Collective Learning Leads to Brilliance

In our daily work world more and more problems require creative answers.  One of the main reasons is that simple problems . . . problems having to do with behavioral efficiency, are now handled by machines, robots or sophisticated tools of various types.  Consequently, the remaining problems faced by fabricators and builders are becoming more and more complex, requiring more advanced cognitive skills, more wrestling with concepts and calculations.   

So how do you get crews of welders, fitters, operators, and ironworkers to develop creative solutions to tough unforeseen problems missed during the project design process, and in the process, saving days, and sometimes weeks, of wasted time waiting for solutions from on high?  The answer is by exercising our uniquely human aptitude for collective learning.  This is different from “brain storming”, or group discussions.  Collective learning is a term coined by David Christian, historian at San Diego State University, and to which I have applied a variant for crew training.  It is, at its center, about putting teaching, listening and learning back into our daily work.  Instead of making human beings into machines, we train them to spread ideas, steal concepts, change and rearrange the status quo.  Yes, initially this results in a loss in efficiency.  But given a reasonable duration for mastering collective learning skills, an amazing thing happens . . . efficiency goes sky high.  Its efficiency through working smarter, not faster.  

This process takes a little patience, but the end result is a new level of workmanship which leaves customers and clients demanding we “take their future jobs.”  This summer, due to the incredibly creative solutions our crews brought to an Alaska Marine Project, the General Contractor demanded we take (3) more jobs, which is a nice problem to have, yes?  Oh, and by the way . . . we weren't the low bidder, but we were the best.