Ken Robinson on Education

I first saw this video sometime toward the end of 2006. It made a great impression on me. It affected my views regarding the purpose of education and helped shape my approach to teaching. If you have a moment, it's well worth the time.

Irreducible Human Relations

All methods of successfully interacting with other people can be reduced to a single principle or law. I say this neither to undermine nor criticize what others have said or written about topics like “successful human relations” or “people skills” in general, but rather, to show that all methods concerned with successful human relations or people skills presuppose or function on the basis of the same principle or law.

When money is deposited in a bank account, it follows that the account increases in monetary value. Likewise, when money is withdrawn from an account, it decreases in monetary value. In a similar way, when someone “adds value” to us, it is as though they have increased our value as a person, and when someone “takes value” from us, it is as though they have decreased our value as a person. When we, for example, receive a sincere compliment or are treated with respect and common courtesy, we generally respond in a positive way. Such things can thus be said to add value to us. On the other hand, when someone insults us or treats us with disrespect or indifference, we tend to respond with resentment or hostility. Likewise, such things can be said to take value from us. Naturally, it should come as no surprise, that we tend to like those people who add or contribute value to our lives, while we tend to dislike those who take or deduct value from our lives.

The principle or law that “people like those who add value to them and dislike those who deduct value from them” sheds an interesting light on human relations. There are perhaps thousands of books, personal development programs and seminars built around the concept of “successful human relations.” Yet, if you examine them closely, you will find that all of them—albeit in different ways—carry the same essential message: always add value to others.

Flexibility and Likability

Things rarely go exactly the way we plan them. The person who ends up changing a flat tire on the side of the highway, for example, didn't wake up planning to do such a thing that morning. Nor does the guy who—perhaps mere moments before a critical presentation or job interview—plan on being told that he has a giant coffee stain on his tie. Things happen, and few people will dispute this. Yet somehow most of us still seem surprised when things don't go exactly as we expect. Despite openly admitting that things go wrong, not merely “every-now-and-then,” but quite often actually, the fact remains that most of us still react to the unforeseen and unpleasant with an emotionally-charged sawed-off shotgun. In fact, many times we react so badly that our behavior does nothing but make a bad situation worse.

The ability to change and adapt to unforeseen and unpleasant situations without going nuts or “blowing holes” in everyone around you, is known as flexibility. Flexibility is closely linked with emotional intelligence, which helps a person replace their inveterate responses to various emotions with those of a more rational and beneficial nature. (For more information on developing emotional intelligence see Lesson IX: Emotion and Intelligence from The Catalyst of Confidence.) Certainly flexibility has its personal advantages, such as reduced stress, increased peace of mind, and less reliance on emotional snap-judgments. But what is often overlooked about flexibility is that it helps a person be more likeable.

Consider first the inflexible person. Inflexible people are unable to handle things without losing their emotional balance. When something of an unpleasant nature reveals itself—they overreact, as if the world is about to end. Those who associate with (whether by personal choice or professional obligation) inflexible people tend to find themselves “walking on eggshells” or thinking things like “so-and-so can't handle anything,” or “I better not bring this up—who knows what will happen if I do.” In addition, such things do not occur merely some of the time, but rather occur more often than not. As a result, not only are the “inflexible one's” running around stressed out and sick to their stomachs, but so are many of those who have to deal with them. Such an atmosphere creates a kind of communication breakdown that can result in added problems and complexities, and ultimately spiral out of control. Needless to say, inflexible people—at least insofar as they are inflexible—are not well liked by their peers.

In contradistinction, flexible people have learned to respond to the unforeseen and unpleasant in ways that do not adversely affect how they handle themselves and those around them. Of course they don't want things to go wrong, they just don't allow such things to catch them emotionally off guard when they do. They are able to maintain calmness and poise, despite what may be happening, and this naturally enables those who closely associate with them to keep communication open and relax in their presence. It should be no surprise that, while people may quietly despise the inflexibility of others, they openly admire and sincerely appreciate those who are flexible. 

Understanding Your Tendencies: Lesson III

At the end of each lesson in The Catalyst of Confidence there are short sections entitled “understanding your tendencies.” These sections are composed of a series of questions designed to help the reader understand and apply some of the information that was conveyed during the lesson. What follows is my commentary on these questions from Lesson III: Goals and Dreams.

