The Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Call to Upskill

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) demands a workforce ready to adapt to rapid changes. With digitization marking its sixth decade, we're in the midst of a profound shift. The COVID-19 pandemic has only hastened this transition, pushing organizations to promote remote work, automation, and digital transformation like never before. This revolution, potentially more disruptive than its predecessors, marks a significant leap.

Big changes are happening in how we work, especially with the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the shift to digital. This means we need to learn new skills and knowledge. The jobs of tomorrow will require us to learn new things, and we'll need to work closely with machines and artificial intelligence (AI). Take Amazon, for example. They're automating a lot of their work, which means their employees need to learn new skills to work effectively with robots. Amazon is getting ready to spend almost a billion dollars on teaching their workers new things in the next few years, starting with the 100,000 people who work in their warehouses.

Human Intelligence in the Age of AI

In today's world, businesses are buzzing about the need for "Human Intelligence" alongside Artificial Intelligence. Before COVID-19 shook things up, company leaders were already concerned about a shortage of essential skills. Critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork are becoming even more crucial. Because as AI gets smarter, it needs us humans to make sense of its findings.

In the world of mechanized work, human expertise remains essential for driving machine intelligence forward. While machines excel at certain tasks, they cannot innovate, create, identify errors, or uncover insights independently. According to the World Economic Forum, the most sought-after skills by employers in 2025 mostly revolve around human intelligence, something machines can't fully replicate. Investing in the development of human intelligence within a workforce offers numerous benefits. It enhances agility, resilience, adaptability, and stress resistance.

When businesses and their workers think ahead, they see spending on learning as a smart investment in the future. Take AT&T, for instance. They put aside $1 billion to help their massive workforce of 250,000 people improve their skills and get college degrees. McDonald’s is another example. They put $150 million into a five-year education program for their 400,000 employees back in 2018. Now, Target and Walmart have jumped on board too, announcing similar plans in 2021.

Team's Potential with Self-Determination Theory

Helping your team learn and grow isn't just a nice-to-have – it's a game-changer. When organizations invest in their employees' development, they're not just boosting performance, they're building resilience for whatever challenges come their way. It's all about giving your team the tools to shape their own paths. By creating internal opportunities for growth and making sure everyone's work is meaningful, you're lighting a fire under their motivation. 

It's called Self-Determination Theory, and it's a powerhouse of motivation. 

The Secrets of Learning

In the past two decades, neuroscience has uncovered more about learning than the previous two centuries. Before, philosophers like Plato and Aristotle thought our brains came preloaded with all knowledge, waiting to be accessed through life experiences. But in the 17th century, John Locke shook things up by saying we're born with a blank slate, and learning happens through our actions and reflections.

The 20th century shattered myths about how much we can learn. Experts like Professor Carol Dweck and Dr. Kimberly Noble proved that intelligence isn't fixed. Our brains can keep learning, even as we age. Many still believe the myth that people have specific learning styles. While we might prefer certain ways of learning, stepping out of our comfort zones is key to real growth.

Contemporary teaching methods borrow from older theories like behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism. Behaviorism suggests that rewards and punishments shape learning. Cognitivism builds on existing knowledge to create new understandings. Both cognitivism and constructivism advocate for self-directed learning.

Neuroscience for Better Learning

Old teaching methods still have value, but let's not cling to them like life rafts. In the last twenty years, neuroscience has burst open the secrets of how we learn. It's like getting the cheat codes to our brains! So, don't settle for just regurgitating old stuff. Blend in the new brain science. Think of it as upgrading from a flip phone to a smartphone. Keep evolving your learning game with the latest insights from science.

Brain's Potential for Lifelong Learning

Your brain is a powerhouse of learning potential! No matter your age, your brain is always ready to soak up new knowledge and skills. It's like a muscle that gets stronger the more you use it. your brain is packed with 86 billion neurons, all wired together through trillions of connections called synapses. And get this: your brain can keep making new cells and connections throughout your entire life! It's a process called neuroplasticity, and it means you can keep on learning and growing as long as you're alive.

