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Realization & Discovery is the new Learning & Development
Posted on
02 Aug 2013
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2980
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So what’s really in the name, you might ask, that makes Realization & Discovery the
new Learning & Development.
Let’s first understand are they different and if so, what makes them different in the
first place.
Can you think of a time when you learnt something new?
I can. My first time at a wine tasting event helped me to contrast better between dry
and wet wines; between fruity and sweet wines, etc etc. So how did that help me?
Sure it made me appreciate wine a bit more than otherwise and I was incrementally
(and initially) more knowledgeable about wines in the process. But I would term
that learning as a passive experience since it was not an event that I attended to
learn about wine tasting. It was part of our intern associates event and I figured it
would help me to network with colleagues in the organization.
Now, can you think of a time when you had a Realization or a Discovery?
This one’s a bit harder to wrap your head around (possibly). Still, I got one in mind
and it’s related to alcohol so that we can draw an “apples to apples” comparison.
I was recently at a dinner with some friends at a newly opened bar in Bombay; only
this bar specialized (and had a reputation) in Rum based cocktails. Now I wouldn’t
classify myself as a Rum person (and for that matter anything more than a social
drinker). But somehow, the cocktails at this place had a certain punch that made me
realize my liking for Rum as a base for cocktails. So how did that help me?
Well, trying out the cocktails triggered me to want to learn more about Rum and
how to make good cocktails at home. And so began my journey of understanding
Rum – the etymology, the classifications, different names or variations of rum,
premium Rum and yes, the recipe for some of the world’s most well known Rum
based cocktails.
Let’s pause and contrast for a second.
Now you might turn around and say maybe I also had a realization that I wasn’t
that much into Wines as I was into Rum. True, so I did have a realization even at the
Wine tasting event. But considering the realization with Rum cocktails triggered me
to act, I would term it as an Active learning experience. Maybe the momentum in
me to want to learn about Rum would die out and not make me a Rum connoisseur;
but even then, I would have been proactive in seeking out information and be more
open (and keen) to learn about Rum as a result of this realization.
So in contrast, at the Wine event, I learnt something about Wines, but then I
honestly forgot. Why, well because I realized I just wasn’t that much into knowing
about Wines.
But at a bar, where you might think I would remember the experience based on the
conversations I had with friends, I actually Realized a previously ‘hidden’ aspect
about me – my interest in Rum based cocktails. This realization triggered a journey
to learn about Rum which although limited, I have a far deeper recollection of than
the Wine tasting experience.
So coming back to the original point, I would term Realization & Discovery as a
trigger to a more active learning process. Learning & Development on the other
hand, appears more passive – based on what you are receiving, but not ‘actively’
looking out for. To reverse that thought, you cannot ‘actively’ look out for a
learning experience until you know why you specifically want to know something.
Realization & Discovery addresses that ‘Why’.
Hence, R&D can provide meaning to your Learning and Development. In the
workplace, R&D can add more meaning to your role and in your interaction with
your colleagues, with your customers.
Your instances of Realization & Discovery (and believe us when we say they are
many) are what would trigger the most powerful learning experiences for you.
Learning & Development without R&D is nothing more than a glorified training
workshop without any personal meaning for you as to why you should attend it.
So can you think of a recent Realization & Discovery at the workplace?