Learn to Grow Shorts: A Mention for Mentors

This week I welcomed Shelley Osborne to the podcast, and we talked through some of the core concepts of her book The Upskilling Imperative. The thing that stood out to me this week was the importance of mentors, and in particular of feedback. Shelley and the crew at Udemy are big on feedback and are heavily invested in the idea that feedback is fuel. This made me think about the reason we need feedback. In order to learn and grow, we need to become aware of the things that need work. We need to know what needs improvement. Sometimes we figure that out ourselves, but often we need some outside input to help us move in the right direction. That made me think about a book I would like to highly recommend – Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. This book is relevant here for two reasons – first, that talent and ability is not a mystical power fixed at birth, but that it can be created and nurtured. Second, that simple wisdom (or feedback) from master coaches, or mentors, can be the catalyst for great change and powerful learning. He talks about the various approaches of what he calls talent whisperers, teachers, coaches, and parents who figure out how to say the right thing at just the right time to ignite a fire within their mentees. As we have talked about before, we all have a responsibility to inspire each other – so check it out!I think about his ideas in terms of how I communicate with people in general and how I communicate with my kids as I try to help them grow and develop their passions. This episode was also the final episode of our first season, and I want to thank all of my incredible guests for their time and their wisdom. We will be back after Christmas with more of the Learn to Grow Podcast – thank you for taking the time to listen!

Om Podcasten

The Learn to Grow Podcast is an anecdotal look at the learning landscape aimed at L&D and HR professionals. I interview leaders in learning about their experience first-hand in the world of learning and development helping people and organizations reach their potential. We discuss top trends including learning technology, the role of learning cultures, and the foundations of a successful learning experience. We believe learning and growth are intertwined, both for individuals and organizations. Individuals learn to grow within their roles, careers, and personal lives. Organizations' learning programs are now major contributors to business success, helping them attract and retain top talent, upskill and reskill, and adapt to the inevitable changes the future will bring. In this podcast, we speak to leaders in the learning and development industry about the learning landscape.