In the 20th century, psychologist Donald Hebb famously said, "What fires together, wires together." He meant that when you use parts of your brain often, you build stronger connections, which helps you remember and learn better. Nowadays, neuroscience proves Hebb right. It shows that you can keep learning new things no matter your age. In a cool study from 1986, researchers studied nuns and found something fascinating. They learned that when people keep challenging their brains with new stuff, like learning a musical instrument or a new language, it creates fresh pathways in the brain. These new pathways can lower the chances of getting Alzheimer's disease as you get older.

Research suggests that engaging your mind regularly creates more pathways in your brain. Think of these pathways like extra lanes on a highway. They give you reserves to tap into when needed. For example, studies on nuns show that even if they had Alzheimer’s, they didn’t show symptoms because they had these reserves.

 Brain's Potential: Overcoming Severe Damage

Did you know that with determined effort, the brain can reverse severe damage? Take neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor for example. After a stroke left the left side of her brain badly hurt, she didn't give up. Instead, she spent eight years working hard to train the right side of her brain to take over tasks like walking, talking, and thinking. 

Active Learning Principles

Learning is a skill you can master through practice. Believe in your ability to learn, backed by research. Real interest drives learning, not just chasing grades or rewards. Stay open-minded, question everything you learn, and put it into action. Teaching what you learn reinforces your understanding. Reflect on failures to learn and grow.

About 95% of your thinking is done automatically, based on patterns and assumptions you've picked up over time. It's like your brain is on autopilot! The other 5%? That's when you consciously tackle a problem, like solving a puzzle.

Avoid Bias in Learning

Learning can be tricky, especially with biases sneaking in. Here are five tips to keep your learning on track: 

Life isn't always simple, and neither should your thinking be. Don't just go for easy cause-and-effect stories. Accept the complexity and dive deeper into understanding. It's natural to stick to opinions that match yours but challenge yourself to seek out opposing viewpoints. It's like a mental workout that strengthens your understanding and opens your mind to different perspectives. Don't just follow the crowd to fit in. Stay true to your own thoughts and beliefs. Authentic thinking leads to genuine understanding. Trying to control too much can block you from new ideas and experiences. Stay open to change and let innovation flow. Your ego might try to shield you from challenging ideas, but don't let it. Accept discomfort and engage with ideas that push your boundaries. It's how you grow as a learner.

To boost your learning power, tie your goals to who you are and what you believe in. Think about what matters most to you, what you're good at, and what you love. Set a big goal that aligns with your values and interests—it'll keep you going when things get tough. Reflect on your experiences regularly to see patterns and learn from them. Sometimes, forget what you think you know and stay open to new ideas. Challenge yourself by listening to others, asking questions, and testing your assumptions.

Achieve Effective Learning

Learning can be tough, but that's where the magic happens. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive in! The key is to make a plan and set clear goals. Make sure you let people know about your goals.

To truly learn, challenge yourself! Actively seek out new ways to learn and different topics that push your limits. Remember, real learning isn't always easy. Accept the discomfort—it's a sign that you're growing. Mix things up by trying various mediums and approaches. Don't just stick to what's familiar; venture into the unknown. 

Learn in chunks, take breaks, and keep going. Just like when you're learning to ski, you might stumble and feel like giving up but don't. Get back up and keep going.

 Brain's Potential with Healthy Habits

Research in medicine and neuroscience shows that as you get older, your brain gets better at forming strong connections and pathways while getting rid of the ones it doesn't use. You have the power to influence this process! By focusing on three key areas—exercise, diet, and sleep—you can not only halt but reverse the decline of these crucial brain connections.

Fuel your brain with Omega-3-rich foods and cut down on sugary snacks. Stay sharp with mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Don't forget to take breaks from studying to let your brain digest new information and come up with fresh ideas.