Four years ago I came across a word that defined my learning process.

Autodidact.

It means a self-taught person. As in Google University, Udemy Academy, Youtube Masterclasses. That gritty person who refuses to allow a lack of knowledge or expertise stand in the way of a solution.

What I've learned about being an Autodidact is that we have a unique ability to find or create solutions in areas outside of our normal role.

Oftentimes people refer to autodidacts on teams as the superhero, the person that comes through in the clutch with a solution that "saves the day".

But here's a dirty little secret. We don't always want to be the superhero.

Don't get me wrong, we have no issue paving the way with new ideas and solutions, but once we pave the way, others are expected to step up and start traveling on the new path as well.

Autodidacts love solving interesting problems but there is a balance between the problem being "interesting" and other team members just not wanting to put forth effort to learn.

Time for a moment of self reflection.

Are you on a team that frequently celebrates an individual for going "above and beyond", finding solutions to hard problems, or is just that go to team member?

What's stopping you from stepping up and taking the lead next time?

If that person won the lottery and stopped showing up who would step up in their place?

The best part about being an autodidact is that anyone can do it.

Find a problem or area that you are passionate about and learn how to solve problems within the space.

There can and should be more than one super hero on a team.

Step up and share the cape.