The Dean of the School of Public Health, Barbara Rimer, recently blogged about adult learners. She was responding to a recent New York Times article about why some people continue to develop and others seem to stop.
Dean Rimer writes, "I’ve had to work really hard to develop my quantitative skills, but the more I’ve used these skills, the easier it becomes. Many of us, particularly those of a certain age (read: well over 50), grew up thinking that if we weren’t a natural at something, we just couldn’t or shouldn’t do that thing."
Many public health leaders and managers I've met feel that they don't have business skills, that they aren't good with money and budgets. They aren't "naturals" at it. Many of them started in public health because they cared about people, not money or math.
I'm in that category myself-- I never figured to be in public health, and I never figured to have "director" in my title. I've come to believe that, in order to accomplish the things I want to accomplish, I need to keep learning new skills.
Those who decide to work on it, learn it. Sustained effort trumps talent. I remember a study about success in music: the predictive factor wasn't talent, it was the amount of time spent practicing (duh).
The vast majority of the roughly 1,000 people who have enrolled in the Management Academy for Public Health have never written a business plan before-- but all of the graduates wind up writing one. And our graduation rate is 94%! Adults can learn. You may learn by reading, or studying a mentor, or taking a class. Many adults learn by setting themselves a challenge to try something new (especially if it is something that is really important and relevant to their job).
Writing a business plan can be that challenge for you. If so I hope the book, and this blog, help you stay on track!
--Steve Orton
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