Learning agility is the skill of learning from experiences so you can succeed in new situations. Agile learners approach uncertainty and change with confidence and competence, so it is a crucial skill for leaders and employees.
Harvard Business Review recommends developing competency in the following areas to become a more agile learner.
- Your ability to navigate newness. Ask yourself: How often do I work on something for the first time? When have I stepped outside my comfort zone during the past three months? How do I respond when priorities and plans change without warning? Look for safe ways to practice approaching new situations.
- Your ability to understand others. Ask yourself: How confident am I in challenging conversations when people have different points of view? Does my career community include people who bring different experiences and perspectives? Practice listening more than you talk, and seek out contexts in which you are not an expert but an observer.
- Self-awareness. Ask yourself: How do I feel about asking for help and feedback? What is my effect on the team? Ask for input from trusted colleagues and see whether their perceptions match yours. When you identify gaps between your intentions and the effects of your actions, it can help you be specific about what you need to learn and improve.
