8/14/2008 - Strategic Life-Long Learning

By Faye Dresner

I recently enrolled in an MBA program and feel as if I’ve traveled to a foreign country. The language (who talks about “value propositions” in the nonprofit world?), the goals (we rarely mention “return on investment”), and the perspective (we don’t answer to shareholders although our board members definitely hold us accountable) are all radically different than what I’m used to. And, it’s all part of my quest to be a life-long learner. I’ve been in the nonprofit sector for over two decades, and am constantly looking for ways to improve my skills and expand my mind. Several months ago, I made the decision that a business degree would greatly enhance my consulting skills. So I closed my eyes, held my breath, and took the dive!

My first day of orientation, I knew it would be both challenging and exhilarating when I realized I was the only student from the nonprofit sector. Deep into financial accounting, global management, and strategic business communications, I am beginning to grasp just how mind-expanding this experience is going to be. Already, I am looking at old issues in new ways. In my daily work, it seems like I’m wearing a different set of glasses and new perspectives on current problems pop up unexpectedly. It’s as if a new (formerly dormant) part of my brain has been activated. My fellow students are all fascinating sources of information, much of which is completely new to me. I’m certain my brain capacity has doubled already in just the few weeks I’ve been immersed in this experience!

Some of you may be thinking, “She must be crazy! I don’t have the time, money, energy (fill in the blank) to go back to school.” And yes, I am still working as a consultant and going to school nights and weekends. But you don’t have to enroll in a full time program to reap the benefits of learning and see the results in your current job. Peter Senge wrote, in his book The Fifth Discipline,

“Real learning gets to the heart of what it means to be human. Through learning we re-create ourselves. Through learning we become able to do something we never were able to do. Though learning we reperceive the world and our relationship to it. Through learning we extend our capacity to create, to be part of the generative process of life. There is within each of us a deep hunger for this type of learning.”

And there are many ways to satisfy that deep hunger Peter Senge describes. And get great results from doing so. Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you’re stuck on a problem, are convinced you’ve thought of all possible solutions, and then you ask someone else for their thoughts and get a completely new solution which never occurred to you? Learning can enhance your ability to see things from a new vantage point, expand your capacity to produce the results you want, and give you renewed enthusiasm for the work you do.

You don’t have to go back to school to get an MBA or any other degree for that matter to reap the benefits of learning. There are infinite ways to expand your knowledge and experience. Take a seminar, workshop or other short term learning experience which are plentiful and accessible. Volunteer at an organization that does work you’ve never done before in a sector in which you’ve never worked. I often do volunteer consulting work when business is slow both to build my skills and expose myself to new environments. Find a continuing education program at a local university or community college. Whatever you choose, commit to being a life long learner in some way and you will not only enhance your value as an employee, but also bring a new level of richness and value to your personal life as well.

Faye Dresner

Faye Dresner is the founder of Dresner Consulting, LLC which she started to help tap the power of nonprofits and philanthropists to affect change. For over two decades, Faye has served in director-level positions with a variety of nonprofits which has taught her that when a person finds work that is personally fulfilling and life enhancing, both employer and employee benefit.

http://www.dresnerconsulting.com
fdresner@dresnerconsulting.com