What’s Your Approach to Continuous Learning as a Leader?
In the fast-paced world of leadership, staying sharp and informed is crucial. We’ve gathered insights from CEOs and Executive Coaches, among others, on how to continuously evolve in their roles. From reading industry-specific books, articles, and journals to seeking knowledge through higher education, discover the diverse strategies in these eleven expert responses.
- Read Books, Articles, and Journals
- Reflect to Stay Strategic and Relevant
- Gain Insights from Think Tanks
- Monitor Industry Updates and Trends
- Be a Knowledge Sponge
- Iterate and Refine through Pilot Projects
- Expand Learning through Networking
- Learn by Coaching Others
- Upgrade Skills with Online Learning
- Earn Trust by Valuing Staff Feedback
- Seek Higher Education
Read Books, Articles, and Journals
Staying updated and continuously learning in my leadership role is crucial for both personal and organizational growth. I regularly read industry-specific books, articles, and journals to stay informed about the latest trends and best practices. Attending conferences and networking events allows me to connect with other leaders and gain new insights.
I also participate in online courses and webinars to develop new skills and enhance my existing ones. Engaging with a mentor or coach provides valuable guidance and feedback on my leadership approach. Regularly seeking feedback from colleagues and team members helps me identify areas for improvement. Finally, staying curious and open-minded ensures I remain adaptable and responsive to the evolving needs of my role and the organization.
Ryan Crittenden
CEO, Coach, XL Coaching and Development
Reflect to Stay Strategic and Relevant
One of the best ways to continue learning and stay effective as a leader is through regular reflection. This reflection should address your leadership performance, how well your team connects with you, and your team’s overall results.
In today’s rapidly changing business environment, where priorities can shift quickly, leaders need to be adaptable in their learning. By understanding current situations, you can pinpoint gaps that may require new approaches, leadership styles, or communication techniques. This allows you to strategically choose the areas for your development.
Taking time for regular reflection on your experiences, decisions, and outcomes will help you improve and stay strategic, relevant, and up-to-date.
Nannapat Sage
Executive Coach, Potentia
Gain Insights from Think Tanks
I make a concerted effort to participate in external think tanks and innovation hubs, which connect me with leaders from different industries. This exposure to varied business models and management styles provides fresh perspectives that enhance my strategic thinking and decision-making.
Additionally, these interactions often lead to collaborative opportunities that further our organization’s growth and innovation, keeping our strategies aligned with global business trends and technological advancements.
Alari Aho
CEO and Founder, Toggl Inc
Monitor Industry Updates and Trends
Staying ahead in the fast-paced finance industry requires a relentless pursuit of knowledge. I prioritize staying updated through a combination of industry analysis, networking, and continuous learning.
Closely monitoring economic trends, regulatory changes, and emerging financial technologies ensures our strategies align with market dynamics. Building strong relationships with industry peers and mentors provides invaluable insights and fosters innovation. I also invest time in professional development, attending conferences, webinars, and pursuing relevant certifications to expand my skill set.
I believe in the power of data-driven decision-making. Leveraging analytics and technology can identify new opportunities, optimize processes, and mitigate risks. Ultimately, a growth mindset is essential for thriving in this industry. Embracing change and encouraging innovation within my team are key to driving success and staying ahead of the competition.
Gary Hemming
Commercial Lending Director, ABC Finance Limited
Be a Knowledge Sponge
Staying sharp as a leader is like trying to keep up with a speeding train. There’s always something new to learn, new trends to catch, and fresh perspectives to consider. So, I make it a point to be a total sponge. I read a ton—books, articles, blogs, you name it. I listen to podcasts, attend webinars, and even take online courses. It’s not just about industry news, either. I’m curious about everything. You never know when something random might spark a new idea.
