Unlocking Adaptability: Unlearn, Inspired by Students, Valuable for Corporates.

The Learning Revolution

Imagine a bustling world of learning, where over 279,145 minds in Flanders alone hop on the rollercoaster of a higher education journey. That was the case in 2022-2023. This number, already impressive, is climbing even higher this year, marking a 3.5% increase.

Picture these students, cocooned in their study spaces, whether at home, in student housing, or dedicated 'blok'-locations like The Student Village in Brugge. They're immersed in a sea of books, summaries, and tech, with their focus laser-sharp on their studies.

In my home, and perhaps in yours, the scene mirrors this with my daughter. For her, it's a rhythmic dance of reading, understanding, and summarising (and if you missed my blog on dancing, you're in for a treat - here it is: https://bit.ly/dancingblindfolded). We, the backstage crew of parents, are there to support them during the intense learning phase, providing not just physical nourishment like vitamin-rich drinks and juicy fruits but also a steady stream of emotional support.

Traditionally, these months December and January, the employees of the future are immersed in their educational journey, eagerly absorbing knowledge to prepare for their future careers. As a leader and a parent, I strongly believe in the idea of #lifelonglearning, which means that learning is like gathering a valuable collection of knowledge — the more, the merrier. Companies are obsessed with becoming a learning organisation. As a former Salesforce Director, let me cheer them on: “Go, go, go trailblazers!”.?

This learning mindset is evident in our collective quest for new skills and qualifications, including the pursuit of academic degrees.

But to truly unlock a universe of possibilities and success, we need not just to learn, but we need to master the art of unlearning.

Keep scrolling to dive deeper into this unlearning journey.

Unlearning: what’s that all about?

Unlearning isn’t about erasing what you know; it's about making space for new methods and ideas. This process involves critically examining and questioning existing assumptions and biases, and being open to new demands and experiences. It's a journey from the cozy comfort zone straight into the heart of innovation, especially in the business realm. It’s about embracing change, even when it nudges us out of our comfort bubble.

In today's fast-paced, ever-evolving world, the ability to unlearn is becoming a superpower for business success.

For a parent like me, unlearning is not just a concept; it's a daily adventure. Just when I think I've nailed a parenting strategy, it's time to toss it out as my kids outgrow it.

Think about this: In my days as a student (than you chatgpt but in real life I looked much smarter), marking unclear topics with a simple post-it for a once-daily discussion over a wired phone was my norm. Now, contrast this with my daughter's approach, engaging in always-on collaborative video call study sessions.

This transformation, made seamless by digital advancements and instant access to information, highlights the opportunity to unlearn and relearn. Goodbye, post-its!         

And yet, while my shopping lists, loyalty cards, and even my wallet have gone digital, I still can't unlearn the craving of a chic handbag. I need help.

Unlearning: the challenge

Our reluctance to abandon old habits and the 'it worked before' mindset is deeply rooted in our psychology and brain structure.?

We have a?neurological comfort zone, where familiar patterns release dopamine, offering us a cozy blanket of security and predictability. This comfort in the known is compounded by?psychological inertia, where our mind prefers the status quo. Add to this the role of the?basal ganglia, a key player in habit formation, and it's clear why established routines feel like second nature.

Acknowledging these facets of our brain, besides the nostalgia, the fear of the unknown and confirmation bias is the first step in breaking free from resistance to change and embarking on the unlearning odyssey.

How likely do you unlearn? Are you using your full powers to embrace change? Curious to uncover tools, powered by AI, and services that are available to help you understand your level of adaptability and unlearn skill?

Don’t look further, the ability to unlearn is one of the dimensions identified by research and included in the?AQai?adaptability model that the tool will surface and I can guide you to embrace and thrive.

Unlearning: Why It's a Game-Changer

Actively parking old habits and assumptions is a power move for both individuals and organisations, sparking adaptability to peak performance.

This proactive approach catalyses collaboration, uniting teams around a common vision for the future. It propels organizations to innovate and stay competitive. Unlearning tears down the walls of comfort zones, igniting creativity and agility. It arms leaders with the insight to sidestep cognitive biases and blind spots, paving the way for smarter decision-making.

And yes, I do acknowledge, in times of uncertainty, choosing to unlearn is a bold, brave act, pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities. I know you have that courage in you!

Unlearning to Grow: Embracing Change and New Roles in My Career Journey

Let me inspire you,?in the world of careers and change,?with a few stories in?my journey of unlearning and relearning.??Just like the heart beats, transitioning from one beat to the next, I moved from being a Principal Solution Engineer and stepped into the grand shoes of a Director, leading a team of skilled professionals.

