#1 - Learning U.S. Marine Corps
In this first edition, discovery how the U.S Marine approach the learning process. Some of them are pretty
Learning, in a general sense, is a topic that has interested me even more in recent years, and whenever possible I seek to understand a little more about it. I recently finished reading a short book Learning U.S. Marine Corps, which describes how the Navy organization addresses the topic of learning.
Here are some ideas that I believe are valuable:
leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
Leaders at all levels are responsible for their own learning while supporting their subordinates’ development.
Former Secretary of Defense and retired General James Mattis, when asked about the biggest problem with senior leadership, said that “. . . it’s a lack of reflection. . . Solitude allows you to reflect while others are reacting . . . We need solitude to refocus on prospective decision-making, rather than just reacting to problems as they arise. You have some external stimulus, then you go back to your experience, your education, and you see what needs to be done.”
Learning encompasses both training and education, which are equally important and complementary. A simple explanation of the differences between training and education is that training prepares Marines to deal with the known factors of war (e.g., the importance of good marksmanship), while education prepares Marines to deal with the unknown factors (e.g., effective decision-making in changing circumstances).
Leaders at all levels are charged with creating an environment where continuous learning becomes the standard. Leaders serve as positive examples of a disciplined approach to learning
Commanders will appropriately prioritize learning opportunities so that Marines of all ranks engage in meaningful professional development and progress in the profession of arms. Leaders of Marines must dedicate time and effort to learning, and prioritize mental fitness as much as physical fitness.
As part of the learning experience, leaders must foster an environment that appropriately tolerates mistakes, errors, and challenges to existing ideas.
Challenging ideas respectfully and constructively contributes to improved learning for both subordinates and leaders.
We earn the trust of others by demonstrating competence, a sense of responsibility, loyalty, and self-discipline.
Marines increase their learning readiness by having the courage, perseverance, and discipline to continuously seek new professional knowledge, skills, and experiences and cultivate a bias for action without waiting to be told what to do.
Principles of Learning
Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
Be ready and willing to learn.
Understand why you are learning.
Give and receive constructive feedback.
Learning is the goal of developing professional competence.
What do you think about it? I enjoyed this reading; it was brief yet very inspiring to start the year motivated, as the text says:
“It is necessary for us to learn from others’ mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself.”
—Hyman Rickover
If you've read the full article, feel free to share your thoughts on it. See you in the next 'Motivating Readers' session.
Thanks to share these ideias. I think the principle "Understand why you are learning." is one of more overlooked in the tech area. To keep motivated it is important to understand the benefits of the effort to learn something and avoid to just learn what is in the hype.