The idea of teaching others and then having them eventually take on the role of teacher is perhaps one of the most effective ways to insure you have a learning organization. Until I taught someone else, and listened to their questions and concerns, I didn’t really have mastery over the knowledge or technique. Hear are the basic 5 steps of reproducing yourself and insuring you support a learning organization (family or team)….

1. I do it (demonstration)  Leadership by example.
2. we do it together (shadowing) Teamwork and Collaboration.
3. you do it, I am with you (mentoring) Lead by delegating.
4. you do it……(learn by your own mistakes) Kaisen and incremental improvement.
5. you do it and someone is with you (“teaching and learning are the same”, from the Course in Miracles) The line between teacher and student or learner is blurred.

I have studied the “Course in Miracles”, I substitute in my mind different words at times to make it more “secular” as I do not consider myself strongly religious and like to keep this separate in my life so that learning is more fluid and open. In our Children as Teachers Program (“C.A.T.S.) the kids teach their parents how to use harnesses, ropes and carabiners. This strengthens relationships both in the work world as well as at home in the family.