Learning Is Not an Isolated Task - Food for Thought

I spend a lot of time exploring how to foster cultures where learning is not just encouraged but truly safe.

Despite our best efforts, this can be a challenging task. The pressure to succeed is ever-present, and often, we feel there’s no room for mistakes. We're so focused on excellence that we may overlook the value and beauty that come with the learning process itself.

The image you see above was captured during my time in Indonesia a few years back.

It shows an elder of the village dancing with a young boy—a practice that I learned is quite common. As the other village elders began to play music, the dancing elder began, guiding the boy through each movement. What stood out was how the rest of the village responded. Throughout the dance, they made sounds—clicks, chants, and murmurs—offering encouragement and approval for every step the boy took. When he stumbled, the sounds shifted, not with disappointment, but with a gentle anticipation, like watching someone unwrap a gift they’re sure to love.

This dance has stayed with me over the years, a vivid reminder of how learning can be nurtured by an entire community. The village created a space where the boy felt safe, supported, challenged, and acknowledged. Learning was not an isolated task but an integral part of daily life, embraced by all.

As we think about our own spaces—our teams, our organizations, our families:

How do we treat the process of learning?

Can we take a moment to slow down, tune into the rhythms around us, and find joy in the learning dance?

Just a little food for thought.