ATTENTION: The Learning History Disclaimer
You can read the following learning history the way you would read an ordinary report. However, if you read it that way, we do not believe that it will provide the intended value.A learning history describes what happens in a learning and change process, in the voice of participants. It documents "hard" facts and events, and focuses on what people thought about events, how they perceived their own actions, and differences in people's perceptions. By recreating the experience of "being there," the learning history helps readers understand what happened in a way that helps them make more effective judgments.
Learning is not always an easy process. It involves taking on the mindset of a beginner, letting go of what you have worked hard to "know," and a willingness to examine situations which aren't turning out as intended. When people try new behaviors and do things different they often make mistakes -- in fact, mistakes are inevitable. In typical business settings, however, mistakes are covered up and undiscussable.
The people who tell their story in this learning history have made mistakes, and they have also had successes. Those experiences are communicated here. Thus, the learning history workshop seeks to create an opportunity to talk openly about what has been learned, and to extend this discussion into its implications for current and future issues.
When you read this document as a learning history, in preparation for a meeting in which you can discuss its contents, we ask you to do two things.
First, consider it as a vehicle to better conversations. Read the document in parallel with other members of your team. Plan a couple of hours dedicated to coming together to talk about what you read and how it applies to your current efforts (see attached "Facilitation Guidelines: Learning History Dissemination Workshop"). As you read the learning history, notice what triggers your emotions - surprise, joy, anger, sadness, fear and so on - and mark those areas in the text so that you can go back to them later. Prepare yourself for how you might talk to your colleagues about your reactions and thoughts in reading this document.
Second, as you read, take on the mindset of a beginner. Listen to what people say, and wonder why they said what they did. Try to suspend your judgment; don't automatically condemn those who made mistakes, or assume you know why mistakes occurred. Think about how a particular story is similar and different from issues you have encountered. Come to the workshop prepared to learn with one another the events which took place and their implications. Come with questions that might help you understand and empathize with the points of view that are very different than your own.
You may find yourself wanting to talk about the material in this learning history with others before the Dissemination Workshop. However, in doing so we ask you to consider that you are dissipating the energy you bring to the workshop that will combine with others in collectively making sense. Later, if you have found the learning history document and the conversation it generated helpful, then you might want to suggest other people form groups and have conversations after reading the learning history.
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