Leading with Character and Competence

CHAPTER 5The First Cornerstone of Competence: Learning

In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)Author and moral and social philosopherReflections on the Human Condition (1973)

The Most Important Thing You Can Learn

The first cornerstone of competence is learning. On one occasion I had the opportunity to advise leaders at a technology company. On one visit to the company, I struck up a conversation with a gentleman and learned that he trained people in cell phone forensics. I asked him how often he had to update his teaching curriculum to stay current with technology. Answer: every two months. Can you imagine ...