Learning and Leadership: Commitment to a Life of Study

A few years ago, I was asked at the “last minute” to deliver a keynote speech before a group, because the original speaker had become ill.

I knew scant little about the exact subject matter. I wasn’t sure how I was going to approach it.

Then I remembered that all I really had to do was learn just a little more about the topic, and incorporate things I could add from my life experience, before the big event. I even called a mentor and asked a few questions, making sure I was on-topic.

As a leader, one of your responsibilities should be to stay ahead of the learning curve when it comes to your knowledge and skills related to your industry.

That means you should read more, take more courses, and listen to more ideas than those you lead. But that doesn’t mean you need to know everything; you just need to know more about the important things.

True success comes by staying ahead of the curve

True leadership begins with a commitment to learning. Until they find a way to plug us in and upload information like in “The Matrix”, we’re left to follow certain disciplines for learning. And in order for us to take hold of our role as leaders, we must stay one step ahead of our people.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Assess the needs of your team to determine what knowledge and skills lacking.
Investigate the available sources for training in the areas that are most needed and take a course so you are prepared to lead the change effort.
Begin with your team leaders and gradually impart the learning by modeling the new behaviors and attending training with them.

As your knowledge and skills increase, your team will respect you more and trust your leadership!