Your Revenue Driver

Chapter 1 - Why Informal Learning? pp 1-10

Ironically, I had a breakthrough learning moment from my seventh grade Math teacher - Mr. Craig that was different from what Nathan experienced with "Mr. Johnson." I recall Mr. Craig's approach to motivating us to learn algebra. He asked us to wonder how long it would take a caveman to communicate that he had just seen three angry grr's ("bears.) Would it be grr, grr, grr...or might there be a faster and safer way to communicate. He was funny as he portrayed this image - but it lasted and as a B/C math student in elementary school I became an A student in Math during Junior High and High School and then earned a BA and MS in Math.

What early "formal" learning story comes to mind for you?

I enjoyed Nathan's reference to Rene Descartes "It is not enough to have a good mind; I want to help you use it well." In the mid 1980's my manager - Tim Walsh gave a gift to each of the managers who reported to him - "A Whack on the Side of the Head" by Roger von Oech. This book provided a quote from Emile Chartier "Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have." This has motivated me to always think of at least two ways to solve a problem. I shared this approach with my daughter when she was very young (perhaps 4 or 5.) It continues to serve both of us and is a shared memory.

What philosophical approach has influenced you and those you love?

What a wonderful gift Nathan received from his Aunt Mamie - "It will be all right. You are smart and you can do this. All you need to do is stop looking at the big picture and break this into smaller pieces and learn a little at a time while you implement what you are doing." My Dad taught me to "Love whatever I was doing, because then I would do it well, and eventually would find out how to do what I loved."