In my previous article, I discussed the value of continuous learning. The next natural step in overall development is to share the learning. What exactly do I mean by share the learning you ask?
The answer would normally depend on the profession one is in, but rather than skirt around the issue I will try to explain from the perspective of a Business Analyst.
Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality - Dalai Lama
One of the easiest ways to keep learning, is to be a part of a Community of Practice / Centre of Excellence / Meetup. These are forums where people interested in a topic come together to discuss challenges, learnings and ideas about improving the profession. If you are unsure where to find one of these forums, try one (or all) of the following ideas:
Look within your organisation for an existing forum that may interest you. Attend a session and let your brain be a sponge. After your first session, give back to the community as well.
If nothing exists within your organisation, don’t hold back. Set one up. Choose a topic that would have a reasonable level of interest in the organisation and start a shared community of individuals. If you are unsure how to get conversation started, you can try a lean coffee or why not put yourself out there and present an interesting topic!
Look for meetups in your city / suburb and attend a meetup that interests you. There are many ways you can look for meetups: meetup.com, Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, etc.
Setting up a community within the organisation has a number of benefits and would be the one that I would recommend to get started with. It allows you to start off small with a group of peers that would create a “safe space” for you to try something new and practice. The massive benefit for the organisation is that it fosters an environment of shared learning within it’s structure. This would enhance motivation and the organisation would need to spend less on formal training programs. Definitely a win-win situation for individuals and the organisation!
Be the change you want to see in the World - Mahatma Gandhi
No matter what your motivation, remember to keep learning (and in this case, sharing).
A personal note: Sharing the learning has been important in my life in two ways. I always try to learn from others - no matter what their position in the organisation. I also try to share whatever I know within the organisation by mentoring and coaching others. I once shared my experience of how I influence and negotiate within the organisation and how it helped me build my brand.
