Auxano is a ministry guided by three values:
- Clarity First
- Carnivorous Learning
- Contagious Passion for the Church, the Bride of Christ
Our second value is anchored by the mantra: Lead with questions, not answers.
To some degree, learning comes naturally and is guided by human curiosity. But in other ways, learning is a skill to be cultivated. As I’ve tried to grow as a learner, I have gained one overarching insight, one great secret:
Learning is a free, daily opportunity to those who seize it.
- Anyone I meet can teach me something
- People always like sharing what they know
- I can ask questions about anything I’m experiencing or observing
- Information has never been more accessible
A fantastic story to illustrate this secret comes from Bob Buford, a student of Peter Drucker. In a recent Leadership Network blog post, he shares this story:
Peter Drucker had an exquisite collection of Japanese painting and calligraphy on scrolls, many housed in museums. Peter took three scrolls out every month to display in his home. We used to stand in front of an ancient Japanese painting with Peter advising me in two words that the way to study art is to “Just Look.”
Twenty years ago, I began doing just that by purchasing used art books from Half Price Books and tearing out three pages every day to pin up on corkboard in my walk-in closet where I dress each morning. You can do the same. Just find a used bookstore (The Strand in NYC) and start pinning up a few reproductions every day or so. Or you can buy a terrific and inexpensive book, titled A Year in Art, which has the great paintings with succinct commentaries. Tear ‘em out and “just look.” It is like a trip to The Met with no excess baggage fees.
I love this story because Bob, although an accomplished man, continuously delights in feeding his mind and growing his perspective.
I ran into this quote yesterday at Next Level Leadership: “When a leader surrenders their willingness to learn, they also surrender their right to lead.”
Stoke your willingness to learn today. It’s free. It’s your choice.