1. Do you have goals and dreams?

This is pretty straight forward. Yes or no. You either do or you don't.

2. What are you currently working to accomplish?

What do you work to accomplish on a day-to-day basis? Anything specific? Do you just go to work and come home? Or is your activity focused on a definite objective?

3. Have you defined your goals and dreams in writing?

Again, this is pretty simple. You either have goals and dreams or you don't, and you either have them written down or you don't. If you have goals and dreams but haven't bothered writing them down read this.

4. Do you consistently focus on your defined goals?

It's one thing to have goals, and it's important to have them defined in a concrete way (on paper), but it makes little difference if you don't focus on them. Without consistent focus and concentrated effort, your written goals and dreams will likely become a “wish list" of things you wanted to do when you were younger.

5. Have you given your mind the necessary time to begin working out plans for your goals?

As explained in the book, it is not necessary to know “how” to accomplish something at the time you define it as a goal or dream. When you focus or concentrate on the object of your desire (your goal/dream) your mind will begin “working out” a method, in the form of ideas, that will aid you in determining “how” to accomplish it. These ideas provide a person with the “raw material” needed to develop a plan for the attainment of a given goal. Yet many times people become discouraged when “brilliant ideas” don't appear in their minds immediately. It is important to note that this process takes time. You shouldn't expect to figure it all out overnight, nor should you expect your initial plan to work flawlessly. Consistent concentration is necessary for problem solving and goal reaching, but so is time.

6. After you develop plans, how long do you wait before acting on them?

You shouldn't be waiting long. Immediately is preferable to “soon” or “someday.” Bottom line, if you have developed a plan, you should be acting on it. If you're not, your slowly but surely developing a habit of procrastination. People often postpone acting on their plans because they want to make sure their plans are perfect. After all, they don't want to make a fool out of themselves. Yet it is still better to get into action, even if you fail. The likely result of non-action, whatever its justification, is procrastination, paralysis and fear. When you act, at least you have something to work with, at least you have a ship to steer.

7. What does your ideal life look like?

To be honest, this question deserves a post of its own, perhaps soon. However, it should suffice to say that by defining an “ideal life,” a person provides oneself with a kind of “blueprint” or “standard” with which to evaluate and compare their current life circumstances. Of course a person shouldn't be depressed if every aspect of their so-called “ideal life” doesn't come to fruition. That, properly speaking, isn't the point of it. The concept of an “ideal life” is simply a useful tool that can be used as a means to making sound decisions. “Will this choice/action bring me closer to or further from my ideal life?”

8. If you could do anything, what would you do?

Few people will stop to actually consider such a question. Many will shrug it off or label it “impossible” or “impractical.” But if you could really do whatever it is that you would love to do—what would you do? And are your reasons for saying you “can't do it” really good reasons after all? Is it really impossible? Or would it just be extremely difficult? But perhaps more importantly, if you actually did it, would it be worth it?

9. Do you realize the mental process of bringing goals and dreams into reality can be used to solve personal problems?

See Running In Circles.

Ignorance and Patience

Few things are more difficult to tolerate than sheer unbridled ignorance. But unless you have a considerable amount of influence with the other person, or unless they are genuinely seeking your answers—it's probably best to keep your mouth shut. Of course you can always just “stick it to them” or “put them in their place” or “blow them out of the water.” And though a response of this nature might help you feel a bit better, it will probably do more harm than good. For by reacting in such a way you will likely destroy any potential you had to influence the other person for the better. After all, it's near impossible to convince another person to change their mind about something in one big leap. But with a little patience, slow and unforced baby steps can add up over time.

Official Launch: Life n' Leadership

After five years of research and development I am pleased to announce the release of the self-study program: Life n' Leadership: The Fundamentals of Self-Awareness and Human Interaction!

Based on much of the material I have taught in live classes since 2006, Life n' Leadership is a program geared toward high-school- and young-adult-age students. Though I wouldn't necessarily discourage an adult from perusing it, it has nonetheless been created specifically for an audience of a more youthful nature. As a “self-study” program—which could also be described as a “home-study” program—there is no direct interaction between instructor and student. Rather, the program—which consists of four audio CD's and a workbook—is intended to be completed “on its own” without the aid an external educator. As such, the program is “self-paced” though it is advisable to be completed over a single semester, or more specifically, a twelve week period (focusing on one lesson per week). A basic outline of the content of the program is as follows.

