Author of
The Gauntlet
Business environments are increasingly dynamic, challenging leaders to promptly solve unique, divergent problems, often under substantial pressure. Because the pace of change, and the complexity of the issues, can test their experience and expertise, many leaders strive to learn new skills or behaviors that strengthen their competencies. Learning comes from doing, from practicing.
An effective practice routine specifies a challenging goal, and identifies metrics to monitor progress; to be sustainable, it should include relevant, appropriate, and objective feedback from those who are trained to provide it, and self-reflection about how performance can be improved, both before and after a practice opportunity.
But for practice to result in learning, the practice scenarios should involve as much variability and randomness as possible to align with the leader’s ever-evolving workplace. The challenges facing leaders span a broad array of real-world circumstances, so practicing new skills or behaviors in a variety of actual situations that occur randomly enables more effective learning. As the new routines are refined and integrated through practicing, leaders strengthen their ability to adapt to the demands of their business environment, increasing the potential for performance improvement.
Answering these questions can help identify the most effective practice scenarios:
1. Why, for what purpose, are you seeking the improvement?
2. Under what conditions could practice produce the learning necessary for the improvement?
3. How would you need to practice so that your progress is evident?
What practice routines drive your learning?
