Sharpen Your Edge with Learning Agility

At this October’s SIOP Leading Edge Consortium, two I-O professionals will teach you how to master a critical workplace skill: Learning agility. You will impress organizational leaders as you put those skills to work, of course, but you will also encourage colleagues to model your behavior, which helps foster professionals who are more relaxed and more motivated in the workplace. 

To be successful, learning agility has to be at the forefront. It is more than learning the latest software or knowing the latest jargon. It is what helps employees handle change effectively, take on new roles with confidence, and continuously improve their skills. This is a “need,” not a “want,” for today’s fast-paced, and sometimes VUCA, professional environment. 

The two I-O professionals and SIOP Fellows leading this workshop, Coaching to Accelerate the Development of Learning Agility, are Dr. Veronica Schmidt Harvey of Schmidt Harvey Consulting and Dr. Anna Marie Valerio of Executive Leadership Strategies. They are joining forces in October, as they did in early 2024 when they offered a similar workshop, to bring the concept and practice of learning agility to Minneapolis.  

In a recent conversation, Schmidt Harvey described learning agility as a “metacompetency,” or a collection of related subcompetencies. "Learning agility is one of the best predictors of leadership success,” she said. "When leaders understand how to learn, it can be empowering and potentially even reduce stress." 

Reducing stress in today’s racing work environment is a potent attraction, but Schmidt Harvey said it is possible by encouraging people to switch from a sympathetic nervous system to parasympathetic. The difference is that a sympathetic nervous system is an adrenaline-enhanced “fight or flight” situation. It may be great for getting you away from a tiger, but it is less useful in navigating the issues that make workplace coaching such a challenge. 

That is critical to short- and long-term success, Schmidt Harvey said, because coaches assist leaders in developing the skills that are needed -- “for both current and future roles." 

Future roles? Is a crystal ball involved? No. Talents and skills to anticipate future challenges are easier to unlock when people creatively and calmly look for those solutions rather than using up a lot of energy trying to outrun a tiger.  

Some situations are so complex that they may require significant learning agility to resolve; others need less. 

One of the key skills that she and Valerio discuss is the “volume” of learning agility needed for specific situations. “Understand how much of it is needed for the particular role or situation,” Schmidt Harvey advised. 

Registering for this workshop will teach attendees just that. Although it benefits workplaces, it benefits you, too. As your workday ends and your personal life starts, learning agility will leave you refreshed instead of exhausted.

Due to interest in these timely coaching and talent topics, LEC workshop registration is open to everyone, regardless of LEC registration. The workshops are limited to 50 registrants each. You can register for a workshop when you register for the LEC. If you have already registered for the LEC, you can go back and add a workshop by logging into your SIOP account. To register for a workshop only, call SIOP at 419-353-0032 during regular business hours.