What does the Grinch have to do with learning and development?
At its heart, The Grinch’s story is a paean to learning and development (L&D). You may be wondering if we can seriously include Grinch and L&D in the same sentence. Well, Christmas is a strange season. Starting out as a misanthropic recluse with a small heart and destructive nature, the Grinch embarks on a journey of growth and transformation through trial and error and a little calculated Christmas sabotage. Admittedly, his development was more personal than professional, but there are still some great L&D lessons to learn from the popular Dr. Seuss character, no matter what field you’re targeting.
So if you’re starting your own learning and development journey, or your role directly relates to designing great L&D experiences for others, here’s how the Grinch I’ll give you some tips. Let’s get started.
5+1 Lessons from the Grinch for L&D Leaders and Practitioners
Who would have thought that, aside from his penchant for grand larceny and premeditated crime, the Grinch’s character arc would inspire important L&D lessons for developing growth-oriented behaviors and mindsets?
1. Be authentic
The Grinch is not afraid to be who he is, even if he is ostracized by his peers. Authenticity is actually complex and an essential attribute that requires authenticity and a clear sense of purpose. Despite his packed schedule (gazing into the abyss obviously requires a dedicated time slot), the Grinch takes the time and effort to reflect his vision and bring signs of Christmas joy from the village of Whoville. Create an elaborate plan to achieve your goal of eradication.
Being authentic means staying true to what drives you, acting in accordance with your core values as an individual, and taking steps that are directly aligned with your goals, aspirations, and principles. Of course, this does not mean remaining steadfast or resolute in times of stagnation. Because that’s not what L&D is about. Learning and development is all about the balance between staying true to your identity and acting for your future self. After all, the Grinch’s purpose in stealing Christmas was to enjoy a quiet day. If that’s not thinking about your future self, then what is?
2. Look to the community
The value of community is emphasized throughout the Grinch story, highlighting one of the most important lessons of L&D. We all want to belong somewhere. It’s no different when embarking on your L&D journey. Community has the power to not only move us forward, but also to hold us accountable, teach us valuable lessons, celebrate our successes, and guide us through our failures.
Relying on your community provides strength, comfort, encouragement, and perspective. All of these are essential to overcoming obstacles and continuing to work towards growth. Ultimately, nurturing and prioritizing connections builds a strong foundation to inspire innovation, explore new experiences, and recognize and celebrate diverse perspectives.
3. Growth is always possible
The Grinch’s journey shows us that growth is always possible. Despite his initial malice, his heart has grown into a better, kinder version of himself. Isn’t that what learning and development is all about? L&D is not limited to a specific period of our lives, nor is it an endeavor that is only suitable for certain people in certain situations. Through a motivational and nurturing environment, individuals can build new skills, mindsets, and behaviors from the ground up and work to create broad change in their communities. Growth can come from unexpected sources if you are actually willing to pursue it. The important thing is to strive for progress, not perfection.
4. Challenge your assumptions
Initially, the Grinch thought of Christmas as a time of overconsumption and greed. He believed that ephemeral material objects were the source of Whoville’s joy and holiday cheer. As the story progresses, we discover that the people of Whoville will celebrate no matter what, because Christmas is not just about fancy dinners and decorations. What a great L&D lesson! Challenging your own assumptions paves the way to developing empathy, exploring new perspectives, and understanding the value of critical thinking, collegiality, and communication. Only by overcoming existing concepts through research and evidence-backed insights can we learn and grow as individuals.
5. Learn through experience
Through first-hand experience and reflection, the Grinch learned the error of his ways. This hands-on exercise, a favorite among L&D leaders, is what led him to discover the true meaning of Christmas and the value of community. Rather than observing (and enthusing) Whoville’s celebrations from afar, he understood their perspective when he actually participated in them. By learning through experience, we develop empathy and learn how to relate to others. We combine theory and action to find ways to move beyond our own biases and gain organic knowledge. The L&D lesson here is that you learn more through experience than by being alone.
Bonus: Thank your loyal companions
Max, the Grinch’s faithful dog, embodies true loyalty. He remains devoted throughout the story despite being abused, and it’s impossible to imagine how the Grinch’s journey of learning and growth would unfold without him. Ultimately, Max’s ever-present loyalty emphasizes the importance of friendship and companionship in development and growth.
The Grinch was just beginning to thank his companions as he made his way to the finish line, but Max remained faithfully by his side. Therefore, remember that loyalty deserves recognition. Recognize and celebrate those who support you, especially during difficult times. Without loyal allies, a community, and a support system, no one can move beyond their first steps. Let’s celebrate their hard work and dedication. Because friendships shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Channel your inner Grinch
Don’t break into your neighbor’s house and trample on Christmas decorations or steal presents. Instead, channel your inner Grinch by starting a journey to self-improvement. While certainly unexpected, the Grinch’s lessons are those of true L&D pros. Be authentic, experience new things for learning, challenge your assumptions, and reach out to your community and loyal allies. Just kidding, who knows? If the Grinch can be an L&D thought leader, why can’t you?
