In a world that is constantly changing, we continue to face new challenges. As a result of this, lifelong learning seems to be the key to personal and professional success. As children, we intuitively knew how to learn things. We followed our curiosity and enjoyed learning. We acquired knowledge as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
But what about learning as adults? We often think of learning as traditional education, but there are countless ways to continue to evolve outside the classroom. Reading books, having inspiring conversations, travelling to new places so that you can experience new cultures, pursuing creative hobbies such as cooking or music, or participating in interesting courses and training programmes or attending interesting lectures: the possibilities are endless!
The workplace can also be a fruitful learning environment. It is here that we take steps towards professional development, driven by curiosity. We acquire new skills, face challenges and learn to act more and more efficiently. And that’s not all. While we are working, we also inadvertently learn things from our colleagues. When this happens, there is no clear, deliberately created learning setting and we don’t have a well-defined learning objective. It happens because you are playing a role, because you are part of a team, and because you hear what others are talking about and you know what the unspoken rules are.
During this learning process, motivation plays a crucial role, as the driving force that makes us want to discover new things, face challenges and push our limits. But not everyone experiences the stimulation of motivation in the same way; some people are intrinsically motivated to learn, while others are hesitant about it. When we understand the art of motivation and we are able to apply it, a whole world of opportunities also opens up in the workplace; this world is full of incentives for staff members to learn and to continue to evolve.
The organisation can inspire staff members to learn and evolve by actually providing scope for this purpose. Create a learning-oriented environment and initiate a discussion about it by examining the work environment. How has the work been organised? What is the team focusing on; development or production? Is curiosity being rewarded? Is there an awareness of unconscious learning processes? Is there scope for joint reflection? And what is the perception of safety?
By paying explicit attention to these questions, your work will not only become a place to work, but it will also provide the perfect place for personal and professional growth. It is here that we will all be able to experience the wonders of lifelong learning. So, embrace your curiosity and ignite your motivational flame. Don’t learn things because you have to, but because you’ve been given the opportunity to do so. Make your work work as a place of learning!
If you are interested in obtaining more tools for workplace learning and you would like more insights into this topic, Radboud Academy will be holding their two-day Wonders of Lifelong Learning Masterclass on 17 November and 1 December; during this seminar, Lia Fluit will also be providing additional information on learning in the workplace. Register before 3 November.
