More Education, Who Needs It?
Do you need more education? Some people believe that they don’t need education beyond high school, and some even less than that.
Is education really a racket? Some people say it is.
Even Pink Floyd had something to say about education.
There are plenty of high salary people with what some would say is a limited education. Yet, it is probably safe to say that the more educated you become the higher your earning potential.
Is it about Learning?
When we swap out the word education and replace it with learning, things change a little.
One trouble spot is the concept of the quality of what is learned.
Learning how to dodge, weave, and play corporate politics may not be taught in a community college or ivy league business school. You tend to learn it from experience. For better or for worse, that experience often comes from role models.
Duck Dynasty is an American television series. Many view it as the name of a business. Although its true name is Duck Commander.
The Duck Dynasty brand, is an image, a role model, and although ZZ Top may disagree, it is quite possibly the spark that ignited the long-beard trend.
We also have images of what corporate life at Google looks like, what big government looks like in Washington, D.C., and some images of the chillaxed lifestyle of the rich and famous of Miami or Southern California.
There is also a reasonably good chance that you are none of those.
Yet, plenty of people will grow the beard, tote around technology like it is a picture of success, and politic on social media channels like a know-it-all from a prominent urban community.
It’s what they’ve learned or inspire to be.
More Education
You don’t need a formal education to learn how to run a Ponzi scheme. Although some college and university graduates decide to do it. The same may be said about the success of star athletes, business owners, and the Executive Chef.
Learning helps build your character. It shapes decisions that you’ll make.
If you decide to drop out of school and you achieve some success then school may appear to be a waste of time. You made a decision and got results.
If you decide to pursue post-secondary education by earning a certificate, a degree, or multiples of either, and you achieve some success, you may decide that formal education had something to do with it.
All of the decisions you’ll make today and tomorrow will have something to do with what you’ve learned. There is a good chance that as you make your next big decision, you’ll look at the presumed success and failures of your life experiences and your role models.
More learning is never a waste of time.
It becomes part of your character. It isn’t forced, it’s welcomed and appreciated. The moment you decide you don’t need it is likely a moment that you made a decision that will limit everything that happens for you next.
Everyone needs to learn more.
Do they?
Do you?
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
