There is “just in time” learning and “just in case” learning.
You can rely upon just in time learning for specific skills. Internet search works well, and there are good books on specific skills in your business or for common situations. Frankly speaking, if you’re a senior leader, you can delegate much of that type of work.
Just in case learning can be a trap. You don’t need to know everything in advance. I advise people going out alone in the woods to know good information, and practice certain skills, in case of emergency. But you don’t need a medical certification. One of my neighbors growing up in West Virginia would say, “Ya canna learn nothing useless.” Pursuing what interests and intrigues you is always worthwhile as a human being. Lifelong curiosity should be cultivated. But there is limited time.
The key question for leaders: How to learn what will be helpful in new situations where there aren’t straightforward answers? This is where studying biographies, history, moral and religious teaching, art, and great literature come in. Studying these fields builds up a treasure trove of insights that will help you analyze and navigate forward.
