What Have You Learned Today?

Issue #55

I am surprised every time I meet someone who shows no interest in learning. For me, life is about learning new ideas, techniques, and information. If I lived a hundred lifetimes, I would never learn all there is to learn.

Creative leaders should develop a habit of lifelong learning. Each new piece of information we learn has the potential to connect with an old piece of information, allowing us to develop a new idea, a new way of looking at the world, or even a new invention.

My wife had to drive thirty-five miles to and from work on the Interstate. She complained regularly about how many semi-trucks were on the road. We could never figure out what caused the increase. Years later, I talked with a man who had been head of purchasing for Chrysler. He told me that the plants received two to three truckloads of material once a month, but that changed when manufacturers in the 1980s following the Japanese lead shifted to just-in-time inventory. Plants started receiving four to five shipments a day. A light bulb went off in my head and I realized why so many trucks were on the roads.

There are many ways of learning new ideas. One of my favorites is through books. Books have so much to teach us. Have you developed a habit of daily reading? How many books do you read a year? I am a slow reader and I average about 45 a year. I am always looking for the next book to read. And you should read what you like to read. I love to read novels and poetry, and I also read history, biographies, and memoirs.

Some people learn by meeting new people and learning their stories. Every person has a story to tell. I love to find people who have a story to tell about the industry they work in, the people they've met, or the places they have been. People are fascinating. Meeting people, though, is not about talking. It is about listening.

A few years ago, I met a minister who had lived for fifteen years in Japan. I learned about his life living in Japan. He shared how he had witnessed the cremation of a dead person. The Japanese custom is to wash the body and then have it cremated. The family gathers at the crematory to witness the burning of the body. Then, the family is given a portion of the ashes and bones in a small box, and the remainder is buried in the ground. I learned something new by listening and asking questions.

Another way to learn is to try new things and to go to new places. Trying something new, like water skiing or surfing, can open up new avenues of thought. However, I am not the best person to try new things. I am afraid to fail, and perfectionism raises its ugly head. So, I often avoid trying new things. On the other hand, I have traveled to many places and seen many new things that have opened my eyes.

Some people learn best by watching what is happening around them and imitating what they see. They absorb lots of information with their eyes. While I learn some information with my eyes, often, I don't pay attention to the physical world. I am too absorbed in my thinking. I admire people who see with their eyes.

Learning is a choice we all make. Some of us choose to grow and develop our abilities. Others prefer to stagnate and die. What choice have you made?

I believe that each of us is in charge of our education. We choose what we want to learn and what we don't want to learn. Even in the best schools, students fail because they don't apply themselves. And in the worst of schools, students still graduate and accomplish great things. Yes, a teacher can inspire you and mentor you, but in the end, you are responsible for your education.

And I believe learning is a life-long process. When a person stops learning, he stops living. What are you doing to further your education in your chosen field? What are you exploring outside your field of expertise? When was the last time you read a new book? Or talked to a stranger? Or attended a workshop? Or developed a new habit?

I began studying abstract drawing in 2012 by reading books. However, books can only take you so far. You need to experience and explore the subject in other ways. In 2016, I attended a three-day workshop on abstract drawing in Providence, Rhode Island. The workshop increased my understanding of the unique art form in ways I am only beginning to understand.

Creative leaders need to be constantly learning new things. What have you learned recently that you can incorporate into your life and work?

Plant seeds of hope in the hearts of others!