What is "Experiential Development"
A brief background.
Convention tells us that personal development is solely focussed on material success, such as accumulating wealth or achieving career success, without considering other aspects of well-being like emotional intelligence, mental health and overall life satisfaction. Moreover, some outdated perspectives on personal development may promote a static view of people's capabilities, assuming that once you reach a certain age or stage in life, you cannot change or grow further.
As a concept, experiential development has been an integral part of human learning for thousands of years. It’s not something that was merely “invented” at a specific point in time … it’s a part of what makes us human. Primitive humans learned how to hunt, gather food, build shelters and create tools by actively participating in these activities. As humans evolved, experiential learning continued to play a key rold in various fields, including craftsmanship, agriculture and trade.
So when did we forget about experiential learning?
Many attribute the industrial revolution to the downfall of personal development within corporations. Spanning the late 18th and early 19th centuries this explosion of growth within industries saw a shift in focus from worker development to more technical advances. This, in turn, led to a shift of focus aimed primarily on increasing production efficiency and maximising profits. Several factors contributed to this neglect of worker development:
The focus on mass production led to a divison of labour; where workers were assigned repetitive and narrow tasks. This specialisation left workers with limited skills and little room for personal growth.
Workers during this period worked long hours in hazardous environments, The strenuous labour left little time and energy for personal improvement and education.
Companies didn’t prioritise investing in training and development initiaties. Instead they focussed on quick and cheap labour to meet production demands.
It was not until later in the 19th century that labour movements, social reforms, amd evolving societal values bagen to address these issues. As industry societies progressed, the importance of worker development gained recognition, leading to the establishment of vocational schools, trade unions and workplace training programs to empower workers with valuable skills and knowledge.
Who is John Dewey and why do we like him?
American philospher and educator, John Dewey, was an early pioneer for what we now see as modern-day experiental development. Dewey believed in “learning by doing” and argued that education should be connected to real-life experiences and problem-solving; this led to what is now known as “progressive education” which emphasises learning through real-life experiences. His role within the pragmatist movement also strengthens the notion that he was very much interested in the consequence of ideas and actions; arguing that the value of beliefs and theories lies in their usefulness in guiding human experience and solving problems.
Plus…he did have a wonderful moustache!
Why are we talking about experiential development?
It’s what Explore What Matters does! Our programmes are designed around core principles of natural unique experiences, personal reflection and facilitated development. Everything we do is focussed on how development begins with the individual; giving people time and space to learn, explore, reflect and enact life-changing habits in a way they rarely do in busy environments, which in turn will make a positive difference to people, workplaces, society and the planet we live on.
Where possible, we use inspiring natural settings to give people the space and time to slow down, escape typical work pressures and achieve true clarity of thought. Time in nature allows for critical reflection and development of perspective, creativity and deeper connection. We create relevant learning oportunities by translating the latest research from the fields of positive psychology, well-being and leadership development into pragmatic action.
Positive pschology focusses on studying and promoting the positive aspects of human experience and well-being; with an aim to understand and enhance the strengths, virtues and positive emotions that enable individuals and communities to thrive and lead fulfilling lives. What are the fundamental principles you may be asking?
Emphasising, identifying and nurturing individual strengths and talents. By building on these strengths, individuals can achieve greater happiness, productivity and resilliance.
Understanding and cultivating positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, hope and love can lead to improved psychological well-being.
Seeking to understand what it means for individuals to flourish and experience a high level of well-being. It explores factors that contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful life
Examining the benefits of mindfulness practices and the concept of “flow”, which is a state of complete immersion and focus in an activity that brings us joy and a sense of timelessness.
Recognising the importance of positive social connections and the role of supportive relationships in fostering well-being.
Overall, positive psychology aims to contribute to a greater understanding of what makes life worth living and how individuals and communities can lead happier and more meaningful lives. It compliments traditional psychology by broadening the focus beyond just addressing problems and deficits to include the persuit of positive experiences, character strengths and personal growth.
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