The mantra for adaptability – learn, unlearn, relearn

About 15 years ago I was participating in a strategy think tank, when someone said we need to unlearn…followed by silence and many including me scratching our heads – what does that have to do with change?

Now after many years applying unlearning with project teams, I can say it was a gold nugget of advice.?Then last month, I hear it again while attending the higher education summit. I observed a panel discussion about student experiences and that learning literacy and efficiency is about learning, unlearning and relearning.?

Alvin Toffler in his book Future Shock (1970) mentioned, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”?

Imagine a grand, wooden bookshelf filled with books of all sizes and colours, representing the vast knowledge and experiences accumulated over a lifetime.?

• Learn: Every new book added to the shelf represents the acquisition of fresh knowledge, a novel skill, or a new experience. Just as a reader eagerly dives into a new book's pages, excited by its unique story and lessons, learning allows us to continuously enrich our personal library with diverse and updated content.?
• Unlearn: Over time, some books become outdated, irrelevant, or take up valuable space that could be occupied by more relevant information. Removing a book from the shelf to make room for new ones mirrors the process of unlearning. It's about recognising that holding onto outdated beliefs or redundant information can stifle growth. By letting go, we free up space, ensuring our bookshelf remains organised and functional.?
• Relearn: Now, imagine taking an old favourite from the shelf, dusting it off, and discovering it's been updated with new chapters or revised content. This represents relearning. It's not about discarding the old entirely but revisiting and refreshing our understanding with a modern perspective. Like a classic novel with a new foreword or additional content, relearning enhances our existing knowledge, making it more relevant to the current context.?

The bookshelf encapsulates the dynamic journey of continuous growth, where we consistently add new insights, let go of what's no longer serving us, and refresh our perspectives to stay relevant and informed.?

For project teams this means embracing adaptability to ensure they not only survive but thrive in the good and bad days of project planning and delivery. The secret formula for adaptability is simple: learn, unlearn, relearn.?

Learn: Embrace Continuous Learning?

For project teams, the journey begins with the fundamental principle of continuous learning. It means consistently seeking out new knowledge, tools, methods, and practices that can enhance the team's efficiency and effectiveness.?

• Why it matters: As projects evolve, teams often confront unexpected challenges or opportunities. Having a culture of continuous learning equips the team with an ever-expanding toolkit to address these twists and turns, ensuring the team remains agile and responsive.?

Unlearn: Let Go of the Outdated?

Perhaps the most challenging, yet most crucial, is the act of unlearning. It involves discarding practices, beliefs, or methods that no longer serve the team's purpose. It's about acknowledging that just because something worked in the past doesn't mean it's the best approach for the future.?

• Why it matters: Holding onto outdated practices can hinder innovation and efficiency. For a project team to be truly adaptable, it must be willing to shed the old to make way for the new.?

Relearn: Update and Upgrade?

Learning doesn't end once a particular method or tool has been adopted. As the external environment shifts—be it due to technological advancements, changes in stakeholder requirements, or shifts in market dynamics—previously learned skills or methods might need updating.?

• Why it matters: A strategy or tool that was effective a year ago might be obsolete today. Project teams must be attuned to these changes, ensuring that their approaches remain current and relevant.?

When project teams embrace the mantra of learn, unlearn, relearn, they're positioning themselves for success in several ways:?

• Enhanced Agility: Teams can pivot quickly in response to unexpected challenges, ensuring project timelines and goals remain on track.?
• Innovation: A culture that values continuous learning and is unafraid to discard the outdated is one that naturally fosters innovation.?
• Increased Efficiency: By consistently updating tools and methods, teams operate at peak efficiency, ensuring resources are utilised optimally.?

• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Teams can better respond to changing stakeholder needs, ensuring the product or solution aligns with requirements and expectations.?

In a constantly changing?world, adaptability is no longer just a 'nice-to-have'; it's essential and about organisations remaining future-ready.?

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