Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

After being asked the same question for years, perhaps I have found the answer to, “What is it that you do?”

I have spoken to many job recruiters. I have spoken to many persons in job interviews. Some of these persons ask a variation of the question:

What is it that you do?

The title of this post is the answer. I’ll call it Learnering.

This is some combination of writing, talking, asking, listening, simulating, problem solving, etc. I create opportunities for others and myself to learn. As a result, people around me generally become smarter and better.

Notice, this is not teaching where I sit people and tell them, “Listen to me. I am going to teach you something.” This is creating opportunities to learn. The other person may learn, but may not learn. And, I may learn, but may not learn. Nevertheless, the opportunity is there.

I think this is what project managers and others in supervisory positions should be doing. Provide an environment where people learn and grow and change in positive directions.