Much has been written about the importance of learning throughout our careers and how we can Learn Better.  As we progress in our careers, it is equally important to relearn.  That is, to review previously learned material to revise and refresh our understanding.

Why Relearn?

Remember What We Have Forgotten:  Relearning material will also remind us of much of what we have forgotten.  As the historian of science and technology, Lawrence Principe, writes:

“We study history to remind ourselves of what we have forgotten.”

And we have all forgotten a lot.  In fact, we have often forgotten what we have forgotten.  From my perspective in business, we need to relearn and not forget business and leadership fundamentals.  Just as in the Dot Com era, the housing bubble, and now the AI boom, we cannot forget that the fundamentals of business (the need for profits and positive cash flow) will always re-assert themselves.

Revise our Understanding: When we review and relearn material, we update and often correct our understanding.  Let me give an example.  Up until about 10 years ago, I believed and taught that business decisions were best made by forming an initial hypothesis and then using that hypothesis to guide our fact-finding and prove or disprove the hypothesis (just as was done on those CSI shows on television).  Through further study on decision making and experience in the world, I realized that the confirmation bias in most people (myself included) is so strong that that initial hypothesis will almost always be the conclusion. Instead, we need to collect the evidence and avoid making an early hypothesis.  My understanding of decision making has been revised.

“The Illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” Alvin Toffler

Keep Front of Mind: Relearning material serves as a reminder.  More important, this re-engagement with the material deepens our understanding of the material and keeps it front of mind.  Once the material is fully understood and front of mind we will more readily and effectively use it in our daily role as a leader.  An example for keeping front of mind will be various tactics we can use to coach direct reports.  The more of these tactics we have front of mind, the more we can use and the better we can counsel our direct reports in a way that is engaging and relevant to them.

How to Relearn?

To relearn, we just need to continue to read widely, listen to and actively engage with material that we already have learned, keeping an open mind and a willingness to change our understanding as need be.  Yes, much of what we read and hear may be repetitive with what we already know.  But, in most books or lectures, there is usually one or two gems that we have forgotten or that will help revise our understanding.  Even if there are no gems in the book or lecture, we will be reminded of something we already know, helping us keep it front of mind and readily available the next time it is needed.

Happy Relearning!