Life n' Leadership will help students discover:

• How their beliefs/perceptions are created and changed, as well as how they determine their potential.
• How their associations influence their attitudes and values, and how to benefit from them.
• The incredible power of their choices, actions and habits.
• The impact their goals and dreams have on their life.
• How to conquer their fears and how to learn from their failures.
• How to approach new information and opinions.
• How to add value to other people and develop likeability.
• The importance of trust and how to build and maintain it.
• How to better understand and communicate with other people.

Though the program lists for $99.95 it is currently available on Amazon.com for $79.95 with FREE shipping (the program website has since been launched at www.lifenleadership.com). The program is also available in a digital-only version for $49.95 and is exclusively distributed by CurrClick.com. In addition, the Life n' Leadership Workbook is available on Amazon.com as a separate product. This will provide homeschooling families an alternative to buying a separate program for each of their children, should they desire. (UPDATE: Prices have since been reduced to $29.95 for the physical program and $19.95 for the digital download.)

As always, questions are welcome and appreciated.

The Engine of Your Life

If you were to identify the most important thing associated with your existence—what would it be? It seems it would have to be something that you could-not-possibly-function without. Someone special, a spouse or close friend may come to mind, a person that you may believe you “couldn't live without.” But to be sure, you could live without this person. It may not be easy, but your existence is not dependent on theirs. So it seems that a person, irrespective how important they may be to you, cannot in principle be the-most-important-thing-associated-with-your-existence.

Given a little time for reflection and introspection, most people will identify some variation of their mind as the most important thing associated with their existence. If you think about it, everything you have ever done or could possibly do, is inextricably dependent on the existence of your mind. One may object and say that the mind is equally dependent on the existence of the body, and that without a strong healthy body, a person cannot function properly. But it seems that the mind would still take precedence over the body. A person suffering from heart disease, for instance, can still exercise the power of their mind. They can make decisions, communicate, process information, express joy or sorrow. But a person without a mind cannot do this, even if their body is in perfect health. Naturally a vibrant healthy body is to be preferred over one which is failing, and though a healthy body serves to reinforce the mind, the mind doesn't seem to be dependent on the body in the same way that other things (such as intentionality) depend on it for existence.

Consider the analogy that the mind is the engine in a car. Everything a car is capable of doing is clearly dependent on the engine. Yes we can turn on the radio or the headlights without starting it, but by doing so the battery will be drained. It is the engine that (while running) keeps the battery charged. Yes we can put a car in neutral and drive it down a hill, but without an engine to further propel the car, it will eventually slow down and stop. The engine itself, however, requires other things, such as clean fuel and lubrication (oil), in order to run properly and effectively. It seems the same can be said of our mind.

As mentioned, everything we have ever done or could possibly do is inextricably dependent on the existence of our mind. But what does the mind itself require to “run” properly and effectively? Information. It is information that appears to be the “language” or “fuel” of the mind. Information provides the mind with the “raw materials” needed to think, to reason, to learn and develop. Without information, your mind has nothing to “work with,” so to speak. But just as dirty fuel or oil will cause the engine of a car to run poorly, a consistent diet of valueless information will cause your mind to lose capacity and adroitness. If a person ceases to learn, for instance, their mind will consume nothing but the information it contacts in daily life. And though some of this information may be of value, the majority of it is certainly not. Unless a person is actively committed to the consistent learning of something, their ability to reason and think will slowly be undermined.

Instead of watching that movie or TV show that you've seen a thousand times, find a topic of interest and begin exploring it. Rather than reading yet another fiction book, pick up something nonfiction. The things that comprise our world can be far more exhilarating than mere pop entertainment. Find a hobby, develop a skill, read, learn, grow—do something! But whatever you do, don't be content with merely being entertained. A byproduct of constant entertainment is boredom and boredom often leads to a loss of initiative and eventually depression. If your mind is your greatest asset, shouldn't you put something useful in it?