• In this adventure, the first lesson was like a dance of old and new. I learned that it was both challenging and essential to unlearn habits from my previous roles. Like a gardener who must prune old branches for new growth, I had to unlearn doing it myself and learn the art of delegation. It wasn't that I thought a Director did nothing; rather, it was about creating space, having empty blocks in my calendar to relearn new tasks that came with this prestigious role.
• The second lesson was about overcoming shadows of concern. At the start, my heart was heavy with guilt over possibly burdening my team. I would rather take on tasks myself in the quiet of the evening than ask a busy team member to give up their restful night. But like a wise owl, I realized I had to let go of this burden. I needed those quiet evening hours to sharpen my skills for my new responsibilities.?
• The third lesson was like a melody that had to change its tune. I was worried about being seen as lazy or losing my technical edge, my "raison d'être". It was a challenge, like trying to hold onto the familiar notes of an old song. But the hardest part was letting go of the rush of accomplishment, the dopamine, from each successful meeting or presentation. It was like stepping away from a warm, comforting fire into the unknown. So, I learned to quiet my mind, to open my heart to new tasks that fit my role as a Director, like becoming a spokesperson for Public Relations. This new path brought different, yet equally thrilling, moments of success and learning.

So, dear reader, my journey of unlearning taught me three vital lessons: the grace of delegation, the courage to face perceptions, and the strength to embrace new sources of fulfilment.?

How to embrace the unlearning journey

Embracing Marshall Goldsmith's insight from 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There,' it's electrifying to realise that true growth sprouts not just from learning, but from the process of unlearning. As we gracefully let go of the old and joyously welcome the new, we unlock a universe of possibilities and achievements.

For students, especially in their first year of higher education, I believe that the path to a diploma is a journey through three transformative steps. Professionals can similarly benefit from this three-step transformation:

Clarity

First, you need to be ready to question how things are right now, even if they seem okay. Think about how students have to forget the way they used to study in school and find new ways that work better for them. This means figuring out what old habits you don't need anymore and deciding to stop doing them.

One thing that always worked for me was creating time when my mind was clear and not foggy.

When I was a solution engineer, and I spent lots of time working on project notes, creating captivating stories, and preparing valuable demos and presentations, I found these clear moments while taking my morning shower or going for a walk, especially when we were all working from home more. When I was a Director, these moments helped me think of what I should change in my plans for next year, which goals to let go off for my team, and think about what aspect of the 1:1s I want to leave behind.

“Surrounded by the soothing rhythm of falling water, my thoughts flowed freely, unleashing a stream of innovation and ideation, as if the shower wasn’t just washing away my sleep, but also unlocking the doors of imagination.”

Curiosity

Now we know which specific pattern to evolve or let go off, let’s dive into exploring and experimenting with new methodologies. Embrace your inner detective with questions like “How might I/we?get to know alternative study methods?”, “How might I/we?identify innovative exam preparation strategies?”. This phase is about brainstorming, exploring, experimenting, and testing new techniques to narrow it down to a strategy that elevates our business goal.

Consistency

True change requires dedication and commitment. Embracing this mantra "think big, start small, act daily" helps students integrate these new strategies into their daily routine. Remember, It's about taking small, consistent steps towards building robust, effective new habits, backed by determination, resilience, and a crystal-clear understanding of their goals.

In the book 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear, it says that even little changes, if you keep doing them, will make a big difference after a while. This is really important when you're trying to unlearn old habits and start new ones bit by bit. The book talks about a study by Phillippa Lally, a scientist at University College London. She and her team found out that usually, it takes about 2 months, or 66 days, for a new thing you're doing to become a regular habit. At the end of the day, how long it takes to form a particular habit doesn’t really matter that much. Whether it takes 21 days or 90 days, you have to put in the work and be consistent.?

Our next steps

Unlearning old things and learning new ones are really important for growing and being successful. They help everyone get better, no matter where they are in school or their job.

Being an Adaptability Coach, I'm exited to steer your team and organisation through this transformative journey, helping you uncover and let go of what holds you back, and embrace new, effective ways of thinking and acting.

Unlearning is a skill, as Barry O’Reilly?expressively?put it in “Unlearn: Let Go of Past Success to Achieve Extraordinary Results”.         

Are you feeling the call to join this journey of unlearning? I am deeply grateful for the time you took reading this article, digesting what is in the article that can help you or your team.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss and potentially accompany your team on this path. It's a journey that requires courage, openness, and a willingness to step into the unknown. Let's turn this bold dream into a vibrant reality.

And as we embark on this adventure together, know that your trust in me is a gift I cherish. Let's collaborate, learn, unlearn, and grow together.?