It depends…...

As we lead into the 2018 Adult Learners Week, I've been pondering why some of us are continuously hungry for new skills and knowledge and others see training/continuous development as at best unnecessary and at worst a comment on their inadequacy.

I get both view points, as to be frank after graduating, I thought that was it...well apart from "on-the job" training which was on the whole, dull, mandatory and uninspiring. Indeed I had just turned 40 when circumstance and opportunity collided and I found myself in totally new environments, meeting people who saw things very differently from myself, working towards new qualifications and yes having fun. I call it "lighting my flame" and ever since, I have known that to stay happy, enthused, engaged and valuable to my colleagues and those who employ me, I need to hoover up all the knowledge and experience I can, or risk being a "mood hoover".

This gets even riskier when we think of the role of an experienced leader, as apparently:

"Experience and Power Hinder Self-Awareness"

Contrary to popular belief, studies have shown that people do not always learn from experience, that expertise does not help people root out false information, and that seeing ourselves as highly experienced can keep us from doing our homework, seeking disconfirming evidence, and questioning our assumptions."

Of course it's not always easy, but then as John Maxwell says:

“If we are growing we are always going to be outside our comfort zone.”

But as the CPD Standards Office tell us: "Continuing Professional Development helps individuals to regularly focus on how they can become a more competent and effective professional. Training and learning increase confidence and overall capability, and compliments career aspirations." https://www.cpdstandards.com/

So in summary, it depends.... if you want to:

• Work with like minded leaders
• Laugh while you learn
• Share your experiences and knowledge with others who are "doing it" not just talking about it!
• Achieve a recognised leadership qualification
• Plus 70 hrs accredited CPD

and Join a 1200+ strong Company of Leaders across Wales...

(This blog was originally produced on KIm's LinkedIn page).