Learning to Learn Again

A Model for Helping People Develop Competency and Character

Remember learning a new skill as a kid? I still remember the anticipation that preceded learning to ride a bike – the older kids laughing and smiling as they zoomed around our neighborhood on their bikes made me long to do the same. 

The struggle and joy of learning something new

I began by trying to teach myself. Only after several failed attempts, I finally asked for help. Even with a skilled bike rider helping me, the process of learning still wasn’t always easy. There were more failed attempts and painful crashes. Thankfully, I was carried through by the vision of achieving a new skill and the encouragement of the person helping me. 

In college, I was taught the formal learning process for what I experienced in learning to ride a bike.

I began identifying ways that this applied to me in my current leadership roles. It helped me think through the various stages of learning and what approach was needed at each point in the process.  I soon discovered there was much more to learning than hearing a new skill explained and enduring the failed attempts. There were things that helped and hindered the learning process.

The power of a great coach in the learning process

One of the greatest supports was having someone who not only knew a skill but could coach and encourage me in learning the skill at each stage of development.  Their patience and support (regardless of how I performed) was pivotal to my maturation as a leader. The really good teachers also helped me see who I am in the process, which greatly impacted what I was able to do. 

There were also numerous hindrances to the learning process. At first, I held back from sharing my struggle with the person coaching me. At times I wasn’t sure I had what it took – or that overcoming the challenge was worth the effort. So instead of doing the hard work involved in learning, I focused on other tasks with which I was more proficient. But when I eventually - and honestly - shared with the person helping me, we had pivotal conversations that led to the breakthrough growth I longed to experience. 

Learning is a journey - who’s walking with you?

Look again at the learning process diagram. Notice how the process is dependent on someone interacting with you through the process. Who are those people in your life? Who are the people you are coming alongside in their process of learning? What is helping or hindering growth?

Here at Mirador Leaders, we believe that you and the process of learning are worth it!

We are a team of trusted advisors committed to helping you and others around you thrive. If you are leading a nonprofit or small to medium business and looking for someone to come alongside you in a growth opportunity that you are facing, give us a call.