Why Real-Time Learning is the Most Valuable Learning

You’re Excited. It’s Not Enough.

When was the last time you were genuinely excited about something — and then never actually did anything with it?

June 30, I led a webinar titled How AI Makes the Best Leaders More Human (Not Less). Watch it here. The virtual room was filled with nearly 200 Learning and Development professionals, and I opened with this poll question: How do you feel about AI?

Here are the responses:

I have grave concerns about it: 6%
I’m concerned about how I and our organization will use it: 13%
I really need to learn more about: 17%
I’m excited about the possibilities: 51%
I think this will change everything – and more than not, for the better: 12%

While there is plenty I could write about using these results, my prevailing thought is encapsulated in my opening question.

When was the last time you were genuinely excited about something — and then never actually did anything with it?

Because there is a gap between being excited about something and doing something lasting and meaningful with that excitement.

Need examples?

• Hobbies started that the tools and supplies for end up on a yard sales table.

• The exercise equipment in the basement that now has clothes hung on it.

I know that in this case, people are playing with, trying and even adopting some AI tools and processes. But my cautionary examples may still ring true.

In the lively chat during the webinar, I saw hints of excitement with no action.

Worries about uncertainty.

Concerns about the time it takes to learn.

Plenty of excitement, not all yet followed by action.

And if our learning professionals aren’t all out front in learning these tools, there is a double concern organizationally, isn’t there?

If you feel excited about AI (or anything else), translate that emotional energy into action. Do something now, even if it is small.

Try something.
Experiment.
Even start reading more about AI tools in your LinkedIn feed, because the algorithm will start serving you more of that.

Don’t wait for the four-hour window, because that might not come.

Excitement is great fuel, but that potential needs to be transferred into action. Because excitement, as powerful as it is, isn’t enough to guarantee success.

Why Real-Time Learning is the Most Valuable Learning

I’ve asked hundreds of people to tell me the first thing that comes to their mind when I say the word learning. Over half reply with the word “school” or a closely related idea. This is an understandable result, unfortunate, but understandable.

Why do I call it unfortunate?