Did you take part in the High Performance Learner Challenge over the past 7 weeks? What difference did it make to your performance in the short-term? As we draw a close to the High Performance Learner series, you may want to read the full paper about the research, so click here. If you missed any of
For leaders
High Performance Learner Characteristic 7: Active soliciting of input and feedback
What will you do differently this week to be proactive about seeking regular detailed feedback from multiple sources, and then act upon it? What will you do to proactively give regular feedback? Our research says: A key point from our research is that top performers are more proactive about seeking regular input. They are more
High Performance Learner Characteristic 6: Active collaboration
What will you do differently this week to network and join forces to solve your and others’ problems? Our research says: Top performers are great collaborators and networkers; they know how to reach out for information across the organization and how to contribute their experiences to the greater knowledge base of the company. Top performers are
High Performance Learner Characteristic 5: Linking learning and practical experience
What will you do differently this week to stretch yourself with new roles or responsibilities – practical experiences that will speed your development? Our research says: Top performers are looking to stretch themselves with new roles and responsibilities—practical experiences that will, by nature of the work, increase their learning and speed their development. As one
High Performance Learner Characteristic 4: Agile alignment
What will you do differently this week to align your learning to changing priorities? Our research says: Top performers do not see their skills as something to be developed and then used in a static way on different projects (the proverbial hammer in search of a nail). Instead, they see themselves as having a broad
High Performance Learner Characteristic 3: Autonomous performance
What will you do differently this week to take responsibility for managing your time, completing your work and planning your learning experiences? Our research says: A key characteristic of top performers is a high degree of autonomy in managing their time, completing their work and planning their learning experiences. We asked both the top performers
What are you contributing to your people?
We did some research recently, which showed us that our people prefer to talk to their friends and peers about their career, rather than speaking with their manager. Given that this should be a role that our managers fulfilled, we wanted to understand what stopped people from talking with them. What do you think stops
High Performance Learner Characteristic 2: Self-directed development
What will you do differently this week to be intentional when planning the learning opportunities required to get to where you want to be? Our research says: Top performers are more likely to take an intentional, self-directed approach to planning the learning opportunities required to get to the top. About 80 percent of such performers
High Performance Learner Characteristic 1: Future Orientation
Recent Accenture research shows that we can all improve our performance if we do certain things differently. The research says: Top performers excel at keeping one eye on their current tasks and the other eye on the future. For example, in looking for a new assignment, 47 percent of top performers seek more responsibility and
Coaching vs Instruction
If you are a fan of telling people what to do, you might not realise the power of coaching – that is ASKING them what they should do. I just watched a great video from John Whitmore about the difference between coaching and instruction – or asking vs telling. It really brings to life how a
The dog and the shadow
Aesop writes: It happened that a Dog had got a piece of meat and was carrying it home in his mouth to eat it in peace. Now on his way home he had to cross a plank lying across a running brook. As he crossed, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected
The Bat, the Birds and the Beasts
You know, when I looked at a website of all the Aesop’s Fables, I was amazed at how many there are. And there are so many that I never heard in my childhood – like this one today. I don’t know whether you’ll keep commenting on them if I post all of them, but for now,
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Here’s our next Aesop’s Fable for you to consider, as it relates to our work as supervisors: A Wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing to the vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs. But one day it found the skin of a sheep that had been flayed and thrown aside, so
The Tortoise and the Hare
Here’s another Aesop’s Fable that might give us some pointers about leadership and managing the work of others. Take a read, and then post your comment about what this means for you. The Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. “I have never yet been beaten,” said he, “when I put
Golden Goose Slayers
Do you remember from your child-hood the story of the goose and the golden egg? A man buys a goose that lays golden eggs, and he makes lots of money, selling those golden eggs. Until one day he decides that the goose isn’t laying fast enough, and he decides to get all of the eggs out of
Tales from the battlefield – Managing Time
Today’s guest post comes from Glory Enyinnaya, who is based in Lagos. ‘’ One always has time enough, if one will apply it well’’ – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe If time flies, then your job as the pilot is to take control of it and steer it in the direction you want to go. These
