James Heidema Speaks

For the past 12 years I have trained, consulted and coached almost 160,000 managers and team members. I have employed numerous methods to assist individuals and teams to build their capacity. I believe every true professional is interested in improving their knowledge, skills and abilities. I am always looking for simple, yet proven methods to build capacity.

Capacity building is difficult under the best of circumstances. For it requires great self-discipline and adoption of a proven methodology. It should be obvious to one and all, professionals are better disciplined than the amateurs, in any profession. Basically professionals adopt better habits.

As a professional trainer, I am constantly reading about other international trainers and global methods that contribute to building capacity. Many methods are hollow (without substance) or are so complex, the learner gives up too soon, before they reap the benefits of the system.

Over the past year I have been part of a team that is applying, what I think is a very sound methodology to increase individual and team capacity. It is called the Learning Cycle.

The Learning Cycle has 4 parts; Reflection, Learning, Planning and Action. Take a moment to draw a circle, then on each quadrant, write the four words; reflection, learning, planning and action. Please do this now!

Reflection - to effectively reflect on your past performance (of the individual or the team) you need to detach your self from your ego. On your circle, between action and reflection, write the word 'detachment'. To successfully reflect you must detach and focus on what you have done well and what you need to change. Forget about what you did wrong. When you focus on negatives you dis-empower yourself and your team. When you focus on what you can change you empower.

This model is called the Plus/Delta. On a separate piece of paper draw a line down the center of the page. On the left top draw a plus (+) sign. On the top right draw a triangle (Δ) symbol. The (+) represents what you did well. The (Δ) represents the Greek symbol, the Delta, which means change, what would you change. Now take a few moments and record on the left what you have done well in the past week. Then on the right side, record what you need to change.

Learning - to effectively learn from your past performance you must be willing to search. On your circle, between reflection and learning, write the word 'search'. If you are not learning, you are not growing and if you are not growing, then you are dying (intellectually). You need to clearly understand your strengths and weaknesses. You must constantly search for new learning about yourself or your team.

Planning - to effectively plan, you must love. On your circle, between learning and planning, write the word 'love'. We use the word love to express a thirst to do better. People don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan. Love or passion to do better gives each of us a competitive advantage.

Action - to effectively act we need to have courage. On your circle, between planning and action, write the word 'courage'. This is the critical and crucial point of the learning cycle. This is where many individuals and teams fail. They know their strengths and weaknesses. They know what they should do to improve, but they just don't act. I find it curious that they have time to do it wrong but not enough time to do it right. Find the courage to act.

So there you have it. A simple method called the Learning Cycle; reflection, learning, planning and action. Reflection requires detachment, Learning requires search, Planning requires love and Action requires courage.

If you, on a weekly basis apply the learning circle, you will eventually become the individual and/or the team you were destined to be. Build your capacity on purpose, not by accident.