Training for Greatness
This quote got me thinking, “We don't rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.” Often attributed to Archilochus, it is a powerful reminder that our ability to perform is not solely dependent on our aspirations, but also on the work we put in to prepare ourselves.
The most straightforward way to interpret it is for athletes (don't hope to win but prepare) but I wonder if the same is true for organizations. Leaders across companies have goals and ambitions that they want to achieve. However, simply having high expectations is not enough. It is through consistent training and development that we can build the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve those goals.
“Learning and development have become part of both employees’ desires for growth and opportunity in their work and careers and the need for companies to continually improve and expand the skills and experiences of their workforces” - Jeff Schwartz, Gloat
Technology is constantly advancing, and companies must be able to adapt quickly to stay ahead of the curve. This means investing in ongoing training for employees to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate these changes. The challenge can be ensuring those training offerings stay relevant and with market trends and Gartner research shows that many companies struggle here with less than half (45%) of employees feeling the learning their organization provides is relevant to them.
Learning & Development is a growth area for many companies
Furthermore, companies must also prioritize BUILDING solutions with emerging technologies. This is where knowledge workers are similar to athletes -- a golfer can't shoot par at Pebble Beach simply read books or watching YouTube videos from Rick Shiels. You have to play and you have to build.
Once you've learned what CAN be done with generative AI or your EmTech of choice, you can start to work backward and define which processes can be tweaked or eliminated. Remember, it's less about whether your initial ideas turn into real solutions and more about building an innovative mindset that connects the dots between possibility and performance.
Whether it's through formal education, on-the-job training, or personal development, continuous learning is essential to our success. By investing in our training, we can ensure that we have the tools and abilities to rise to our expectations and overcome the challenges that we will inevitably face.
