I love this blog post by George Ambler of "The Practice of Leadership" weblog. The importance of learning can never be underestimated for without learning you cannot continue development, betterment, or challenge either as a group or individual.
George Ambler reflects on the importance of having a learning attitude after reading the book “Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 7 Powerful Tools for Life and Work
Especially effective is a tool George identifies as an important concept from the book--the distinction that the author makes between the mindset of a judger and the mindset of a learner.
Mindsets
| Judger | Learner |
| Judgemental (of self and/or others) | Accepting (of self and others) |
| Reactive and automatic | Responsive and thoughtful |
| Know-it-already | Values not knowing |
| Inflexible and rigid | Flexible and adaptive |
| Either/or thinking | Both/and thinking |
| Self righteous | Inquisitive |
| Afraid of difference | Values difference |
| Personal perspective only | Considers perspective of others |
| Defends assumptions | Questions assumptions |
| Possibilities see as limited | Possibilities seen as unlimited |
| Primary mood: protective | Primary mood: curious |
Read the entire blog for more insights from George Ambler
Our practice, which you can get for free at ThankingCustomers.com, encourages "reflection" which is synonymous with questions, asking, thought, mindfulness, as well as a basis for learning. Thus reflection is also critical to build engagement! How?
Engagement requires involvement with heart and mind. For a person to get involved (skills match challenges) with their heart and mind, daily activities must provide the feedback in addition to feedback from colleagues and supervisors. A person must first be reflective in order to receive feedback from the activity itself! As this occurs their heart and mind will be involved and engagement follows.
Only an engaged associate can engage a customer! And only a customer can continue to re-engage an associate! This creates a cycle of engagement which retains both customers and associates to the group.
You can see engagement by the demonstration of three behaviors--intentions, attention, and reflection. A smile is almost always an indicator of engagement, although, not everyone that smiles is engaged.
George, what a powerful post.
I wish I had this in front of me today as I addressed a large group of educators. It is critical that remind ourselves, that adopting a learning attitude is a choice.
I am excited to share this!
Posted by: Angela Maiers | December 13, 2007 at 08:31 PM