Not so sure if folks are still familiar with the phrase “School of Hard Knocks”. If you try to search the internet for the definition; you’ll land on a description of ‘an experience of learning through hardship and adversity”.  The descriptor of hardship and adversity is juxtaposed to the experience of passive learning in the confines of a safe environment. Hardship and adversity implies the difficulties of living through the trial and error one goes through in living/solving the puzzles of business and life as a whole. It implies acting on choices that have true implication and consequences in what the younger generation says in “IRL” (in real life).   

There is value to systematic passive approach of learning that is usually experienced in academic programs or attending a seminar or in picking up a book or even I dare say googling or watching a topic in You Tube. I do wish to put forward that there is a “higher and intrinsic value” if one goes beyond and actually put those lessons into action. Remember that “knowledge” not put to practice is wasted. The students that applies what they learned, not only gain from knowing the theoretical and technical aspects of a task but also discover themselves through the process. The later part is the biggest advantage to this form of learning as I do believe that in the long run what truly matters is “how one thinks”, rather than what “one knows”. It would be incumbent on the learner to validate and refine the things learned, by testing it in real life or at a minimum validate with someone that truly lived it through.

My optimistic self says that eventually those that learn passively will eventually in time “learn the ropes” as they are thrown and tested in real world experiences. Whilst those who stand and evaluate talents eventually would learn to value more the wisdom gained by folks who are tested more by experience than just simply certificates. 

For those that plunge into “learning by experience”; humility, resiliency and commitment are the tuition fee. The first step still starts with a hypothesis developed from observation, intuition and research then followed through by “execution” and a series of iteration until the full formula is landed. My mentor used to laughingly say that this path is an accelerated one that hardens skin and strengthens one’s gut assuming that the traveller survives the trek.  

My optimistic self says that the journey is the reward itself as folks that learn in the “school of hard knocks” strengthen their timber at each step taken. It is not only in solving the problem or task at hand but also personal growth in aspects that can only be seen in actually living it. Situations that involve leadership, negotiations, tough decisions and managing crisis are occasions where one just needs to dive into.  I’ve always trusted on a our ability to eventually sort things out in time. On each step, you find yourself being less ignorant. Folks that are tested in this school would jump into an opportunity for they are not faint of heart knowing their abilities to cope and learn. 

I encourage everyone to embrace a life of continuous learning. Take a moment to reflect on the depth of your knowledge—consider how much has been gained through the messy steps of figuring things out and the iterative process of refining each step. Reflect on how the knowledge acquired from listening, watching, and reading has been put to the test through real-world application or role play. The true magic lies in knowledge that is not just acquired but applied. As the percentage of applied knowledge starts to stack up, you may notice a significant boost in your confidence to tackle challenges.