Winning in the Workplace with I-TALENT: L is for Learning

The next T3 value we will be talking about is Learning…we could also call it SELF-DEVELOPMENT.

Learning is the process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, attitudes, and preferences (Wikipedia).

That it is a process, shows that it is not immediate. You can gain knowledge about something, but you have not learned it until you can demonstrate it.

The more you do it, the more you learn. This is why, as a professional, your proficiency level goes from BEGINNER to EXPERT as you grow in experience and are continually exposed to practicing the knowledge gained.

Learning in the Beginning

My first ever job interview took place while I was a corps member. It was for a Cabin Crew position in a start-up airline. I did not know what to expect and I think my ignorance was a bit of an asset because I did not overthink things and entertain thoughts like, “Since I didn’t study hospitality management or tourism, what do I know about what it takes to do this job?”

I was not sophisticated or eloquent. I spoke from the heart with a naïve optimism that must have appealed to my interviewers, because I got the job!

Looking back at that interview, though, I recognize what the interviewers saw that I did not back then.

·       I knew instinctively how to connect my past experiences with the competencies the role required. I recognized that my learnings did not have to be formal to be relevant.

 ·       The skills I learned outside the lecture hall like; interacting and collaborating with people, managing projects, budgeting, taking risks, and upskilling myself in areas not directly related to but were helpful in enhancing my course of study may not have taught me the technical ins and outs of how to work on an aircraft, but they showed that I was a self-starter, a willing learner and that I could get along well with different types of people.

This is very important at the entry level because, while your experience is limited, your soft or "power" skills, as they are now called, become the building blocks that will help you land your first paying job.

Some other learnings that will serve you well at this stage of your career are:

Industry Basics: Understanding the fundamentals of the industry you're entering, including key players, market trends, and basic terminology.

Company Knowledge: Familiarity with your organization's mission, values, products, and services, as well as its structure and culture.

Basic Technical Skills: Proficiency in basic technical skills relevant to your field, such as computer literacy, familiarity with industry-specific software, and basic data analysis skills.

Professional Etiquette: Understanding professional norms and etiquette, including appropriate workplace behavior, communication protocols, and dress code.

Communication: Vital at every stage of your career. At this stage, you need strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey ideas, ask questions, and interact with colleagues and clients. At mid-level, it is to articulate goals, provide feedback, and communicate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. At the highest levels, you need exceptional communication skills, including public speaking, negotiation, and effective written communication for conveying complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with others, contribute to group projects, and work towards common goals.

Time Management: Basic time management skills to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage workload effectively.

Eagerness to Learn: Curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and professional growth, coupled with a willingness to seek out new knowledge and experiences.

Resilience: It starts from displaying the ability to persevere in the face of challenges, setbacks, and failures, and maintain a positive attitude and motivation to navigating uncertainty at executive levels.

Initiative: Taking the initiative to seek out opportunities for involvement, contribute ideas, and take on additional responsibilities beyond your assigned tasks.

Learning at the Mid-Level

The interesting thing about the types of learning that serve you in the workplace is that it tends to come full circle.

As you advance in your career, figure out what you want to pursue and gain more experience in your chosen field, behavioral competencies, which were the category of competencies that served you well at the start, are what will take you further.

Your employers know you have technical expertise – you can do the work. Now, they need to know if you can do the work through people…your LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

Some of the learnings you will need at this level are:

Industry Understanding: A solid grasp of the industry in which your organization operates, including market trends, competitive landscape, and customer needs.

Financial Literacy: Understanding basic financial concepts, such as budgeting, forecasting, and financial statements, to manage departmental budgets and resources effectively.

Regulatory Compliance: Awareness of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards to ensure compliance within your area of responsibility.

Project Management: Familiarity with project management methodologies, tools, and techniques to plan, execute, and monitor initiatives effectively.

Problem-Solving: Analytical skills and critical thinking abilities to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement solutions that address operational challenges and drive continuous improvement.

Decision-Making: Sound judgment and decision-making skills to assess risks, prioritize tasks, and make informed decisions that align with organizational objectives.

Negotiation: Skill in negotiation and conflict resolution to resolve disputes, reach consensus, and advocate for departmental interests in cross-functional settings.

Adaptability: Flexibility and openness to change, with the ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities, market conditions, and organizational initiatives.

Collaboration: Willingness to collaborate with peers, cross-functional teams, and senior leadership to achieve common objectives and foster a culture of teamwork.

Empathy: Ability to understand and empathize with the perspectives and concerns of team members, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Learning at the Executive Level

Two words you would hear tossed around at this level are VISION and STRATEGY.

Here, your decision-making would not just be about making people, processes, or operations better. It would become about how to optimize all these aspects to give your organization a competitive advantage in your industry and affect the direction of the entire organization and the ecosystem it supports which includes your customers, suppliers, and even the community in which your organization is located or plays in. This could be at both the local and global levels.

In addition to ramping up your knowledge, skills, and attributes so far, you would need to include learnings like:

Business Acumen: Mastery of business principles, including finance, operations, marketing, and strategic planning.

Global Perspective: Awareness of global markets and geopolitical factors that impact business operations.

Legal and Ethical Compliance: Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards to ensure legal compliance and ethical business practices.

Strategic Networking: Ability to build and nurture strategic relationships with stakeholders, including investors, clients, partners, and industry peers.

Innovative Thinking: A culture of innovation and continuous improvement, fostering creativity, experimentation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Learnings, like diamonds, are forever. Breaking into the corporate space is just the beginning!

As long as you prioritize improving yourself as a professional and enhancing your value, you will not only succeed, but you will thrive!

Join us at our January capacity-building session as we map out your learning journey for 2024 by “Creating your 2024 Blueprint for Success: Envisioning your Goals using a Vision Board”.

To register: https://bit.ly/createblueprintforsuccess

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