Being a Learner and Mentor, tough but not tougher

An essential step to become a great leader/educator/mentor is to be a great learner. Only a true learner can open the minds of the receivers in a way they are able to take in most effectively. In the position you are in, you are
looked upon for guidance and inspiration at every stage. Even without your awareness, you are a role model for many. Hence, responsibility on you is high to live up to their expectations and guide them (through word and deed) such that the vision and values
of your Institution are upheld and evolved over time.

Often there is a tendency among people in influential / decision-making positions to get into a comfort zone as decisions often stop with them. Not having a higher authority to question or monitor in fact adds to your responsibility
to be very appropriate and sensitive to the stand that you take. Only a lifelong learner is in a position to analyse each of his actions/decisions and evolve them by learning from them. A learning leader is able to influence his team and institution in a much
more matured and positive way.

Though you may not be involved in directly imparting education to the youngsters, your learning style and thinking is reflected in the culture of the organization. The practices followed and the systems developed by the Institution
under your guidance, reflect the maturity of your thought. As a mentor and coach, you have large expectations from your teachers and students. And the first step to mentoring is the ability to demonstrate that which you want to achieve for your Institution.
Hence building a learning organization where the true purpose of education is fulfilled starts from understanding your own learning orientation.

Explore and Reflect

Ask yourself the following questions with your present context in mind in order to judge your understanding of learning.

What does the word ‘LEARNING’ means to you?

When do you say that ‘LEARNING’ has happened?

How do you measure the ‘LEARNABILITY’ (ability to learn) of a person? What are the parameters you keep in mind?

Why is it important for a good LEADER to be a good LEARNER too?

Where all does one, learn from?

What according to you are the visible traits of a…

• ‘Good learner’
• ‘Poor learner’

What are some of the essential traits you expect to see in your teachers, staff and students to become good learners.

These questions will help you a lot to understand yourself, which ultimately will open new ways to better yourself.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=3389

Posted by Waqas Munir on Nov 13 2011. Filed under Editorial, Education, Opinion, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry