Ops Insights #022 Continuous Learning
September 14, 2023 | Read Time: 3 minutes | Written by Jenny Kleintop
A question I like to ask when I’m interviewing someone is “What was the last thing you learned and why did you need to learn it?” I like to see how they answer as continuous learning is part of the process of growing, evolving, and expanding one’s knowledge.
Continuous learning, also referred to as lifelong learning, is the ability to develop, build, and grow your skills on an ongoing basis. There is no way we can know everything already, especially as the data and tech landscape evolves and changes. Look at the cell phone you rely so heavily on… what version number are you on?
It’s a practice you can build as a habit and it will support your growth as you continue to evolve in your role. Let’s go through some examples.
Industry Best Practices
The philanthropy landscape changes, many times slower than the for-profit space, but it still changes. New gadgets, new technology, new programs, new strategies, new ways to do things, and on and on. We want to stay in the loop about what is new or changed in the industry.
For example, is if you use Facebook fundraising tools, did you know there is a change coming up? Beginning on October 31st, they will partner exclusively with PayPal Giving Fund, which means you need to accept their updated terms. Here is their help center article for more details on this topic.
Another example, if you use CASE for reporting standards, did you know there is a new book on global reporting standards? You can read more on their site.
The best way to stay in the loop on best practices in the industry is to ensure you or a team member participates in a community such as aasp, apra, or afp, to name a few. There are plenty out there, ask around and find one that works for you.
Learn with Accountability Partners
Sometimes it helps to have an accountability partner, someone who will go with you, side by side, and learn with you. I did this yesterday. Back in February, I did research and took steps to do a LinkedIn Live as I really wanted to learn how to do one and try it out. I stopped after I got to setting up the streaming part and didn’t follow through.
Then through a community, I met Stacie and during a coffee/tea virtual meet-up, we said we should do a LinkedIn Live together. We termed it “Accountability Partners,” which was a little cheesy, but fun at the same time. Within 3 weeks we went live. If I did not have Stacie and Stacie did not have me to hold each other accountable, we would not have done it.
We pushed each other through the uncomfortable and unknown, learned together, and just went for it. We were not 100% sure when we clicked go-live that anything would happen, but it did. Check it out here.
Here we are two minutes before pressing Go Live
Take Action
A key statement to look out for is when you either say or hear “We’ve always done it this way?” If you have, it’s time to embrace continuous learning.
Here are three ways you can open yourself up to continuous learning:
Find yourself a community: We are for Good is one to try out.
Listen to podcasts. We are for Good has a podcast with lots of good content. There are plenty of others, ask some peers if they listen to any.
Find yourself an accountability partner:
What is one thing you have wanted to learn but have pushed off?
Who can you partner with as an accountability partner?
Reach out to that person and set up a time to chat.
Ask if they are interested in learning with you and if it’s a yes, put the wheels in motion. If it’s a no, go find someone else.
Find ways to incorporate learning into your common practice.
Your turn, go learn and do amazing things. You’ve got this!
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