TRE Roots: Root #21 – Seek Knowledge

If it doesn’t make sense, ask questions. Healthy, respectful debate creates better solutions. Be curious and open to other perspectives, broadening your own learning, and encouraging all to participate in problem-solving.

Seek Knowledge is an important Root for our work due to the varied and individual needs of the people we support. It is also important due to the complex rules, regulations, and systems within which we must work. In order to Put People First, we must seek knowledge. We cannot assume that we know what one person needs just because we have supported another person with similar needs. We also cannot assume our current perspective can’t be broadened.

Seeking knowledge is a behavior seen in lifelong learners, people who want to continually broaden their knowledge and perspective. Seeking knowledge is important for Clarifying Expectations and Listening Generously. You must seek to understand and clarify expectations that are being established in order to be able to honor your commitment to those expectations. In addition, you are seeking knowledge if you are truly listening generously to varied perspectives and ideas. It is the open sharing and listening to varied perspectives that support us in building the most effective solutions for each individual person we support.

Seeking knowledge is an action-oriented behavior. It requires that you take steps to gain additional knowledge or perspectives. It may require that you look in places that you don’t normally frequent to find varied perspectives. If someone is not sharing their perspective, it may require that you ask them more directly to share – you’ll recall our discussion on Speak Straight. Speak straight emphasized the need to directly state your perspective with a high level of personal care for the other person. This supports healthy and respectful debate which leads to better solutions.

Seeking knowledge also supports us in our career path. When we continually seek knowledge, we are working to Improve Relentlessly and expand our own skills and abilities. We also use this in support of our efforts to Have a Collaborative Spirit and support our team and the organization to provide the highest quality in person-centered service delivery.

Finally, I see seeking knowledge as a way to validate my own thinking, evolve my thinking as I learn, and demonstrate the value I see in what others bring to the table that elevates our effectiveness. Learner is one of my top 5 strengths in the StrengthFinders tool. I listen to podcasts and read books or articles on a regular basis. In addition, I find that discussing various topics that I want to learn helps my learning even more. My desire to do these activities is closely tied to my desire to Look Ahead and Anticipate. When I was younger though, I was hesitant to admit when I didn’t understand something or didn’t know something. I had a need for perfection which actually limited my learning. As I’ve become more comfortable with what I don’t know, I’ve become more open and able to learn.

As you go through your work, consider the following:

• Talk within your team about the varied strengths in the knowledge that each member brings to the team. How do those strengths enhance the team’s effectiveness? What areas of knowledge does your team need to pursue further?
• Reflect personally on your learning style. How do you learn best? What areas would you like to increase your knowledge and perspective? What is the career path you want to pursue?
• Share stories or videos that demonstrate the importance of Seeking Knowledge.