School of UnLearning Blog
Unlearning From the Land Down Under
For years, I have been telling people an amazing story of the healing powers of Aboriginal People of Australia that I had read about in a non-fiction book. The name of the book was lost on me but on a recent trip to Australia I learned the name was Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan. Excited by this discovery and the chance to refresh myself with the details of the story, I rushed to … [Read More...]
Perception: It’s a Male/Female Thing
This classic scene from Allie Hall reminds us that there is always more than one way to see the same situation--even if it is just "three times a week": Interested in some other perspective-change posts? Check out these past posts: Perspective Matters Top to Bottom Leader or Outcast Aging from a New Perspective … [Read More...]
Every Rule Has an Exception: Weird
Most of us are familiar with the famous classroom dictum: i before e except after c. It is helpful most of the time but not always. For example, do you find it weird that the word "weird" isn't spelled wierd? If you wish to stay open to unlearning, it's helpful to remember that every rule has an exception--even this "rule." To assist you in applying this "exception rule" to everyday … [Read More...]
Searching for Wisdom in a Modern World
I enjoy and appreciate modern technology but it has its limits. Consider the proliferation of apps that have turned the ancient act of gazing up into the stars into a dry schoolroom lesson. To be sure, it is a powerful thing to be able to instantly identify planets, stars and constellations. In our pursuit of knowledge, however, I can't help but feel we are missing something. In the … [Read More...]
Perspective Matters: Top to Bottom
In the picture to the right, count the bars from the top and then count them from the bottom. Did you count ten the first time and seven the second time? I love optical illusions such as this one because they force us to acknowledge that the world isn't always so black-or-white. Often, our starting point will bias us toward one perspective. For example, in politic circles it is now … [Read More...]
Unlearning Lessons
Unlearning From the Land Down Under
For years, I have been telling people an amazing story of the healing powers of Aboriginal People of Australia that I had read about in a non-fiction book. The name of the book was lost on me but … [Read More...]
Every Rule Has an Exception: Weird
Most of us are familiar with the famous classroom dictum: i before e except after c. It is helpful most of the time but not always. For example, do you find it weird that the word "weird" isn't … [Read More...]
Show Your True Colors: Fear Commitment
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson Question #27: What do chameleons do? They do many things but the one thing they don’t do is change color to … [Read More...]
Stop Looking for Patterns
“We are so good at seeing patterns that, often, we see them where they don’t exist.” --Michael Mauboussin Question #26: If you flip a coin 14 times which is more likely to occur: a) The coin … [Read More...]
Re-Understand, Leave Assumptions Behind and Unlearn
"Most people aren't trained to want to face the process of re-understanding a subject they already know. One must obtain not just literacy, but deep involvement and re-understanding." This … [Read More...]
ask a new question
Question Your Children in a New Way
As a parent, I want to encourage curiosity and creativity in my children. To signal my interest in their education, I frequently ask the question: "What did you learn in school, today?" It recently dawned on me that this is a most … [Read More...]
Joy’s Law of Management
"No matter who you are, most of the smartest people work for someone else." This quotation is widely attributed to Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems. Whenever you begin thinking that unlearning may no longer be necessary just remember … [Read More...]
In the Process of Being Wrong
You're right, of course. You are always right. (Just like me.) That is until you're wrong. At which point you'll say, "I was wrong." Funny, isn't it? Being wrong is such a black-and-white issue. We are right up until that very moment we are … [Read More...]
Ask a Stranger: What Don’t I Know?
Related Posts 5 Ways to Make the Strange Familiar Unlearning Lesson #21: Know Doubt … [Read More...]
25 Questions for the Truly Innovative Company or Organization
“Sometime over the next decade your company or organization will be challenged to change in a way for which it has no precedent.” --Gary Hamel in The Future of Management Most companies and organizations claim creativity and innovation hold … [Read More...]
