“You need self-control and that forms part of your capacity to learn”

Pilar Llácer, the Director of EAE’s Future of Work Centre, reflected that “you need self-control and that forms part of your capacity to learn”, by way of summary at the end of the round table held on 30th September as part of the Employability Conference: Inspiring Your Future, organized by the Professional Careers Department of EAE Business School Madrid.

The conference was introduced by Federica Assandria, the Director of Professional Careers, and Antonio Rodriguez Ruibal, the Dean of EAE Business School Madrid, who both welcomed all the attendees and thanked them for taking part.

The main topic on which the round table focused was learnability, the capacity to learn of people within companies and how this impacts their professional and personal progress.

Pilar Llácer chaired the round table, the panel of which included: Neus Portas, the Founder of Learnability Hub, Creator of the Lean Talent® method, Director of the Advanced Program “Talent and Learning Culture” at La Salle IGS and Co-Author of “Learning Rebellion in Times of Stillness”; Pablo Flores Chacártegui, the Director de People and Employee Experience, and Executive Coach at Paramount; Rute Silva Pereira, the Head of People at Trucksters; and Inés Plaza Conde, the Director of Human Resources at the Luxury Division of L’Oréal Spain & Portugal.

The first topic discussed at the round table was learnability and how it applies in companies. Neus Portas explained that, nowadays, “the pace of learning has changed and there is little time to learn”, so “lifelong learning and continuous applicability is the key”.

The panel also talked about the importance of sharing knowledge within companies. Pablo Flores reflected on the fact that learning has now changed so much and so fast that it is crucial to share it. “Before, knowledge was gathered and stored, but now it is essential to share it and that is really valuable for companies, the knowledge that their team possesses and their ability to share it.”

Another topic addressed by the round table was the competencies in demand from companies, beyond the capacity to learn. On this issue, Neus highlighted that "a fundamental point is that everybody has to work in line with their own values” because “when somebody wants to make a change in their career it is because the work they were doing was not aligned with their values”.

Meanwhile, Pablo emphasized curiosity as another essential competency, as “these days, we need innovation, which requires people with a great deal of curiosity”.

Lastly, Pilar Llácer asked how to detect whether a candidate has this capacity to learn and curiosity in a personal interview.

Rute gave the point of view of a start-up and, on this matter, she explained that “in these cases, what they are looking for is a person with communication skills, the capacity to work in different languages, companies, etc., as well as effective management in terms of their work and team”.

Inés from L’Oréal then went on to underline the importance of embracing storytelling to present your CV, as it sets you apart from the rest of the candidates with the same level of qualifications as you. “The difference comes down to the people and the will they have to learn and keep growing”.

At the end of the round table, Fernando Botella, a professional conference speaker, gave a talk entitled “Dare to Innovate”.

Fernando emphasized that, in order to move forward in life, it is crucial to continue learning and dare to innovate. “Learning gives you light that you can shine on the path ahead in times of darkness”.

The speaker sketched a map of the situation of change and transformation that we are currently undergoing, “which requires a new mindset. We cannot tackle the new with the knowledge of the old”. He went on to stress that “in an age of change, in the end, it is the person who knows how to develop learning exponentially who will succeed”.

Moreover, he explained that, to tackle an age of changes effectively, it is important to adapt to the new situation, but “what is even more essential is to think disruptively: you have to be the one who initiates the change and sets the pace yourself”. He also remarked that, in order to break through the limits, you have to do things in a different way to how they used to be done. To achieve this, “ it is vital to develop talent and train”.

Fernando Botella concluded the session by emphasizing that, to succeed in life, you need “drive, commitment and determination".

The event finished with a round of speed interviews with internationally renowned headhunters for any students who were open to new professional opportunities.

The main objective of this event was to give the students insight into talent management strategies and new competencies, as well as enhancing the skills required to boost their professional careers.