Individual Learning Strategies: Manager as Teacher

Manager as Teacher is a learning strategy where managers view themselves as teachers and facilitators of the learning process. Each interaction is seen as a learning opportunity. Managers are also aware that they serve as powerful role models for individual learning.

	To practice and demonstrate desired performance, behavior, and skills to employees.
	To set tone, pace, work habits, and behavior.

	Consistently model the behaviors and skills that you want to see employees use.
	Set the tone for learning by taking calculated risks, acknowledging your own mistakes, and openly discussing what you have learned.
	Understand that people learn by doing. When you are intending to teach something through modeling, do it in a way that enables others to use the knowledge or practice the skill.
	Think of every interaction, meeting, job assignment, or event as a teaching opportunity. Ask yourself: "What lessons can be learned?" "How can we apply these lessons to future situations?"
	Take advantage of "teachable moments." That is, opportunities where you can drive home a learning point or reflect on a learning experience.
	Stay up-to-date on current organization and management approaches and technologies in your field through professional seminars, conferences, trade journals, and professional magazines.

As described below, learning strategies are often used in combination with one another or may be closely linked to one another.

Coaching: Coaching is a skill that the manager will use in his or her role as teacher.

Mentoring: Mentors "teach" through serving as role models and by providing guidance and advice. Mentoring is a specific form of Manager as Teacher.

Federal Government Agencies

A manager increases the staff's problem-solving and decision-making abilities by teaching the staff how to use tools such as flowcharts, criteria matrices, multi-voting, and force field analysis.

Another Federal manager sets aside time on a regular basis to bring in subject-matter experts to share knowledge on current issues facing the staff.

Web Resources

The Leader's New Work Online Article by Peter Senge

Organizational and Managerial Culture as a Facilitator or Inhibitor of Organizational Learning Online Article by Edgar H. Schein

Publications

Vaill, P. Learning as a Way of Being: Strategies for Survival in a World of Permanent White Water. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1996.

Following are links to the other Individual Learning Strategies:

	Job Rotations
	Special Assignments
	Coaching
	Mentoring
	Individual Development Plan
	Learning Groups (Teams)
	Self-Development