The most valuable asset a company can have isn't just raw talent or fancy degrees. It's a team of individuals fueled by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a relentless drive to grow. Enter the self-taught employee. These are the individuals who take charge of their own learning, who proactively seek out new skills and information, and who aren't afraid to step outside their comfort zone to explore uncharted territories. Their passion for learning is contagious, igniting a spark of curiosity and ambition within their teams. They challenge the status quo, bring fresh perspectives to the table, and aren't afraid to experiment with new ideas. Why are self-taught employees so valuable? - Adaptability: They thrive in dynamic environments, quickly picking up new skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the curve. - Initiative: They don't wait to be told what to do; they proactively seek out solutions and take ownership of their work. - Problem-Solving: Their diverse skill sets and experiences equip them to tackle complex challenges from multiple angles. - Passion: Their genuine enthusiasm for learning is infectious, inspiring others to raise their own bar of excellence. But it's not just about individual brilliance. Self-taught employees also elevate the entire team. They foster a culture of continuous learning, encourage collaboration, and push their colleagues to reach their full potential. So, if you're looking to build a high-performing team, don't overlook the power of the self-taught. These individuals are the secret weapon that can propel your company to new heights. Invest in their development, empower them to take risks, and watch as their passion for learning transforms your organization from within. After all, the future of work belongs to those who never stop learning.
I work as a Data Governance specialist and founded Data Value Solutions, a boutique consulting firm that focuses on boosting profits 📈 and savings through top-notch data management. 🗂 When people ask me what I studied, I say: "Nothing... I didn't go to uni." How did I learn all this? Through passion, determination, and discipline. I truly believe that if you have these three qualities, anything is possible. 💪
One of the challenges I have found even with high performing teams is a lack of systematic sharing of tacit knowledge that self-taught employees leverage. Most companies don't have any systems in place to create a robust knowledge-sharing culture.
Self-taught folks are like ninjas – quiet but deadly with their skills. 🥷
Great post Sol. Interestingly Veterans are taught this at an early age. I remember being told at United States Military Academy … if you need more go find it (and share what you learn)
This is a must-read for anyone looking to build a high-performing team. Self-taught employees are the secret weapon that can propel your company to new heights. Invest in their development, empower them to take risks, and watch them shine.
Sol that really resonates with the pamphled that I started to write, after reading you book!
Practitioner of Arcane Technomancy
2moI was self taught (age 6) before I went to college and had to be coerced into going, here's the reality: Non-engineering school (ivy or not) ~ self taught Decent Engineering school > self taught There is so much knowledge behind the paywall of the American Education system even with great tools and edx.org/MIT open courseware/etc, self taught will never out pace working with experts, hand holding through topics it took millennia humans to understand, define and apply. There's literally no comparison. It's easy to be self-taught in tech, because when you're buggy program breaks there's usually someone educated to fix it. Would you trust a self-taught doctor? Would you live in a home built by a self-taught construction company? Truth is a company cannot function on self-taught employment. There have to be experts to fix the gaps of knowledge. Agree?