When we think about workplace learning, we often think about the workshops and formal learning experiences the company might offer. Some even consider the learning culture and those offerings when picking a company to work for. I agree with those folks who view learning and development as an important part of a desirable job, and everything else being equal, I too would pick a company with a buffet of learning options first. But formal learning opportunities aren't the only way to learn – in fact – they might not even be the best. Because as humans, one of the best, and most predictable, ways we can learn is to learn from peers.
Here are five ways to learn from peers.
Watch Them
One way to learn from anyone is to watch or observe them. Notice how they do a task, the steps they take, and the approach they use. If the task is physical in nature, notice their process and the specific ways they use their tools. If the task is intellectual or interpersonal, observe their approach and results. Treat this learning exercise as if you were watching as a video camera – stay in pure observational mode at first.
After watching, you can reflect and decide what you want to assimilate and try – and which perhaps you didn’t like or might even want to avoid. Remember that you can learn from peers regardless of their performance – deciding what you want to do, and what you might not want to do as well!
Ask Them
Asking people what they do, about their approach, or how they think about a situation is a great way to learn from peers. The asking can come after observation to better understand what you saw. Or it can simply be a way to learn from their experience and perspective. When you ask in an open and curious way, you will learn much, and likely build your relationship and trust with that person too. After all, who doesn’t want to be asked their opinion and share their experiences?
Talk With Them
If you are asking people, chances are that will turn into a conversation. While you can learn from peers in a fleeting conversation, an ongoing dialogue is a great way to extend your learning. Consider building a mutual learning agreement with someone as learning partners where you can learn from each other on an ongoing basis. This type of peer learning partnership can be one of the most powerful ways to learn and have long lasting positive impacts to your career and life.
Help Them
While the learning partnership implies this, let’s be clear. Learning from peers shouldn’t be a one-way exchange! Offer to help them with things you know more about. When asked, share your experiences and approaches too. Not only will this build the relationship and encourage them to continue to be open to you but will actually help you learn too. After all, when we teach or help someone we often learn more than they do.
Create Accountability With Them
One of the most important facets of turning learning into action is to have someone help you be accountable for those efforts. One of the most powerful ways to learn with peers is to share your goals with them and have them help you be accountable for achieving the goals. When this activity is reciprocal and runs both ways, both people improve the chances of applying what they are learning. While we can create accountability with our leader or coach, having a peer accountability partner takes the positional power out of the equation and allows internal motivation to take the lead in creating the learning and change we desire.
How Do I Start?
While an organization can support peer learning in a variety of ways and I recommend that highly, you don’t need external help to make this happen. Reach out to someone who you want to learn from, or whose approaches and personality you are drawn to. Ask them if they would be willing to help you learn and grow. (You can even share this article with them if you wish). Chances are they will be flattered and say yes.
And voila – you are on your way to learning adventure with someone else.
What If I Work Remotely?
One of the common laments about remote or hybrid work is that workplace peer learning is lost. While some side by side, serendipitous and in-the-moment learning might be harder to replicate, as you see from the advice above, most of that can be overcome.
While watching someone else might look different remotely, the nature of some work can still allow this. Consider observation in meetings or calls, screen sharing, and video of work as options. Beyond some creativity that might be required there, all the rest of these suggestions do not require you to be physically located with the person you are learning with and from.
You don’t have to wait for your organization to provide you with learning opportunities. And you don’t have to be in the next cubicle or same building as others. Learning from peers is a powerful and inexpensive way to accelerate your personal and professional development, and grow not just your competence, but your confidence too.
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