Active Leaning

from Able Leader, February 2006

by Steve Kaye

Adult learning demands a different approach from both the instructor and the student. Here's how to be an outstanding student in your next learning experience.

1) Make the instructor (or speaker) work for you.

• Know what you want.
Before the workshop, jot down a list of your learning goals. Guide your thoughts by asking, What do I want to learn from this? How can this program help me? What would leave me feeling that my time was well spent?

Such a list will give you a map that helps you seek out ideas that fill immediate needs.

• Ask for what you want.
As the program unfolds, ask questions that guide the presentation toward the information that you need. If appropriate, meet with the speaker during breaks to suggest topic areas that you want to cover.

2) Put yourself to work.

• Argue for your success.
Greet new ideas as possibilities. If they seem unworkable, seek ways to modify them so that you can use them. Or find parts of them that you can use.

In any case, avoid talking yourself out of applying new ideas. Instead, ask yourself, "How can I use this?"

• Get involved in the program.
Take an active role in the program. Volunteer for role playing or other activities. Pay attention. Take notes. Answer the speaker's questions. Offer constructive comments.

In general, work hard to learn as much as possible.

3) Make it easy for yourself

• Choose a good location.
Sit close to the front. This lets you see and hear better. Avoid seats where a post or other obstacle blocks your view. If the venue features round tables, choose a seat facing the speaker. (Note to planners: If you must use round tables, have them set as half rounds facing the speaker.)

• Sit next to other people.
This makes it easier to work with others on projects and exchange ideas. (Note to planners: arrange the seating so that everyone sits next to someone else. Avoid an aisle in front of the speaker. Avoid having too many seats so that people scatter themselves throughout the room.)

• Care for yourself.
Keep your body comfortable so that your mind can focus on the learning. Take a brisk walk (or climb stairs) during breaks because this increases your heart rate, which pumps fresh blood through your brain.

Avoid filling up on donuts or energy sapping food. Instead drink juice and eat fruit. Or, drink coffee or tea. Absolutely avoid alcoholic beverages during or before a learning event (which includes social dinner meetings).

• Ask for a break every hour.
Give your comfort a high priority. Otherwise, discomfort will compete with paying attention to the presentation.

4) Show up.

• Arrive early.
This gives you time to find a good seat and settle in. It also gives you a chance to talk with other participants and (perhaps) meet with the speaker.

• Ask for training programs.

• Sign up for educational events.
Learning is the key to success. It helps you work smarter. (Note to planners: The Fortune Best 100 Companies to Work For offer an average of 57 hours of training for each employee. These companies, as a group, also outperform the S&P by a wide margin.)

5) Help the speaker

• Offer direction.
Tell the speaker what you want to accomplish before the event. If possible, call the speaker to talk about your expectations.

• Show interest.
Make eye contact. Pay attention. Ask questions, offer comments, and participate in the projects. All of this encourages the speaker to do a better job.

• Add value.
Make sure that your comments and questions contribute to the program for everyone.

• Be brief.
Keep your remarks as brief as possible. Both the speaker and other participants will appreciate this.

• Be grateful.
Write a note or stay to express your appreciation. Also thank the people who organized the event in your company.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
714-528-1300