Why ‘Self-Educators’ Are the Most Valuable Team Members, According to Steven Bartlett

In a recent LinkedIn post, Steven Bartlett, a prominent entrepreneur and investor, highlights the critical importance of continuous learning and adaptability in today’s rapidly changing professional landscape. He argues that the most valuable individuals in any team are those who proactively engage in self-education, a trait he actively seeks and promotes within his own ventures.

Bartlett contrasts the past with the present, noting how knowledge once had a longer shelf life. “Twenty years ago, you could learn something once and dine out on that knowledge for a decade,” he writes, illustrating how stable answers to questions like “how to build a website” or “what’s the best marketing tactic” were once commonplace. This stability, however, is rapidly eroding.

“The correct answer to almost any tactical question expires within months, I think soon it will be days.”

He references futurist Ray Kurzweil’s predictions of the 21st century experiencing an unprecedented rate of technological progress, potentially leading to a “Singularity” around 2045. This accelerating pace of change, Bartlett asserts, renders traditional educational models and static knowledge insufficient for long-term success.

The Obsolescence of Static Knowledge

According to Bartlett, the traditional pathways to expertise, such as university degrees and books, are becoming less effective because the information they impart can become outdated by the time it is consumed. The core challenge for professionals today is not just acquiring knowledge, but continuously updating it.

This necessitates a fundamental shift in how individuals approach their careers and professional development. Bartlett emphasizes that the ability to remain a student throughout one’s entire life is paramount. He likens learning to a “life long sport” that requires daily practice, regardless of one’s current level of success or comfort.

“Some people’s rate of learning and commitment to learning ended when they left school….this approach worked when the landscape was static. But it’s a losing strategy when the ground moves beneath you at the speed in which it is right now.”

Bartlett shares personal observations from his own teams, noting that his fastest promotions were not given to those with the most impressive resumes, but to individuals who demonstrated an innate drive to learn independently.

Identifying the ‘Self-Educator’

He provides specific examples of team members who embodied this self-educator mindset. These individuals were often found outside of their core responsibilities, voluntarily acquiring new skills and knowledge.

• Grace Miller, who pursued psychology out of curiosity about human behavior.
• Matt Toland, who learned to code on weekends to explore process automation.
• Isaac Martin, who experimented with new tools to understand their capabilities.

These examples, Bartlett points out, reveal a pattern: the highest performers were actively “obsoleting themselves before anyone else could obsolete them.” This proactive approach to skill development and knowledge acquisition is what he believes will differentiate those who thrive in the future.

Embracing Beginner’s Mindset

Bartlett challenges readers to consider their own comfort with uncertainty and the prospect of being a beginner again. He posits that the ability to quickly abandon and question existing knowledge is a key differentiator for future success.

“I think what separates the people who will thrive in this new world is how quickly they can abandon and question what they know. How comfortable are you being a beginner again next week?”

He further praises individuals who take career breaks to pursue further education, even amidst successful careers, citing this as a powerful indicator of a commitment to lifelong learning. Bartlett concludes by defining the self-educator not by their formal schooling or reading habits, but by their enthusiasm for acknowledging and addressing their own ignorance.

Ultimately, Steven Bartlett advocates for a deliberate focus on identifying and nurturing individuals with a strong self-educator mentality, suggesting it is a crucial strategy for navigating the complexities of the modern business world.