“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”
― Anthony J. D'Angelo
Lifelong learning has always been an integral part of human development. Without an open attitude towards education, individuals, organisations and businesses risk falling behind their competition. It fits, then, that an emphasis on learning is a common thread throughout history: from Socrates, who assured us that “an unexamined life is not worth living”; to Albert Einstein, who allegedly stated that “once you stop learning, you start dying”; to contemporary author Anthony J. D’Angelo and his quote above.
Yet, it is not until more recently that corporations and businesses have recognised the value of prioritising learning and development (L&D) for their employees. Continuous learning attracts top talent and is proven to improve productivity, extend employee longevity, and reinforce company values.
Since Component Sense began, an emphasis on continual improvement has been written into our company culture. Our EPIC values are upheld by an enthusiasm for learning and a dedication to growth. Not only does our team come together for our monthly book club discussions, but we listen to self-improvement podcasts, challenge ourselves in team-building activities, and encourage team members to pursue relevant formal further education.
One shining example of the value of continued learning is Grant Rutherford, who recently celebrated his 15-year anniversary as a member of the Component Sense team! Grant joined the company while studying for his Business Studies and Computing Science undergraduate degree at the University of Stirling. Since then, he has gone from working part-time alongside CEO Kenny McGee to becoming Chief Technology Officer and a company director and shareholder.
Grant is the first to admit that people skills were not his strength when he first joined Component Sense. When asked how he developed his ability to manage people and a full IT department, Grant underlines that it is down to his commitment to learning. “I already had an introduction to management styles through my BA,” he says, “but I then did leadership courses with Vistage and CeeD. I tried to learn as much as I could about communication, people management, and emotional intelligence.” After honing his skills over fifteen years, Grant now says that his management style is to “give people the autonomy to try and fail and succeed themselves, all within a safe space.”
Recent years at Component Sense have seen the company experience huge levels of expansion. How was Grant forced to adapt to the company’s growth?
“Well, more structure was needed,” he says, “which presents both positives and negatives. We have focused on developing the processes of the business, including building our bespoke CRM system. Component Sense is ready to scale, and I feel positive that we will achieve our ambitious growth goals by 2030. Most importantly, we are really strict on who we bring into the company so that we can keep our EPIC culture. All of our team are EPIC and are in turn eager to keep learning. I feel positive about this mix of people and process!”
At Component Sense, a focus on continuous development is what keeps our team fresh, motivated, and feeling valued. We would love to know: how do you incorporate lifelong learning into your management style, business, or daily routine? Why not connect with us on social media to share — we look forward to hearing your insights!