Photo Inquiry Friday: Self-Development, why do we hate smart people?

TeamBuilding, Leadership, Innovation Expert Michael Cardus

You hear all the time “We need motivated people who want to take advantage of the opportunities we offer them” or “Our company needs more leaders and less managers” or “I want staff to offer solutions and not bring me problems” or “What is needed here is better critical thinking.”

These are all summed up in a need for opportunities for Self-Development. The challenge is what is said, and what is thought, and what is practices and rewarded are all very different.

Self-Development is wonderful for Organizations, Teams and Leaders – Learning Agility is an indicator that potential for promotion and increased-effectiveness for the role is present. BUT, self-development that is unguided is a waste of time. Also if someone is given the opportunity and does not use it, then they most likely don’t value to opportunity, or have been punished in the past for wanting to learn.

In America we still face a prejudice against intellect and people who desire to better themselves. Many companies (and managers) view people who want to learn, read books, attend trainings, enjoy training as Nerds and think they are better than everyone else.

This may not be the explicit behavior, but it sure it implicit. It is heard in board rooms, meeting rooms and the front-lines  everywhere – it especially is still heard in classrooms!

On to the Inquiry;

How might we create an organizational culture that encourages Self-Development?

 

  • What opportunities would be offered?
  • How might the organization be improved through more people that are involved and encouraged to develop their skills and potential?
  • What would a managers role look like? What would an employees role look like?
  • If someone new came to the company how would they know, immediately that self-development is more than lip service. It really is a core value of the organization?
  • On a scale of 0 – 10 with 0-being a negative view of Self-Development, and 10-being a total immersive self-development culture; where are we today?
  • What is already happening, that keeps the scale where it is? What else? What else?
  • Why are we doing so well? Why is that working? Why does that happen? Why do we continue to do that? Why? a 5 why’s process
  • Where is the company is this already happening, even just a little bit?
  • Knowing what we know right now, what should be the next step?
  • What is the goal of increasing the opportunities and acceptance of self-development within the organization?

Team Building Leadership Innovation Michael Cardus

michael cardus is create-learning

mage by Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden

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