On a very recent trip to provide training to a missionary team in Europe, I ran into, once again, the “ I know what is needed” scenario. The team leader didn’t want to come to the training because he had arrived at the ‘knowledge’ point and nothing more was required. It reminded me of the former leaders of the US Patent Office in the 19th century, who had said to the government that they needed to close the patent office since everything that could be invented had now been invented. This has to go down as one of the most ridiculous statements ever made by a public servant especially since in the last 100 years the world has seen more change than in the past 10,000 years.

 

Leaders are often stressed to the point that learning may bring about additional stress and additional workload so some leaders are afraid to learn….so they don’t learn.

Some leaders fear that if they learn anything new it is possible that the new discoveries will be beyond them and so it seems better to avoid learning…..so they don’t learn.

Some leaders feel that they are so gifted and capable that they should teach and not learn. They have arrived and their pride stops them pursuing learning…..so they don’t learn.

Some leaders feel that all that they need will come directly from God in their devotional life…..and so they limit learning.

All this to say that without learning we will go on using the wisdom, or lack of, and effectively go around in circles. As Jesus interacted with the disciples it was obvious that life-long learning was the desired motif.

 

Reflect on these thoughts and ask yourself where you are in your life with regard to learning and perhaps even list some of the steps you have taken or will take to enhance your personal growth! Map your learning….you may be surprised……….!