As some of you may know, I retired from being a school
superintendent this past summer. It was a great career and I will cherish
forever. However, too many people keep asking me, “So, what are you going to do
now?” I have no answer. I will be spending much time with my bride of 40 years,
Victoria and will be teaching a couple of graduate level courses for Buena
Vista University this winter in Des Moines.
Victoria’s uncle Terry asked me the
same thing the last time I saw him and he told me to blog more. He’s read this
blog before but I have been lax in getting anything written for some time.
I have been intrigued by the book I am currently reading,
“Hacking Leadership” by Mike Myatt. I’m still very interested in leadership and
all that it entails. Both of our children hold leadership positions in the
current careers and I imagine they always will. One section of the book talks
about the difference between training and development. Here is a listing that
Mr. Myatt created to point out the main differences between training and
development.
- · Training blends to a norm – Development occurs beyond the norm.
- · Training focuses on technique/content/curriculum – Development focuses on people.
- · Training tests patience – Development tests courage.
- · Training focuses on the present – Development focuses on the future.
- · Training adheres to standards – Development focuses on maximizing potential.
- · Training is transactional – Development is transformational.
- · Training focuses on maintenance – Development focuses on growth.
- · Training focuses on the role – Development focuses on the person.
- · Training indoctrinates – Development educates.
- · Training maintains the status quo – Development catalyzes innovation.
- · Training stifles culture – Development enriches culture.
- · Training encourages compliance – Development emphasizes performance.
- · Training focuses on efficiency – Development focuses on effectiveness.
- · Training focuses on problems – Development focuses on solutions.
- · Training focuses on reporting lines – Development expands influence.
- · Training places people in a box – Development frees them from the box.
- · Training is mechanical – Development is intellectual.
- · Training focuses on the known – Development explores the unknown.
- · Training places people in a comfort zone – Development moves people beyond their comfort zone.
- · Training if finite – Development is infinite.
As an educator, we've all had good training's, bad training's,
good professional development and bad professional development. As you reflect
back on these training's and professional developments, what made them good and
what made them bad? Can you spot things on this list that resonates with you?
We must never stop growing and developing, whether it is professionally or
personally.
Onward…
