Why “Learning Agility” Key to Success & Competency
Beware ! because our self satisfaction lead to laziness.
Taha Hussein
To succeed in our volatile, complex, ambiguous business world, there is no choice but to master the ability to adapt and learn. (Cashman, K - Forbes Magazine) as a consequence for those changes learning agility concept began to emerge to cope with those changes. In most businesses, this skills is considered one of the most important factors in great leadership. To be effective, leaders must demonstrate the flexibility and agility to adapt their behaviors as situations change.
What it is?
(Michael M. Lombardo, Robert W. Eichinger).
Simply its mean: a competency or capability which describes a person's speed to learn.
According to this view, high learning agile individuals learn the “right lessons” from experience and apply those lessons to novel situations. People who are highly learning agile continuously seek out new challenges, actively seek feedback from others to grow and develop, tend to self-reflect, and evaluate their experiences and draw practical conclusions.
“Michael Lombardo and Robert Eichinger” published an article entitled, “High Potentials as High Learners.” It highlighted the concept of learning agility, and presented their findings on the relationship between learning agility and leadership potential. The authors theorized that potential cannot be fully detected from what an individual already demonstrates on the job. Rather, it requires the individual do something new or different. In their view, potential involves learning new skills to perform in novel, and, very often, first-time situations.The practical implication is that organizations should assess learning agility to identify individuals who have the potential required for future positions.
5 factors for learning agility “Korn Ferry”
Mental Agility
Describes people who think through problems from a fresh point of view; are comfortable with complexity, ambiguity and explaining their thinking to others; penetrate complex problems and expanding possibilities by making fresh connections.
People Agility
Describes people who know themselves well, learn from experience, treat others constructively, are cool and resilient under the pressures of change; harness and multiply collective performance.
Change Agility
Describes people who are curious, have a passion for ideas, like to experiment with test cases, and engage in skill building activities; effectively with the discomfort of change
Results Agility
Describes people who get results under tough conditions, inspires others to perform beyond normal, and exhibit the sort of presence that builds confidence in others.
Self-Awareness
The ability to recognize one’s own moods and emotions; to understand the impact they have on others around them; reflective and know themselves well; understand their capabilities to realistically self-assess.
Key Characteristics of Highly Agile Learners
According to a recent white paper titled Learning about Learning Agility from the Columbia University’s Teachers College, people who are learning agile usually exhibit the following six characteristics:
remain calm in the face of difficulty.
take time to reflect on their experiences.
purposefully put themselves in challenging situations.
open to learning.
resist the temptation to become defensive in the face of adversity.
I can’t stress enough that Learning Agility is what we call “the magic multiplier” of potential because it doesn’t predict who is a high potential by itself.
There are plenty of people who are learning agile, but are not motivated and driven to get to the top of the organization. They are not willing to make the sacrifices and trade-offs needed to the get to the top. On the other hand, there are plenty of smart and motivated individuals who do not learn from their experiences and stumble and fall when faced with a new and challenging assignment.
Finally ask yourself
How can I apply what I have learned about myself ?
Are there patterns in what I fail to learn?
What impact does Learning Agility have on how I work?
What are my career aspirations that require more Learning Agility and in what areas?
If I want to enhance my Learning Agility, what should be different?
about the Author:
Islam Helmy, 13 years Hr training & Development Manager Arab Academy for science, technology and maritime transport and CoFounder @Trainingbakers.
References:
Lombardo, M. M. & Eichinger, R. W. (2000). High potentials as high leaders. Human Resource Management
Kenneth P. De Meuse, Guangrong Dai, and George S. Hallenbeck
David Weller Posted on July 9, 2013
