A lot of leaders learn as they go. They rightly take pride in doing so.

The path from learning a theory or concept to making it tangible and usable within our activity requires engagement in doing. With every situation being unique, there is a need to determine how the learned theories and concepts can be applied to it. As much as we might hope for it, no theory or concept provides a clear solution to every situation.

Some help to assess and contemplate the situation. Others provide suggestions as to how a situation can be handled. But everyone who has tried to apply a theory or concept will have noticed that the answer they suggest is never complete. It is necessary to understand how they relate to the situation.

This also is the moment where the learning one is taking away from this situation differs.

Some let go of theories and concepts they learned and fall back to their habitual reactions. One of which is to search for a solution. It leads to confirming one’s reactivity and ability to find solutions in the moment. It contributes to a sense of growing confidence in one’s ability to address any given situation.

Others will stay tuned to the theory or the concept and find themselves, at first, challenged by it. In taking the time to connect the theory with the reality they are confronted with, they come up with their understanding of the theory in the given situation. A common result of such attention is an idea of different ways to address the situation and hope for a result as suggested by the concept used. Their learning will often be a sense of trust in the chosen path and a deeper understanding of what it is made of.

Yet others will consider the situation from a point of view of their priorities and values. They’ll use the concept they have chosen; they’ll consider how it relates to the situation, and they will use their priorities and values to choose what is right for them to do. It’s a work that develops the ability to act according to one’s values in a situation where one would prefer not to. The learning that unfolds for them is one based on gaining clarity about themselves and what it is that it requires us to do to be oneself. It leads to trust in oneself and one’s values.