This week’s post was inspired by one of my recent readings, “The Diary of a CEO” by Steven Bartlett. In this book, the author distills the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey into 33 “laws”. As you may have read in the “My Library” section, I do not agree with all of his propositions. However, one of them particularly struck a chord with me: “To Master It, You Must Create an Obligation to Teach it“.
Enriching others through the transmission of knowledge, whether formal or informal, has always been a passion of mine. This blog is a manifestation of that passion. My professional journey, which includes a stint in higher education, is another.
“The art, science, or profession of teaching” is more simply known as “pedagogy”. And, if we reflect on our student experience, we cannot ignore the “artistic” component of this field. The best “teachers”, those we keep in our memories for life, seem to not only have a deep understanding of their domain but also the ability to adapt to their audience so that knowledge flows effortlessly. In the schools I have had the privilege of working for, popular teachers knew how to alternate between lectures, Socratic dialogues to lead students to discover the truth for themselves, “flipped classrooms” where students study concepts on their own and turn class into a Q&A session, and so on.
Such considerations are sadly missing from corporate discussions, even though the role of knowledge transmission seems more crucial than ever. Indeed, modern technologies have exploded the amount of information we can generate, and concurrently, the Baby Boomer wave is gradually moving toward retirement, taking its knowledge and experience with it. As I wrote two weeks ago, knowledge transfer won’t just be solved with digital tools, no matter how advanced. Real commitment from both the company and its employees is required.
On an individual level, Steven Bartlett, in his book, suggests several ways to communicate what we know clearly. All revolve around the same idea: simplification. “Being able to simplify an idea and successfully share it with others is both the path to understanding it and the proof that you do. One of the ways we mask our lack of understanding of any idea is by using more words, bigger words, and less necessary words.” Bartlett’s words echo those of Nicolas Boileau from three centuries earlier: “What one understands well, expresses itself clearly, and the words to say it come easily” (this is, by the way, the foundational quote of this blog).
For years now, before speaking, regardless of the audience’s size or its members’ importance, I’ve made it a habit to imagine explaining the topic to my late grandmother, who would bombard me with questions at every occasion. I wouldn’t want to waste such enjoyable moments by delving into overly obscure or technical matters. I have simply transferred this habit into my professional life. Thus, my routine now consists of a simple question: “Would my grandmother understand what I’m about to say?”
Conversely, one might argue that using “bullshit” in business is really just the most evident proof of a lack of understanding of the topic at hand. Tracing back, we might hypothesize several reasons: ever-shrinking time sacrificing reflection? increasingly specialized and complex topics? an increasingly obscured sense of work? Probably a combination of all these factors, among others.
This brings us to consider the company level, which undoubtedly has a role in facilitating exchanges. While no one size fits all, many tools are available. They encompass both a better understanding of the company’s overall environment (presentations, shadowing, job rotations, “career forums”…) and “soft” skills in pedagogy and communication. The recent rise in Augmented and Virtual Reality will undoubtedly further enrich this arsenal. CHROs now have the responsibility to set up these favorable contexts, and the employees, with the help of their managers, to use them.
In conclusion, the essence of pedagogy extends beyond the walls of classrooms and into every facet of our lives, especially in the corporate world. As we navigate the digital age and an era of increased specialization, where information is abundant but true understanding is scarce, the art of clear communication and knowledge transfer becomes paramount. It reminds us that genuine comprehension isn’t just about grasping concepts but also about sharing them effectively. By embracing the principles of pedagogy in our professional interactions, not only do we honor the age-old tradition of teaching and learning, but we also cultivate environments where ideas flourish and collaborations thrive.