Recently, my employer mandated that we use generative artificial intelligence, or GenAI, tools in our work.
My first reaction was, “Oh no!” I had assiduously turned a blind eye and deaf ear to every mention of AI, thinking it was a concept that my younger colleagues would have to learn and master. But once I accepted that this mandate was something I could not change or otherwise avoid, I resolved to learn everything I could about it. Here is how this old dog learned new tricks:
First, my heart was steeled by a longtime colleague and co-worker who, as it turned out, had already blazed her own knowledge path on GenAI tools. She gave me helpful advice and pointed me toward good research but, most of all, she told me I could “do this.”
Second, I had to conquer my fear of the unknown. I, therefore, resorted to my longstanding, tried-and-true approach with learning new things: Take some helpful courses, watch insightful videos and review other research to build a knowledge base and get a proverbial handle on the concept.
Third, I almost immediately started applying my learning into real-world products. Nothing overcomes fear of the unknown like taking that big actual step into the now not-so-unknown.
The major and big picture takeaway of this experience was to reacquaint myself with my careerlong dictum and practice to keep up with the latest bells and whistles in my workplace.
I admit that I had become too complacent inside my comfort zone. As leadership expert John Maxwell says, “There is no growth in your comfort zone, and no comfort in your growth zone.”
The best way to grow in the pursuit of lifelong learning is to learn something new — even if it is initially scary. (Though fear can be a great motivator!)
What “scary” thing do you need to learn in order to become more proficient and successful in your role at work?
David Boisselle is an adjunct professor of business and leadership at Regent University in Virginia Beach. He may be reached at david.boisselle@gmail.com.