Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Need For Speed? Learning And Leadership Grapple With Big Workplace Changes

Some articles are making the case for expedited learning, especially as workplace cultures evolve. The learning experience is largely served by technology. The influence of digital resources, as evidenced by actual use, can no longer be discounted as a valuable learning tool.

Image source:Virgin.com



They also pose a problem. There is constant worry that the speed of information production far outpaces the speed of learning. Consequently, new training methods are focusing on improving learning skills to favor speed.

Quick studies are some of the most prized candidates in starting and mid-level positions nowadays. But it’s not just the non-executives who are welcoming a revolving door of innovations both in corporate culture and operations. CEOs, business consultants, real estate developers, and ultimately, the fearless investors lose sleep over the overnight sensations. New workplace philosophies. The next big technology to bank on. The next investor who knows and sees the light. The next fund source.

The so-called “speed of search” almost guarantees that the largely millennial workforce will adjust to the pace accordingly. More sober trainers and teachers, on the other hand, maintain a healthy skepticism and will not budge from the idea of learning as a process. As implied, a process takes time and patience. And it plays out in environments where adaptation is necessary. Adaptation, meanwhile, takes time to prove itself.

Image source:information-age.com


So, there are probably two sides to the need for speed. On the one hand, companies have to absorb innovations favorable to their operations. Leadership will have to deploy appropriate manpower for this. Organic employees, on the other hand, will be forced to vary either their skills or knack for improvisation.

Emile Haddad is a Seattle, Washington-based business coach who has taught many employees about the different skills they need to achieve professional success. These skills include handling information wisely, managing emotions sensibly, and making decisions rationally. For similar articles, read this blog.