Paradigm Shift - meaning of experiential learning

Meaning of experiential learning has changed over the last eight months since the onset of this Pandemic. Disruption, famously known as VUCA has shown its real side of challenges and not the "imagined" ones. We used to earlier debate and imagine how VUCA would be. I remember big stalwarts (not naming anyone) would lecture and give their own "gyan" of what VUCA is and how to manage it; what competencies and new capabilities would be required to overcome and rise above those situations.

And, then, the real VUCA happened in the form of COVID 19 which no one had imagined, predicted or dreamt about and it was there looming over all us.

I must say, initially, we struggled a lot first to acknowledge its presence, accept its repercussions and then look for possible solutions (which is still WIP) but yes, we have managed. Now the same conferences, seminars, AND webinars (new normal) focus on what new competencies, skills, etc etc are required.

This has taught us that experiential learning is definitely more effective and impactful than merely discussing the imagined one. One key learning, according to me, is "how to adapt to new reality". This should be a new addition to already existed list of universal competencies. Some might say that there is already one under the aegis of "adaptability" or AE - the adaptability quotient. The elements of both "adaptability competency" before and after this pandemic are different which I will share in my next article....till then any guesses what are those differences?