Not all practice is the same nor equally beneficial.

Some practice is no more than merely playing or conditioning.

The reality with most practice is that we focus on the things that we enjoy doing the most, which are typically the things that we are already good at. It is like an athlete engaging in a scrimmage. Sure, there are advantages of this kind of practice, but it does not provide as much opportunity for the brain to engage in the practice as it does the muscles. And, unfortunately, it creates potentially detrimental muscle memory of skills not yet well developed.

K. Anders Ericsson, who has done extensive research into the benefits of different kinds of practice suggests that when playing a game, you get only a single change to make a shot from any given location. You don’t get to figure out how you can correct mistakes.

Think of a golfer who always just plays golf by themselves and never watches others golf and never goes to the practice range. They can use their score as an indicator of whether their game is improving, but how will they know which aspect of their game (driving, iron shots, pitches, chips, putts, sand shots, etc) needs improving if they don’t keep some simple stats and then deliberately practice those aspects of their game that add the most strokes. But even just going to the driving range and hitting balls aimlessly will do nothing more than provide some conditioning benefit while potentially reinforcing bad habits while extending the learning curve.

All learning starts with awareness. We all have some degree of self-awareness, but that will only take us so far. Playing and practicing with others—especially with the assistance and direction of coaches and mentors—provides increased awareness and accelerates learning and the development of skills. We need to be open to feedback and, better yet, ask for it.

The best form of practice is an approach called deliberate practice, which involves purposeful and systematic practice. In golf this involves picking a target, measuring the distance, consistently lining up shots—potentially with an alignment stick, having somebody watch and provide feedback—or use a video camera, etc.

Deliberate Practice is a form of intentionality and most people will not do it because it requires additional effort and is not [seemingly] as much fun. But intentionality is all about doing the little things that are as easy to do as not to do and from which the results are not easy to measure in the short term. Hence why most don’t engage in deliberate practice.

Ericsson has determined that deliberate practice involves two kinds of learning: improving the skills you already have and extending the reach and range of your skills.

Deliberate Practice also requires intentional concentration. The famous violinist Nathan Milstein wrote, “Practice as much as you can with concentration.” His mentor, Professor Auer, suggested, “It really doesn’t matter how long you practice. If you practice with your fingers, no amount is enough. If you practice with your head, two hours is plenty.”

Ericsson notes that across a wide range of experts, including athletes, novelists, and musicians, very few appear to be able to engage in more than four or five hours of high concentration and deliberate practice at a time.

Great Leaders understand that deliberate practice not only shortens a learning curve but allows others to achieve much more of their personal best. That is why great leaders provide valuable feedback while challenging others to stretch beyond their comfort zone.

Gain more insights from K. Anders Ericsson’s Harvard Business Review article, The Making of an Expert.

Herb Mast is a Leadership Coach and Employee Engagement Specialist. Learn how he can assist you in implementing the principles and concepts presented here.