I was always pessimistic when asked this question. Surely this is mainly a process of pulling up by the hair? And reserved at most for about 15 per cent of the workforce?
But there is hope.
Yet first, back to seniority. What is that again? Seniority is the final stage of one's learning curve that ends in wisdom, curiosity and knowledge sharing. As contradictory as this may seem, but at the end of 'man's learning curve, one does not look for the geraniums, but ensures that the organisation continues to be supplied with fresh new ideas in his or her field.
Seniors keep having fun learning!
But then the question: can you encourage seniority? By default, I would then give the example of 10 employees who go on a course together to gain knowledge for a senior-level position, and all 10 succeed, but it later turns out that only five can actually apply that knowledge. However, to the why of this glaring observation, I always had to remain unanswered.
Until now, then.
"We don't dare to make mistakes anymore," science journalist Mark Mieras indicates in an interview when asked about the reason why people stop learning.
"In the pursuit of efficiency, we have become so riddled with rules that we have become uncomfortable in new, unexpected situations. And that is downright killing our creativity!"
Mieras backs up his statements with the results of brain research. Unfamiliar situations stimulate learning centres in the brain. Without those stimuli, vitality decreases and we start reacting anxiously when exceptions occur.
Efficiency decreases effectiveness in organisations, is Mark Mieras' thesis. We have everything so wrapped up in rules that there is nothing left to discover. Indeed: that it is forbidden to us!
And we can do something about that.
"It is the mindset that has to change to stay vital," Mieras says decidedly. "A mindset that says, 'I don't know the answer right now, but that's okay.' There's nothing wrong with that. But I am enormously curious about the solution. Then that solution will come naturally.'"
But perhaps an even more fundamental approach is desirable: give employees back their freedom.
Fewer rules on quality and safety, fewer procedures on how work should be done. More autonomy that encourages daring, alertness and discovery. Then that seniority will come naturally.
Not because I can, but because I have to. Or should I just turn that around?
Work them, Rolf Baarda