years, I’ve seen teams and individuals make enormous strides to change our mindset across Microsoft.
But here’s the thing about learning: It’s never done. You don’t get a completion certificate saying you’ve successfully learned it all; instead, learning is a lifelong, never-ending pursuit.
I wholeheartedly agree with Satya – a learn-it-all culture is vital to our ability to grow and transform as the world changes rapidly around us. If you ask business leaders and CEOs about their biggest fears, their answers might surprise you: 64% of the 25,000 people polled in the Global Leadership Forecast 2018 ranked developing next generation talent in their top five challenges. Clearly, learning is top of mind across industries.
You can see the emphasis Microsoft has placed on learning in our investments in the market. Just a few weeks ago, we announced the Microsoft Professional Program in AI, the latest learning track in our professional program we've opened to the public. It joins learning tracks in Data Science, Cloud Administration, DevOps, and more.
It’s also a key focus of Microsoft Philanthropies, led by Mary Snapp. In her LinkedIn post from February, she points out that in 2017, the US-based TEALS program connected 1,050 volunteers with 12,000 students in 348 high schools across 31 states. YouthSpark and DigiGirlz are two other initiatives we sponsor that reach young people worldwide to spark an interest in learning digital skills.
As the pace of change continues to increase, especially as technology becomes embedded in every facet of our lives, lifelong learning is the only way to stay relevant. I think it’s best to follow a 70/20/10 rule – 70% of your development should come from on-the-job opportunities to grow your skills and expand your knowledge, 20% should come from self-study and discovery, and 10% should come from formal training and development opportunities. Your personal development plan – you do have one, right? – should include the specific ways you’ll build the skills and competencies to succeed and grow in your career.
Personally, my 70% comes from the people on my team and the customers we work with. Whether I’m traveling or in Bellevue, I always want to hear from them. I make time for roundtable discussions and town halls so I can hear what challenges they’re facing, how they’re adapting to Microsoft’s transformation, and what they think about the forces shaping our world and our business. Every conversation is an opportunity for me to learn and grow.
Reading is a big part of my 20% self-study. I just finished Brad Smith and Harry Shum’s book The Future Computed, and it was fascinating to learn just how much potential AI has to address societal challenges and amplify human ingenuity and intelligence. A human-centered approach to AI, coupled with important policy and legal considerations, will ensure the responsible use of AI to improve life for everyone on this planet.
And while I’ll readily acknowledge that I could get better at finding time for my 10% formal training and development, Microsoft’s investments in learning make it easy to find interesting and applicable courses and content, such as the MOOCs available on edX.org, the many partner-focused training programs we offer, and the regular video updates on Channel 9.
I’d love to hear how you’re building space for learning into your day-to-day life. Let me know in the comments below.
ATA-Business Office Administration & Supervision w/Microsoft Office Certifications
4 年How "spot-on" is this article- especially now, 2 years later.
Great article. We can never stop learning.
I am a community partner, champion of education, and voice actor as all roles aim to amplify the impact of all the good work being done.
6 年I make the time to meet with colleagues in other fields whom I have met through various committees and networking events. Their perspectives keep me listening & learning. I enjoy reading research shared by colleagues, social activist groups, and organizations I follow and/or support online. I also attend workshops, seminars, and summits I feel will challenge me in some way.
I help attorneys identify what’s getting in their way of success and assist them in setting clear goals to move forward. Retired PwC Partner | Professional Certified Coach | Keynote Speaker | Mental Fitness Coach
6 年Agree! In the early years, we generally "hate" learning because we want to play. As we get older, many come to appreciate it but our formal education ends. Unfortunately, we don't think proactively about continuing to learn which is a mistake. The 70/20/10 "rule" is useful for millions of people but not so much the large group who are no longer "on the job" - those 11,000 baby boomers, for example, who turn 65 each day and leave a career to explore other options. For them, the rule might be 10/70/20. But, wherever we are in life, continual learning is key; if you don't have a passion, make learning your "default" passion.
Phil, great article and perspective. Learning shouldn't be something we do in addition to our job; it should be woven into everything we do. The question becomes, how do we shift to a growth mindset approach where we are constantly seeking and filtering information for learning, insight and action?