Does Everyone Want to "Learn and Grow?"

#34, January 6, 2009

The second need identified in the Passion Pyramid that must be met for employees to be passionate about what they do is the need to learn and grow. This need is the one I am most frequently challenged on. Countless managers have told me: "I have a number of employees who aren't interested in learning anything. They just want to keep doing things the same way forever!"

We have all worked with people like that I'm sure, and with the person who thinks they know it all; that they have nothing to learn. But my question is: What is the natural state for a human being-to need to learn and grow, or not?"

Have you ever heard of a baby that did not have a compelling need to get up and walk? Have you heard of a child that was not curious to explore and discover new things? Learning and growing as a person is as natural as breathing. So why do people switch off from learning and appear to have no interest?

It Starts With a Lack of Respect.

When people don't feel respected, they switch off. When children in a classroom feel disrespected by the teacher (these kids are a pain!), they don't want to learn from that teacher. When employees feel their opinions don't matter, and when they believe they have no say in how to improve performance, they also switch off from wanting to learn - particularly from the manager who is disrespectful, or whom they don't trust.

Some key steps that can ignite the desire to learn are:

  1. When a problem arises, get team members involved in the problem-solving process. Have them do the research to determine causes and possible solutions.
  2. Every day, look for opportunities to "catch people doing things right", and give them positive feedback.
  3. At your regular team meetings, allow time for discussion about "how we can improve things around here" This is best done in small groups (two or three) where people can be more open with each other.
Igniting the desire to learn in people not only improves their productivity, it unleashes creativity and takes them one step closer to being a passionate employee.

How passionate are you about your work and your organization? Click here to take the two-minute Passion Index™ survey and find out!

Keep reading our Weekly Leadership Tips for ways you can create a work environment where all team members are engaged, committed to your organization, and passionate about doing a great job every time.

Learn how to light a fire within your employees, not under them! Click here to purchase a copy of Keith's book, Engagement Is Not Enough - You Need Passionate Employees to Achieve Your Dream.

Share these ideas with others. They may request their own free subscription by going to our contact form and clicking on Weekly Leadership Tips.

© 2007 Keith Ayers. All rights reserved.

Click here to read our eMail Archive

Click here to learn more about Executive Coaching.

Click here to learn more about our Senior Team Alignment Process™.

Click here to learn more about our Leadership Development Process™.