Learner v. Learned

In times of change learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exist. I heard that statement at a conference, I don’t really know who to attribute it to, but the guy who quoted it credited Pastor of Northpoint Community Church, Andy Stanley’s assistant. I was impressed, pretty astute observation for an assistant. I am thinking maybe that person will not be an assistant long. I very much took note of the quote. I have found it to be true. History is replete with examples of complacent organizations and individuals who find that the world changed around them. Poor individuals and organizations, it is either too late to adjust or too cumbersome to try.

In that statement the importance of the letters “r” and “d” are utmost. Learned types apply yesterday’s rules to today’s equations. Resulting in poor form. Now, it is important to note that yesterday’s rules will many times apply to tomorrow’s equations, resulting in a false sense of accomplishment. However, yesterday’s rules will almost never apply to next week’s equations; that is the “gottcha”. To make matters worse, by then you are a week behind.

We very easily find ourselves sitting, comfortable with our knowledge and the equations before us. We do very well in the beginning, and then we start experiencing difficultly, we let a few equations go unchecked. Then we conclude in a state of frustration where we blame the equation for being different than the one we learned.

To be the “r” is very important to personal and organization development. Learners must always be learners. We must work, we must think. We at Parkway are in a time of change, been so for quite some time. It is quite exciting in both an exhilarating and terrifying sort of way. We must accept this challenge and move forward. Learn and think to the very best of our ability.

I will leave you with a quote I find get pleasure in, comes from a quite creative piece of film making and is somewhat pertinent to the topic at hand, “Madam, we must have waffles! We must all have waffles forthwith! We must all think, and we must all have waffles, and think each and every one of us to the very best of his ability...” Granted it is a little more humorous in the context of the film, but I kept thinking about that scene while I was writing. Oh, if you have never had the occasion to watch the movie it comes from the 2004 Cohen brothers comedy “The Ladykillers”.