I was at a great half day seminar recently – inspiring information and great actions to take away.
The day started really well when I noticed on the agenda 30 minute small group discussions had been scheduled for recall, take out value and how to implement.
The speaker finished. The recall session began and we went around the table with each of us confirming what we had learnt (repeat ‘learnt’, not what we were going to do). And then the co-ordinater said “And you are going to take action aren’t you?”. To which we all dutifully nodded and mumbled agreement and then the session wrapped up early! The speaker finished. The recall session began and we went around the table with each of us confirming what we had learnt (repeat ‘learnt’, not what we were going to do). And then the co-ordinater said “And you are going to take action aren’t you?”. To which we all dutifully nodded and mumbled agreement and then the session wrapped up early!
So what happened…
The first step in emergency DIY learning transfer is don’t go back to your desk.
Stop and reflect on the learning before you do anything else.
How frustrating! All the elements were there – the intention, the time
for follow through and the great content – but the execution, the transfer of learning was simply not up to scratch. No Turning Learning into Action (TLA) at all.
I had really enjoyed the day. So rather than sulk about how disappointing the TLA section was, I decided to follow my own advice and put the emergency “WWW DIY TLA” plan into action.
Step 1: The first step in emergency DIY learning transfer is don’t go back to your desk. Instead, go to a coffee shop, the park, the boardroom (if you are already in the office), anywhere but your desk, your computer and your to-do list. Stop and reflect on the learning before you do anything else.
Step 2: Use the 3 Ws (what, where and when) to reflect on the learning. Make a clear decision about what you are going to do to implement the learning and then decide when and where you are going to do it.
Here are some examples of why this part of the process is so important. In their book The Power of Full Engagement, Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz describe a study in which a group of women agreed to do a breast self-exam during a period of 30 days. 100% of those who said where and when they were going to do it completed the exam. Only 53% of the others did.
In another study, drug addicts in withdrawal (can you find a more stressed-out population?) agreed to write an essay before 5 p.m. on a certain day. 80% of those who said when and where they would write the essay completed it. None of the others did.
Give yourself the best chance of follow-through by deciding what, when and where you will implement the learning, before going back to your desk. The three Ws are the best DIY recipe there is.