Balancing Challenge and Learning: The 85% Rule in Organisational Learning Strategy

Richard Rumelt's assertion, "The pop-psychology belief is that goals motivate. Stupid arbitrary goals don’t motivate achievement. They motivate cynicism and fabrication," draws our attention to the pitfalls of poorly conceived goals in professional development. This insight dovetails with the intriguing findings of a recent study that emphasises the 'Eighty Five Percent Rule' in the context of learning and development​​.

The 85% Rule in Learning and Development:

The 'Eighty Five Percent Rule,' as identified in the study, suggests that the optimal accuracy for training and learning is around 85%. This means that an error rate of about 15.87% is not just beneficial but optimal for learning processes​​. It's a principle that underscores the importance of challenging tasks to the edge of one's competence - not too hard to cause discouragement, but not too easy to induce boredom​​.

Rumelt's Perspective and the 85% Rule:

Rumelt's perspective on goal-setting aligns with this principle. Setting arbitrary or unrealistic goals in an organisational context can lead to disengagement and a lack of genuine progress. The 85% Rule, however, advocates for a balanced approach – setting goals that are challenging yet achievable, and that encourage learning through manageable mistakes.

Application in Organisational Learning Strategy:

Incorporating the 85% Rule into organisational learning strategy means acknowledging the importance of errors in the learning process. It facilitates a learning environment where trial, error, and iteration are part of the journey towards mastering new skills and knowledge.

Creating a Culture of Growth and Continuous Learning:

Embracing this rule means fostering a culture where progress and learning are valued over perfection. It encourages the development of advanced upskilling programs and customised training solutions that are tailored to the individual's current level of competence, ensuring a steady and impactful learning curve. This mindset is essential in executing impactful upskilling strategies and developing future-proof learning plans.

Conclusion:

Merging Rumelt's insights with the 85% Rule offers a powerful framework for setting and achieving goals in organisational learning and professional development. It's a strategy that balances the challenge with achievable milestones, ensuring that learning is not just a pursuit of perfection but a journey of continuous growth and adaptation.