“The biggest change for me,” said Renee, “is that I have to spend time learning. I thought I was finished learning when I finished school. I was wrong. Think about it. The things I am learning today weren’t even invented when I was in school.”

Renee paused and looked around the table. “First, I have to keep an open mind that there are things I don’t know. There are things we do that can be done better. There are new ways to reach our customers. There are new ways for our customers to reach us.

“There are new products in our market that are better than our products. We have to see where we need improvement. We have to keep an open mind that we can always get better.

“The main thing is, I just can’t keep coming to work every day, thinking, all there is to do, is the work. If I want to be more effective, I have to keep learning.” -TF

P.S. Management Skills Blog celebrates its one year anniversery today. Cheers. -TF

“So, what’s changed?” I ask. It is one of my favorite questions. Change can happen on the outside, but it can also happen on the inside.

I always ask, “What’s changed in your industry?” The responses are easy, mostly observations from trade journals.

“What’s changed in your company?” The eyes roll. There is always some new something. Some new computer software, some new procedure, some new person, something new to stir things up. You can hear all about it at the water cooler.

“And with your team? What’s changed about your team?” The looks are puzzled. Well, we have a new team member. And Ralph, is getting weirder. And we have to work harder than we used to. And more is expected of us.

“And with yourself? What has changed about you?” This is the most interesting question. In the past twelve months, what has changed about you? What is the most significant thing you have learned? What is the most important decision you have made? What has made your older and wiser? What have you lived through that has prepared you for tomorrow? -TF