Synthesis of readings

I feel that one of the best ways for people to learn is to test it out. With some challenges in the economy we have had to become creative with our resources. There were some hesitations to new assignments and others have accepted their additional roles to change the environment around them and take on additional responsibilities. This empowerment to fulfill additional roles has shown an increase in our productivity, my development and knowledge and the experience of the team.

Lindemen lists attributes about adult education. I feel are related to our experience at work.
1.Life is an educational experience—Our lives changed with the economy and has brought additional opportunities for all employees to perform and continue to move our business forward.
2.The purpose of adult education is to “put meaning into the whole of life.”
3.Build around the needs of the students – Everyone in our work environement has a plan for their development in the workplace. Additional responsibilities have accelerated the development of participating individuals and as part of “living the experience” has enhanced our critical thinking about the current proceedures.
4.Highest value of adult education is the learner’s experience—Though forced into the opportunities each participant has been able to make the most of the experience through their questions and goals in these new roles.

I am often concerned about the development of employees and asking timely questions or testing something they thing may be a good practice. I often respond, “test it out and see… if it doesn’t work then we’ll evaluate it, make a few changes and try it again. If it doesn’t work after that, let’s try something else.” Palmer, in the preface of To Know as We Are Known, discusses the importance of the path we chose to our learning and if we follow the paths of integrity it “will take us to a place of knowledge.” One interpretation of this is all things that are good may be educational. I feel this is an important role for people in any situation. As we see additional opportunities to enhance a process, the good, and we test for outcomes we will come to a conclusion that will determine if our changes enhanced the process. Whether or not the process improved you’ve still enhanced your knowledge and may improve upon the results.

Palmer briefly discusses other chapters of the book and states “Good teachers also bring students into community with themselves and with each other—not simply for the sake of warm feelings.” I have learned the most by bringing those most impacted by leadership decisions to the table to make the decisions with leadership. Focus groups with new hires, brain storming sessions with those engaged in the process and seeking solutions with experienced leaders. Involving different groups in the process allows for their development and invites improvements and suggestions from the bottom up, rather than the top down. Most recently relying on everyone during a weak economy I’ve seen an improvement on our learning as a team by brining students into a community of learning, testing, practicing and reevaluating improvements.

The Tao Te Ching puts it simply.
“Some say that my teaching is nonsense.
Others call it lofty but impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
This nonsense makes perfect sense.
And to those who put it into practice,
This loftiness has roots that go deep.

I hope those I teach or those that seek opportunities look deep inside their work/life to find the true issues, cause, meaning and changes that need to happen in their lives.