Learning Collaboratively Increases Your Knowledge Base Exponentially

Written by: Jodi Flynn

Published: April 2015

I’ve been facilitating different programs and workshops at Priority Learning for over a year now, and participating for many more. I love the variety of people who come through the doors. There is never a dull moment and there is plenty of food to go around. I make it a point to get in extra workouts and eat lightly the days before and after spending the day at Priority Learning, but I digress.

One thing I appreciated as a participant is that I would be in a room with people who came from different industries, different job functions, and different levels of leadership. A couple of things stood out for me as I’ve had a chance to synthesize the many experiences I have had.

1. We are all just human beings trying to do our best for ourselves, our families and our organizations.

If you’ve been in a series at Priority Learning you know that by Day 3, at the latest, you’ve got some personal knowledge of everyone in the room because the level of trust has shot way up and people are being honest about the challenges they are currently facing, the progress they have made before and during the series, and the goals they have for themselves at work and in life.

This level of sharing bridges gaps between the levels of leadership and those that are just starting out realize they have what it takes to lead further up; they only need the time to develop and express their innate abilities.

2. One’s level of success is more dependent on the relationships one has with their “team” than on any personal contribution.

There is an African proverb that reads, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Because of the level of sharing that goes on in the series, as mentioned above, I walked out the door each day with my mind swimming with new knowledge and understanding of people and organizations. I was privy to the collective life-long learning of the entire group and all I had to do was ask.

On the day I was in the series, that group was my team. I then applied this understanding to any situation in which I was with a group I considered my team. This extended out to my networking group, the peer group of coaches I collaborate with, and my family, to name a few.

However, the benefit to your organization is that, while at Priority Learning, the focus is on your work development and your contribution to your organization. All other application are pure bonus. And what a bonus it is.

3. More learning occurs in the breakout groups than by covering concepts

I’m a facilitator and my ego does not get hurt by this one bit. It’s actually reassuring that I can’t flub it up. It doesn’t matter how spectacular my presentation on leading up, down and across is. The group is going to gain a better understanding of the concept and how to use it when they are talking it through amongst themselves and sharing stories.

That’s part of what it missing when you only do in-house training. The participant lose the opportunity to talk through their understanding and their personal situation with another person who has an objective point of view.

Conversely they miss the opportunity to discover their classmate in a similar position at another company has the same challenges as they and may have already discovered a fantastic solution that could be implemented at their own organization. Cross-pollination doesn’t only strengthen the ecosystem, it strengthens organizations as well.

In Summation…

It’s no secret I’m a fan of the work that is being done at Priority Learning. Through my own experience, and the testimony of those whom I have had the honor to work with, I know there is something magical that happens when a variety of people come together to learn and stretch and achieve great things together.

Jodi Flynn

Jodi Flynn of Luma Coaching coaches entrepreneurs and small business owners around their mindset for success. She helps them to identify the default tendencies that are getting in the way of growing their business and/or their enjoyment of their business.
Luma Coaching