The Reluctant Learner

I recently reluctant attended a conference at a busy time when I did not want to be there, but needed to be there to see some new speakers in action – part of my research as a consultant broker. 

i.e. I was not in a good learning space.

My cynicism was fanned by the first speaker who applied the usual evangelical formula: 

“I was once a loser (just like you probably are now), but now I am rich and famous.  You can be just like me if you buy my course and products to learn the secrets of my success.”

I closed down further and started planning my next week in my faithful Franklin Covey diary – er, “Planner”, they hate the “D” word.  But then the speaker told a simple story that crashed right through my wall of indifference.  It was about a dog sleeping peacefully, except for the occasional whimper.  When the owner was asked why the dog was whimpering, he replied that it was sleeping on a nail.  “So why does it not move?” asked the observer.  “It does not hurt enough – yet”.

 This resonated strongly with me because I have been carrying an increasingly painful knee injury for 4 months.  The specialist had referred me for a simple ultrasound managed procedure back in August.  I know this is a male thing, but I had amassed a string of excuses why I was too busy/important to attend the procedure.  Despite not being able to bend my knee enough to tie my laces, I had put up with the gradually escalating problem.  I identified strongly with that dog on the nail and there and then decided to move.  I had a cortisone injection last week and my knee is a whole better this week.  I have even arranged an appointment to identify the original cause of the problem.

In addition, I have told the story to a number of people and now in our office we call each other on why we are not attending to “nails” in our lives.

 Some Learning

 1.     Help Others Apply what they Already Know

People normally know what to do to improve their lives, they are normally reluctant to make changes because the familiar is comforting, even if it hurts. 

We know the hacking cough in the morning is due to the smoking and we need to stop.

We know the breathlessness is caused by eating too much of the wrong things and not exercising.

We know we are unhappy in a job, but can’t be bothered to look for something more suitable.

But most us have areas where we simply will not act to make life better.

 As leaders, speakers, coaches and trainers we can all respectfully invite others to consider the benefits of putting into action what they already know and thus be more successful and happy. It is amazing how a comment can be the tipping point that finally jolts the person into doing something to improve their lives.  I get mildly embarrassed when people thank me for something I said or did years ago that helped them.  (Normally I have no idea what I had said.)  But they were ready, so it just took a spark to ignite the fire.

One that worked for me was when I had just left university.  A stranger I met congratulated me and said, “You will do well in life if you bring the best out in people”.  This trueism has been incredibly helpful for me and others – bet he does not remember saying this to the long-haired new graduate.

 2.     A Wide Range of Learning Process Work

In relation to my slightly unkind reference to “Evangelical speakers”:  Most learning processes have merit.  I guess as a consultant broker one’s prejudices and preferences are broken down because one sees them all working in the appropriate context.  I am mildly surprised by my current enthusiasm for eLearning because I come from the very old T Group school, where the focus was bruisingly on the intra-personal. But when I see the saving clients are making with eLearning, I am excited.

One may also want to mix processes as they do at CGU to increase the chances of reaching a wider range of people.  So, no more teasing of motivational speakers.

 3.     Why Motivational Speaking Works

•        It is entertaining
•        Stories with meaning are memorable
•        Emotion captures an audience
•        Participation creates buy in, “Hand up all those who……”
•        A few strong messages are more likely to be acted on
•        Humour is engaging
•        Music enriches the experience
•        A few classy and artistic Power Points add colour and meaning – especially on a Mac
•        There is something inspiring hearing how someone has struggled and then succeeded
•        Most are generous and genuinely want to share something they consider a gift
•        They are evangelical – in the best senses of the word

 From a broker or conference organiser’s view, they are effective in reaching a large number of people in a short amount of time.  And the ROI is high because the fee is covered by a large number of participants.  They are also great at drawing a crowd for special events.