Did You Learn to Lead at the Age of Seven?

Childhood development experts tend to point to the ages of 4 - 10 as critical for learning the fundamental building blocks of education otherwise known as "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic."  During these important years children develop their academic foundation, not just because they learn how to navigate these three pillars of knowledge, but they also learn how to learn.  Knowing how people learn is critical to being an effective leader.  And, just like "reading, writing and arithmetic" are the critical components to knowledge, there are three elements to learning:  Absorb, Connect, Apply.

Learning begins with a step called "Absorb."  In order to learn anything, you must first pay attention.  Any leader who has ever conducted a meeting and then two days later answered the exact questions addressed in that meeting knows that being present when information is shared is not enough to qualify as absorbing the information.  To lead means to deliver information in a variety of ways (visually, audibly and kinesthetically) to best ensure that the recipient is truly engaged in active listening.

I spent two years "absorbing" high school Spanish.   My primary reason for taking Spanish was because most of the cheerleaders were in that class.  I paid attention enough to get the grades necessary to pass the course.  Still, my knowledge of Spanish is pretty much limited to "hola, que pasa" and "muy poquito," the latter being my exaggeration when someone asks me if I speak Spanish.  The problem was, I didn't "connect" learning Spanish to anything in my life.  I grew up in rural Illinois where no one spoke Spanish so I didn't see the knowledge as that important, a mistake I would regret some years later.  As leaders, if we share information with our team without helping them connect the importance of it to their jobs or life in general, they will not likely learn anything.  When a leader tells a team member something without connecting it to their life, they have essentially engaged in the tried and failed method of parenting called, "Because I said so."  "Connect" is the second step of the learning process.

My lovely bride loves to watch Food Network.  She is an exceptional cook and enjoys learning new recipes and techniques.  I often watch the shows, too. I think to myself, "That would be very cool to learn how to do."  At that moment, I have completed two thirds of the learning process.  I have absorbed what the show is presenting and I have connected its value to my life.  Unfortunately, I rarely actually try to apply that information by doing it.  Without practicing the skills that I have absorbed and connected, I don't learn them.  A leader, when teaching their team, must include opportunities for them to demonstrate their abilities in a safe environment that allows for mistakes and constructive coaching.  Many training sessions include the first two steps but fail to complete the transfer of learning by allowing the participants to apply what they have just absorbed and connected.

The same approach you used to learn your alphabet, multiplication tables and read "See Spot Run;" the process of transforming information into knowledge, works for effective leadership.  Make sure you create a learning environment in which team members can absorb, connect and apply what you share.

For more information about learning, communication and leadership, check out Dave's new book The Power of Understanding People.