What have you been learning lately? That is a question I
hear asked in a lot of leadership circles. And, it's a good one because
of the personally probing nature. Reading a good deal of information
on a regular basis, going to annual conferences, and listening to the
latest podcast are standard resources for leaders in today's world.
Profoundly, however, that is just not enough. Amassing information
without really learning can be nothing more than a waste of time. What
is the material teaching you? How does it fit in your context? What
healthy discussions with your team are coming out of such experiences?
These kinds of questions will help determine if the resource is valuable
in the long run. Learning to better yourself and your organization
distinguishes effective leaders from those who are just going through
the motions, so to speak.
A second factor in
effective leadership takes learning to a next level. Here's a question
that isn't heard as often but could possibly inch close in importance to
the first: What have you learned lately that you are in the process of implementing? Learning
hasn't reached its real significance until it can be applied. The last
thing I want to do is retake a test that I didn't do so well in the
first time around. Passing the proverbial tests of leadership comes
when I apply what I'm learning. So, here's a good formula for raising
your level of effectiveness today: Experience to learn and learn to
apply!
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