To become a high achiever, it is important to break down the components of achievement into practicable elements. Deliberate practice is a focused and purposeful training approach that involves deconstructing complex skills into smaller components. By repeatedly practicing these components with targeted efforts to improve specific areas, they can be integrated into larger skills, ultimately driving innovation and strategy within an organisation.
The Importance of Deliberate Practice
Improving in any endeavour requires practice. While we may be adept at conveying information quickly, skills that require instruction and fuel innovation demand practice. According to Charles Duhigg’s explanation in his book “The Power of Habit,” practice helps us create neural pathways and turn behaviours into habits. It’s a scientific process.
Deliberate Practice also plays a crucial role in refining and enhancing our skills, ultimately leading us towards mastery. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to incorporate regular and intentional practice into learning strategies. By consistently engaging in deliberate practice sessions where participants actively work on improving specific aspects of their skill sets while incorporating feedback and reflection, they will be able to continuously fine-tune their abilities. This focused approach allows for significant growth and development over time, pushing them closer to becoming experts in their chosen field.
Incorporating Deliberate Practice into Learning Strategies
Let’s explore some effective ways to integrate deliberate practice into a learning strategy.
Reflection and Iteration
Whether this is incorporated into your personal learning strategy or as part of your organisational strategies, learners should dedicate five to ten minutes each day to reflect on the tasks practiced and introduce iterations in the next practice or learning session. Participants should be encouraged to practice outside of formal learning events, fostering accountability and facilitating the transfer of learning into real-world work environments.
Feedback
To foster open and honest communication, it helps to provide participants with trusted mentors or coaches who can offer constructive feedback. These mentors or coaches should be experienced in the relevant field and be able to guide individuals on their development journey. Embracing a process-oriented approach is also crucial in this context. This means that individuals should intentionally reflect on the feedback they receive from their mentors or coaches, considering how they can improve based on this input. By combining these elements—trusted guidance and intentional reflection—participants have an opportunity for continuous growth and improvement.
Experiential Learning
Within learning events, it is crucial to provide ample opportunities for participants to engage in skill practice. This can involve various activities such as using software applications, offering performance feedback, or managing projects. Allowing individuals to repeatedly practice these skills has been shown to be highly effective and efficient in terms of time. To further enhance the learning experience, consider creating realistic environments where participants are assigned the same partners or groups for additional practice sessions. These sessions should then be followed by reporting on their progress and observations made during the exercises.
Virtual Reality
Tap into the power of interactive video to showcase ideal behaviours and provide participants with an authentic assessment and coaching environment. With interactive video, you can bring the desired behaviours to life in a dynamic and engaging way. Interactive video creates a safe space for learners to practice and refine their skills, ensuring they can apply their knowledge confidently in real-world situations. It’s a game-changer for enhancing learning outcomes and creating an engaging learning environment.
However, while Virtual Reality has enormous potential, it’s important to recognise that the widespread adoption of VR technology faces several challenges. One significant obstacle is the disparity in access and associated costs. Currently, not everyone can afford or easily access VR due to factors such as limited availability, high prices, and a lack of basic education in certain regions.
Given these limitations, it would be wise to explore more accessible alternatives at this point. By prioritising solutions that are readily available and affordable to a wider audience, we can ensure inclusive learning experiences without excluding those who do not have easy access to VR technology.
It’s important to note that as technological advancements continue and accessibility improves over time, the feasibility of implementing VR may increase significantly. However, until then, promoting alternative methods ensures equitable opportunities for all learners.
Continuous Professional Development
Continuous learning is crucial for staying relevant and achieving ongoing success in your field. When it comes to taking charge of your own professional development, by attending conferences, reading industry publications and peer-reviewed papers, participating in webinars, and listening to relevant podcasts, you can broaden your knowledge, enhance your skills, and stay updated on industry trends. Conferences offer networking opportunities and exposure to emerging practices, while publications and papers provide access to cutting-edge research and best practices. Webinars offer convenient access to expert-led sessions, and podcasts provide engaging insights and discussions. Engaging in these activities demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and ensures you remain adaptable and competitive in an ever-changing professional landscape.
From an organisational point of view, encouraging continuous professional development brings many organisational benefits. Ongoing learning equips employees with the latest skills and knowledge, making them better equipped to tackle challenges and drive success. It also boosts expertise and capabilities, building a versatile workforce ready to adapt to changing demands.
Cultivating a Culture of Learning
Every organisation inherently fosters a culture of learning since humans are wired to learn. The real question lies in whether you are empowering a positive culture of learning that enhances your organisation’s success. By embracing deliberate practice, encouraging reflection, providing feedback, incorporating experiential learning, and promoting continuous professional development, you can create an environment that cultivates ongoing learning and drives individual and organisational growth.
