“It’s not the strongest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change”, says one of the most one of the most misattributed quotes in business. Whoever gave birth to this interpretation of Charles Darwin’s work on evolutionary biology, it remains good advice for companies to live by in today’s rapidly evolving world. To be adaptable requires an organization to empower its people to constantly acquire new knowledge and encourage experimentation to adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges. Learning is at the heart of innovation. As a wise mentor of mine expressed it best: the fastest learner wins.
Learning starts with curiosity and confidence. Young children have an abundance of both. Unfortunately, this changes when children get older. This is especially apparent with young girls, who, as they grow up, often lose confidence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To meet future talent needs many companies like General Motors and P&G recognize that they have a role to play in growing interest and confidence for young women to pursue a STEM career. Through hands-on programs and mentorships they help raise confidence in young women to follow their curiosity and passion for a rewarding career.
Events like the annual CES tech extravaganza are great opportunities to catch up and learn about the state of an industry. But it is also overwhelming and easy to get lost in the avalanche of information. John Battelle scoured the news to give us the highlights that matter from this year’s CES. While AI was pervasive throughout the event other important topics also caught his attention.
One strategy to be a fast learner is to build a network of people who share interests and experiences. Signal Innovator Adam Graham is part of a network inside P&G that is actively pursuing how GenAI can be used for productivity and growth. By sharing his experiences, Adam has become a teacher to many, but also a student of those he connects with. What you get out of learning networks is equal to what you put in.
The best opportunities to learn are often found by expanding your horizon beyond what is familiar. One way is to explore topics and industries that are not a direct part of your areas of expertise. Seek out people who have interesting and inspiring stories that you can learn from. At Signal 2024 Tim Ellis, CMO of the National Football League, inspired participants with his story of expanding the NFL audience by changing perceptions of what the NFL has to offer. In this month’s Signal conversation, Deborah Conrad, founding partner of Mixtape Partners, shares her insights and advice on implementing change learned from an illustrious career that spanned technology, healthcare and other industries.
We hope that Signal360 provides some extra speed for your learning engine. Until next month!
Stan Joosten & John Battelle,
Editors-In-Chief, Signal360 / Co-founders, Signal P&G
