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Entrepreneurship: Navigating the Wicked Learning Environment (Part 1)

Author

Kevin Ng
October 17, 2024




Hi Friends!

Last time, we explored kind learning environments. Today, I want to dive into the other end of the spectrum: wicked learning environments. While all learning environments exist on a continuum, I've found that entrepreneurship stands out as one of the most "wicked" I've experienced.

So, what makes a learning environment "wicked"?
It's essentially the opposite of a kind environment, characterized by:

1. Non-existent or inaccurate feedback

2. Changing rules

3. Non-representative patterns

4. Incomplete information

Let me share some examples from my entrepreneurial journey that illustrate these characteristics:

Inaccurate Feedback: 

Have you ever had a patient who seemed to have a negative experience, only to be left guessing about the real reason? Even when we ask for feedback, we rarely get the full picture. Team members might attribute it to one thing, while the actual cause remains a mystery. It's a constant reminder that in business, we often make decisions without knowing their true outcomes.

Incomplete Information:

As a dentist and business owner, I frequently have to make decisions based on partial information. Patients are often poor historians, giving an incomplete picture of their symptoms. We can't know how they care for themselves at home. The long-term effectiveness of our treatment choices may not be apparent for years or even decades.

Non-representative Patterns:

I once thought pricing would strongly correlate with how demanding a patient would be, assuming that paying more for a service would make someone more exacting. However, I've found there isn't a strong correlation in either direction between pricing and patient demands.

These experiences have shown me that entrepreneurship truly embodies the wicked learning environment. It's a world where clear, immediate feedback is rare, where the rules of the game can change at any moment, and where we're often operating with limited information.

In my next newsletter, I'll dive deeper into how I'm learning to navigate this wicked environment and some strategies I've found helpful.

I'm curious about your experiences. Have you encountered aspects of a wicked learning environment in your work or life? How do you handle making decisions when feedback is unclear or information is incomplete?

Until next time, embrace the wickedness of learning!

Kevin Ng

P.S. Remember, in a wicked environment, adaptability often trumps perfection. What's one way you can become more adaptable this week?

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