Mind the Gap

In England specifically, this topic is very polarising and there is an infatuation from many that knowledge is, and should be, the only focus of our education system.

So, why is knowing all the dates & facts for History, such as The Battle or Hastings in 1066 (the only one I could pull to my mind!), or recalling Pythagoras’ Theorem and memorising Shakespeare’s sonnets the priority over other skills like being creative? Of course, I am not saying that knowledge is not important or needed. If I was looking for a cloud architect, I would not go based on their skills alone, thinking they have vague knowledge of this subject and that they can perhaps watch some Youtube videos or a Coursera short course to brush up in order to do a wonderful job. However, at the other end of the spectrum, there can be the most qualified and knowledgeable person on a subject, but when it comes to communicating with a customer, working with a wider team on the project rather than in isolation, or being able to critically analyse when they face a barrier or bump in the road, this is destined to end badly.

I have spent quite a lot of time recently recruiting into a variety of roles and one thing which jumps out immediately is the ability of some amazingly qualified people to be able to communicate effectively and also apply their learning to the context or situation. Why is that? Why do we not support them more with these skills, not only for interviews but also to show their value in everyday life, during their learning and beyond?

I get asked what qualifications I have which got me into the role of CEO of an edtech company. The simple answer is really none. My degree, which I completed many, many years ago, is a 2:2 in Physical Education (my original career being a PE teacher, so it’s well suited). If I am honest, until I completed a Help to Grow leadership course through Leeds University Business School, formal education has not been one which has suited me at all! But I do have a passion for learning and, through being curious and asking questions, I have developed some skills which lend themselves to this role.

I feel that I am creative and a creative thinker; I’m big picture and although I am not musical (I do love to sing but only in private to save the eardrums of anyone else), and not arty either, the context of my creativity is to generate innovative ideas (often with the help of others to help shape this thinking) and solve problems.

Collaboration is something I have always believed in, probably from my life spent infatuated with team sports. If you know me you will have no doubt heard me say that collaboration is key and that innovation often comes from a network or collection of diverse ideas. One of my favourite thinkers is Professor Linda Hill from Harvard Business School, who has written and talked extensively about ‘collective genius’ and also how to lead it too. How to manage for collective creativity | Linda Hill | TEDxCambridge).

Now, apply that to the current rigidity of the education system and the exams which are taking place for many young people as I write this. As the wonderful @SirKenRobinson asked ‘Are Schools Killing Creativity?’ I think they are also stifling the talents of many young people for the sacrifice of grades which in the current world only serve to take people from school, to the next level, and then, most likely, university. I think we need to mind this skills gap as we are in huge danger of falling into it!

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