One reason I encourage people around me to leap in and lead is because it’s the best way to retain and use new information. For the same reason, I invite all participants at my roundtables to both teach and learn from others there.
Why not use more of what we now know about leadership, learning success, and the human brain. Notice in the chart how the human brain retains 90% and then ask yourself how you are taking advantage of that news to solve problems at work. 
Why stand up and speak for long periods at meetings, for instance, when others retain so little from your hard work. Instead you could use visuals or demonstrations. Why read only, when communication that adds meaningful discussion gets far better results from one’s noodle?
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5% retention from listening to lecture |
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10% when you read for information |
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20% with use of audio-visual |
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30% comes with a demnstration added |
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50% when you discuss facts in groups |
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75% when you practice by doing |
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90% when you teach others as you learn |
( From the National Training Institute in 1999)
Did you know that you actually retain more when you teach others at the same time you are learning something new? After these numbers, I won't be running off to lecture anytime soon... but I look forward to hearing more from your experiences….
Great tip, Ellen! Maybe that's why my thoughts on blogging stay so fresh - because I'm always sharing them with a few dozen KMM authors!
Posted by: Easton Ellsworth | April 20, 2006 8:40 AM | Permalink to Comment