Some team members learn new things by studying, memorizing, and knowing the subject matter but do not internalize it as true learning. An analogy is that I know processed foods are bad for health and whole foods are a better choice, but I still eat processed foods all the time. This is knowing. Learning is internalizing how processed foods damage my gut microbiome and choosing to eat the more nutrient-dense whole foods. Learning is aligning the practice with the principle.
Knowing
aware
having the knowledge
memorizing the information
knowing mode stops us from learning; we think we already know everything about the subject
Learning
can teach a 12-year-old using your own words
walk the talk, action aligned with the learning
learning mode is constantly validating with new inputs and possibilities, ready to change if old understanding is outdated
Even though knowing something raises our awareness, I notice that everyone has a different sensitivity to perceptiveness, internal standards, and conscientiousness. So when a person sees something not right (from the knowledge, that will clearly be considered an ISSUE), the person still cannot detect the issue or does not act accordingly (like reporting the problem).
[image credit: Bing Image Creator]
Knowing the recipe for baking a carrot cake differs from learning how to bake a carrot cake. The true experience I have is when someone bakes a carrot cake and you pointed out that she forgets to put carrot as the key ingredient, she will apologize for that as a mistake. And the same error keeps repeating. She thinks she has mastered (learned) the art of baking carrot cake, but the outcomes show different results.
Self-reflection is apparently not really working; otherwise, the same problem would not be repetitive. We already learned from the Systems Thinking Iceberg model: event > pattern > structure > mental model. Repetitive events (= pattern) are a sign of an underlying structure at play that keeps producing recursive events.
then we have to consider using a system to minimize the mistake, perhaps a checklist (check-off list of ingredients based on the recipe)
I implemented the checklist system, but she prepared the checklist but did not check off the list. Perhaps this is the wrong person on the wrong seat. Her mental model may not have the right level of conscientiousness (one of the 5 personality traits in Big 5 OCEAN) required for the responsibility for this seat. A person with higher conscientiousness also has greater attention to detail, has higher internal standards, and can quickly spot issues or areas of improvement (higher issue perceptiveness)
We can reflect on the outcome and check our actions to see if we have truly mastered the principle of practice or if we are stuck in the knowing mode. Hence, constantly reviewing the outcome (creating a closed feedback loop) is a way for us to reflect on whether we know the knowledge or if we truly master the learning.
4C of Learning
This gets me thinking if there is a way to structure the learning process. I reverse engineer how I learn any new subject. It started with an awareness of an unknown topic (or object, the black box). I got curious and began seeking answers to questions. The gradual revelation usually illuminated the behaviors and connections of the parts or as a whole until I understood enough for my current application (and no need to be complete or expert) that I could start recreating the explanations in my own ways. Here are the four Cs of learning:
Compartmentalize
tackle any big complex subject (black box) by breaking it down (chunk down) into components and elements (useful tools: mind map, solution map etc.). If the black box is a single entity that cannot be broken apart, then its responses, behaviors, characteristics, etc., could become smaller elements for studying.
practice MECE (mutually exclusive and cumulatively exhaustive) to ensure we have a more holistic view of what we are facing
Clarify
shining light into the black box and its components by asking questions, seeking help from resources
research and study
crystalize by using structural thinking and frameworks
Connect
connecting the dots (the unknown compartmentalized elements)
Connecting with known knowledge and experience (this is how our brain wires to form new memory). The outcome is you can make analogies for the new subject with multiple known subjects.
Compose
the most important part of learning is to produce, to create something new with the new knowledge
we can share and teach others (using visual structural thinking)
the principle or expertise is integrated into our action (practice)
create the outcome aligned with the learning
Everyone has a different Learning Strategy (strategy is a term in Neurolinguistic Programming for the unconscious approach to executing a routine). Do share how you learn to benefit others.
Weekly Update
We are stepping into the second half of 2023, and it is also summer blockbuster time for movie buffs.
Reflecting on the last few movies and shows I watched, there is a common theme:
John Wick Chapter 4
Extraction 2
Indiana Jones (5) and the Dial of Destiny
and the next 2 on my waiting lists are Mission Impossible and Dune.
Growing up in the 1970s- 80s, my favorite movie series were Star Wars and Indiana Jones, especially the behind-the-scenes documentary about how they produced the movies.
I love Indiana Jones’ first three trilogy (Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Temple of Doom (1984), and The Last Crusade (1989)), but I'm not so fond of The Crystal Skulls (2008) and the 2023 (and the last?) The Dial of Destiny. I think a similar pattern applies to Star Wars, where the original trilogy was a masterpiece that was hard to surpass, especially by Disney twisting the movie with Micky’s touch.
It was fun to watch Harrison Ford, at age 80, making his Indy-style adventure. I am very grateful that he brought us Han Solo (in Star Wars) and Dr. Henry Jones (Indiana Jones) and that George Lucas created two of my childhood favorite movies.
Now, John Wick, Extraction, and Mission Impossible these 3 movie series have a few things in common that excite me:
Keanu Reeves, Chris Hemsworth, and Tom Cruise performed almost, if not all, of the stunts in these movies solely using CGI effects. Seeing the amount of preparation and dedication put into making those stunts is inspiring.
The cinematography and stage design are epic in these 3 movies, so enjoyable that the ticket is worthwhile. I am often amazed at how that shot was even possible.
Each movie series successfully created a make-believe universe for the role and code of conduct, and the fans understood and adored the roles when they obeyed the hidden principles.
These are not perfect movies in every aspect, like screenplay and storyline, but they have very clear target audiences to please and stay faithful to their core ‘style’.
I skipped elaborating on a few other movies that I watched:
Kandahar is okay to watch 6/10; it has a storyline similar to The Covenant. The movie covers Iran and Pakistan; it reminded me of many of the friendly people I met. Do not believe what you see through Hollywood’s tinted lens.
Fubar - it was a fun comedy cum action series that suits Arnold Schwarzenegger as a TV drama series for his age (75). I would rate it 6/10; watchable when I am on a treadmill. I am not an Arnold fan but respect his determination and agility in reinventing himself.
Fast and Furious 10 (Part 1) - it is alright (still more watchable than the Transformer series). It is forgettable the moment you finish the show. I wonder when the cars will start racing on the moon. 5/10
[image credit: Bing Image Creator]
Hypnotic - it is alright; I prefer The Accountant by Ben Affleck (7/10). Hypnotic is living under Inception's shadow, which is a different storytelling category. 5/10
I can see a lot of similarities between product making and movie production; it takes many elements for the final output to work. I respect the original intention behind the movie and admire the art and science behind the production that produces different box office results. It is intriguing and exciting.
Thanks for sharing, Tennyson. I have a few more movies now to add to my watchlist.
Have you watched 'Across the Spiderverse'? From a design perspective, it was a mindblowing study on how different design styles can be intentionally merged together to create a cohesive piece.