6 Tips to Doing Learning Well

Growing our point of view and our inclusive behaviors is a process. Sometimes there are ‘aha!’ moments that help to move us forward in our understanding quickly—and sometimes the path is more wandering and takes time. Additionally, we can be at different stages of the point of view development process for the many different aspects of identity that exist. Someone may be quite savvy in understanding gender and how one’s gender identity will impact how they experience and move through the world; however, this same person may know very little about ability and how people with various abilities and disabilities experience the world.

If we desire to be people who are inclusive leaders, teammates, and general human beings, we have to be intentional about taking that next step along what we at Greatheart call the 5 Stages of Transformation. The 5 Stages see transformation as dramatic growth in an individual (or group). Each stage offers a new level of learning about how to lead thoughtfully and intentionally with many aspects of identity in view. They move from a space of inward reflection (Pre-Awareness, Interest & Necessity) toward a space of outward engagement and influence (Activated, Influencing). In-between is a stage anyone who has ever worked with youth will recognize: a time of (sometimes) awkward trial and error as we learn how to live out our new learnings (Careful Practice).