There is a Chinese proverb that speaks to me and I believe to my leader friends like you.

Here’s the proverb:

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

We are learners, you and I. We have different styles of learning. It is neither necessarily linear nor predictable. I hunger to learn more, even as to how others learn. Will you tell me a story of how you learn?

Pragmatically, I submit that we study and read much but my observation is that we probably are not engaged enough with the rank and file of those whom we lead. “Doing” would do us some “soul” good, make lasting impact and connect us to so much understanding.

How do you learn? Are you learning? Does learning bridge new relationships because you have asked questions humbly? Do you listen?

For me, if I do something with someone, I “learn” him or her. If I am “doing” something in ministry with someone, I am learning “how.” I was thrown into Disaster Relief Work, for example. I was asked to give administrative oversight to seven refugee camps in Albania during the Kosovo war. What I “knew” was nothing compared to what I needed to know and learn. I asked and I listened. I did. I understood. My hands were dirty from the trenches.

This is my encouragement today for you. There is a whole lot to learn out there. Don’t live in a box. Get out of your routine. Do something and understand. I am so excited for you.

(Editor’s Note: I intentionally made myself available to be a substitute teacher this past year, as time permitted. I did something different. I wanted to learn (and relearn) youth culture. Instead of just read the latest, I had lunch with students and bantered with them in the hallways. I understand more now. By the way, I love the youth student culture, believe in this generation and am so impressed.)