We Live and Learn - or do we?

This morning, walking the dog (a cockapoo who thinks he owns the park), we passed two older ladies having a proper laugh. One turned to the other with a cheeky grin and said, “We live and learn, don’t we?” . What they were laughing about I have no idea! but the encounter made me smile, and the phrase ‘We Live and Learn’ really made me think!

The phrase seems totally obvious, but I believe most of us don’t really consider how much we have learnt; and can learn as we live our lives. We constantly learn at work, at play and sometimes even relaxed in front of the tv.

TAKE ACTION - FACE UNCERTAINTY - ADAPT

The reason the phrase made such an impact is due to a problem I have considered for a long time.

Following training in LEAN Six SIGMA or Project Management, there will inevitably be students that during the course appear to be really enthusiastic and get the subject matter, but fail to use what they have learnt back in the workplace. i.e. they fail to take action and face the uncertainty of taking new approaches.

They become like ‘Rabbits in headlights’ essentially stuck in their normal practices and behaviours.

Learning in Action

This ties directly into the difference between learning and learning. You can’t improve a process or solve a problem by reading about it forever. Sure, theory’s important. (You wouldn’t want a surgeon who skipped anatomy class.) But mastery comes when you roll your sleeves up and apply what you know.

Take DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control) from Six Sigma, and PDCA (plan, do, check Act) from LEAN are all about doing—making changes, measuring the impact, and learning what works (or what doesn’t). It’s why Lean Six Sigma thrives on problem-solving and experimentation. You spot a gap, you try something, and you learn—either by succeeding or by discovering what doesn’t work.

Overcoming the Rabbit-in-Headlights Syndrome

So why do some students freeze when it’s time to apply what they’ve learned? Often, it’s fear—fear of getting it wrong, fear of looking silly, fear of failure. But here’s the thing: failure is the best teacher. That’s why I encourage leaders, project managers, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belts to foster a culture where acting and learning are celebrated, even if things don’t go to plan.

Final Thought

Remember, every time you "Plan, Do, Act and Check" you live and learn. Every failed experiment, awkward meeting, or unexpected roadblock builds your skills. To those business leaders, project managers, and Lean Six Sigma pros reading this: don’t just think—act. Stop waiting for the perfect plan. Take the next step, experiment, and learn as you go.

After all, as that cheeky lady in the park reminded me: We live and learn, don’t we?

PLAN - DO - CHECK - ACT

Plan	Implement the plan on a small scale to test its effectiveness
Do	Evaluate the results by comparing them to the objectives set in the Plan phase.
Check	If the solution works, standardise and implement it on a larger scale. If not, refine and go through the cycle again.
Act	If the solution works, standardise and implement it on a larger scale. If not, refine and go through the cycle again.