But it’s not just about consuming information. I’m a big believer in learning by doing. I love to mentor and coach my team. Teaching others helps solidify my knowledge, and it’s super rewarding to see them grow. And I’m not afraid to step outside my comfort zone. Whether it’s taking on a new project or trying a different leadership style, it keeps things exciting and helps me learn and adapt.
Daisy Cabral
Dynamic CEO, Bella All Natural
Iterate and Refine through Pilot Projects
We frequently run pilot projects to test these new concepts, which can range from adopting new software to refining our internal processes. These projects are designed to be small-scale and low-risk, allowing us to experiment without significant repercussions. This practical exposure is invaluable, as it provides direct insights into what works and what doesn’t, based on real-world outcomes.
Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of rapid iteration. After each pilot project, we conduct thorough reviews to assess the results and identify areas for improvement. This iterative approach helps us refine our strategies and tools continuously. Feedback plays a pivotal role in this process. I actively seek input from my team and peers, fostering an environment where constructive criticism is welcomed and valued. Regular feedback sessions and open communication channels ensure that everyone’s perspectives are heard and considered.
Dinesh Agarwal
Founder, CEO, RecurPost
Expand Learning through Networking
As a professional, I’ve discovered that networking allows me to meet new individuals from various backgrounds. These exchanges have provided me with several learning opportunities. I’ve discovered that the more my network expands, the more I can learn from others. In my experience, there is always someone who has gone before me and can share vital insights and lessons.
Even individuals who are at the same stage in their journey as I am can provide distinct viewpoints. I make it a point to always be willing to talk to everybody, regardless of position or experience level. I’m always amazed and delighted by how much I can learn from these conversations. This strategy has greatly aided my professional development and understanding of the industry.
Rebecca Xing
CEO, Trustana
Learn by Coaching Others
When you are the coach or mentor, you actually learn a lot about yourself, and also how best to lead. Coaching and training others not only benefits your team but also exposes you to diverse perspectives and fresh ideas from your mentees.
Engaging in coaching sessions requires you to stay informed about the latest trends, tools, and techniques in leadership to provide relevant and effective guidance. This ongoing interaction with emerging leaders can highlight new challenges and opportunities in leadership, keeping your own skills and knowledge sharp and up-to-date.
The process of training others also reinforces your understanding of leadership principles and practices. As you explain and demonstrate these concepts, you solidify your own expertise and identify areas for your improvement. This reciprocal relationship between teaching and learning helps you stay agile and adaptable in your leadership role, ensuring that you remain effective and relevant in guiding your organization through anything.
Josh Bluman
Co-Founder, JJ Suspenders
Upgrade Skills with Online Learning
I take online courses and join webinars. They help me learn new skills and become a better leader. Being curious and willing to learn helps me lead my company better.
Andrew Merrick
Owner & CEO, Aquasoltech
Earn Trust by Valuing Staff Feedback
As a division manager, the most important thing is to stay up-to-date on our employees. It’s critical that our employees and staff know that we care about them and that we want them to have a great work-life balance and a great experience working for our company. So, we’re always getting feedback from them and seeing what we can do to implement that feedback into our day-to-day work life. This shows them that we care and that we’ll go out of our way to ensure a positive, accommodating work life.
Being well-read on academic books on business and leadership is great. But ultimately, your staff will decide if you are a good leader, and earning their trust and implementing their feedback will earn that trust.
Jeff Neal
Manager, Witmer Coatings
Seek Higher Education
As a leader, it is important to constantly seek out new information and knowledge in order to stay updated and adapt to the ever-changing business landscape. This can be achieved by attending workshops, conferences, and seminars relevant to your industry or leadership skills. Additionally, you can also consider enrolling in online courses or pursuing higher education through executive programs.
Aside from gaining external knowledge, it is equally important for leaders to engage in self-reflection. Take time to evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses as a leader and identify areas where you can improve. This could include seeking feedback from colleagues or conducting self-assessment exercises.
Zach Shepard
Principal, Braddock Investment Group Inc
