SeyiOlagunju

NEUTRAL: To learn something new means to see or understand or know something in a way different from what has been known before. If you are told what you already know the way you know it, you probably would not see or learn anything new, but if you are told something you have heard before in a different way and manner, there is a tendency to learn something new. It is important for every learner or intending learner to set his/her mind to a neutral state so that what is coming in will be seen in a different light from what has already been known. I attended a seminar some years ago with the topic around Information Technology and benefits. I wondered what they could possibly be talking about that was new to me since that happened to be my field and I believed I was up to date. Throughout the seminar I did not see or learn any new thing but, sometime later, I stumbled over the notes and soft materials from the seminar and sat down with a fresh mind to read through and low ...

RESPONSE/RESPONDING: Every living thing responds to stimulus. This stimulus could be internal or external. This response could be based on a stimulus that touches the body or the mind. How will a teacher or trainer know if a student or learner has learnt something new? From his/her response. For every action there is a reaction that is equal and opposite. This may vary from entity to entity though. Every action is a reaction to an action or actions; internal or external, which is equal and opposite to the causative action. A response is a reply or an action done in reaction to something. A response usually shows the content or make-up of the mind or the structure of the receiving person or entity. A response is an indicator that something has been received. A person shows that S/He has received or learned something by the nature and type of response given. The nature of the response indicates: The internal (Emotional, Mental and Psychological) and external (Physical, Social) sta...

ADAPTING: Species that are able to adapt to changes in their environment are at a greater advantage in the quest for survival in an environment where resources and survival elements are limited. The ability of an animal to adapt and adjust to changes in its natural habitat will see it rise above its contemporaries or peers. The surviving animal then becomes a leader in its pack; top of its order or class. Adapting is a learning process that needs and takes resources from the adapting entity (Person, Animal or thing). If these needed resources for adapting are not enough, the adapting entity may not cross the threshold of survival. This means that the entity in question may not be able to stay above the waters dues to the lack of needed resources that can take it above “the storm”. The threshold may vary from entity to entity, but the parameters and tools necessary are very similar. Adaptation is an Active—Process in Learning that requires: Physical, Mental, Social, Psychologica...

ENTHUSIASM: According to Ralph Waldo Emerson , “ Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm ”. The enthusiasm showed by a person towards an activity, event, happening, or phenomenon will play a strong part in determining the learnability of such person. Enthusiasm can be described as eagerness, a deep intense zeal or passion focused on pursuing a specific or spontaneous set of goals, involving some level of intense emotionalism, absorbing or controlling interest. A leader who is not enthusiastic about learning about a people or environment will find it difficult to lead such a people. Enthusiasm activates or enhances the absorption or assimilation levels of a person for learning. Taking a cue from Ralph Waldo Emerson we can conclusively say that “Nothing new is learned without a degree of enthusiasm. Learning a new thing is a great achievement, and discovering a new thing does not happen without enthusiasm.  Finally from Deji Akinyanju (Owner of Chicken Repu...

In a bid to LEARN, the leaders must cultivate a number of Active-Processes. A.    LISTENING: This is the first process and activity in learning. It is said that every good conversation starts with good listening, and every good relationship starts with good listening. In the words of the International On-Air Personality; Larry King – “ I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening ”. Listening is both a conscious and sub-conscious activity involving the eyes, the ears, the nose, hands, the tongue and the mind. Can the eyes, the nose, the hands or the tongue or the mind be used for listening? Yes. Listening is basically the Active-Process of ‘Paying attention to’ whatever is being assimilated. The eyes are used to listen to visual statements and these statements range from graphical statements, pictorial statements, gestures and signs, drawings, writings and inscriptions. With the e...

LEARNABILITY IN LEADERSHIP (Part B) A leader or an aspiring leader who does not see learning as paramount and a priority is bound to fail. In the words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy popularly known as JFK , – “ Leadership and Learning are indispensable to each other ” – he harps on the connection between leadership and learning. Every leader must learn about: Ø Him/Herself: Strengths, weaknesses, areas that need little improvements, areas that need great improvements, abilities, as well as no-go areas etc. Ø Environments (Micro and Macro): Immediate environments and extended environments as well as the terrain in which he/she will be leading in. Ø The People: The type of people, behavior, culture, lifestyle, strengths of the people, their weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and more. Ø Operational System(s): The type of systems and structures already in use and every possible detail about them and how best to come in. All these are necessary so that the lead...