Robby Slaughter

Chances are that when you were a kid, you learned to ride a bike. It wasn’t easy, but after some time and perhaps a few scrapes and bruises you eventually figured it out. So why, as adults, do we expect to master complex business processes and systems quickly and without bumps along the way?

In fact, it may be instructive to talk about all of the ways you cannot learn to ride a bike. For example:

You can’t learn to ride a bike in 10 minutes. You probably spent weeks as a child before you were able to pedal down the street, and months before you felt confident on any kind of terrain. Real learning of difficult skills takes time and devotion!

You can’t do it using a written instruction manual. All of us learned to ride a bike under the tutelage of other expert riders. Learning requires adapting to different learning styles and the freedom to make mistakes. It’s nearly impossible to grasp what it’s like to keep your balance on two wheels by reading about it in a book.

You can’t do it if someone is yelling at you! Real learning requires concentration or empowerment, not intimidation or bribery. A good teacher encourages their students, but does not offer undue pressure or special dispensation.

You probably can’t do it without training wheels. The best learning involves approximations, models and safe environments. We learn about almost everything by starting out with situations that would never come up in real life. Math textbooks always begin with problems that come out to nice round numbers. Children’s books always use simple words with straightforward spelling. We practice using practice tools so that one day we can be ready for the actual system.

You can’t do it on an adult bike - You didn’t start on a 10-speed or a mountain bike. The first machines you use have been especially built for the learner, not the master.

You won’t begin by competing. We never learn how to ride a bike while starting a race! In fact, we rarely learn in groups, but instead as individuals at our own pace.

With all of these lessons in mind, it should be no surprise that it takes time to become productive with complex systems at work. We should expect mastery to come only through practice and support. Help your employees become more effective at work by giving them the chance to learn rather than the expectation that they will instantly succeed. Contact Slaughter Development today.

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