“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
– John F. Kennedy
As a leader, you are responsible for the success of your organization and the development of all those you represent. Most successful leaders consider the growth of their personnel to be of the highest priority and worthy of constant direct involvement. Whether it be hosting regular seminars, getting more involved in hiring, or taking measures to clearly express company culture, direct teachings from leaders appears to be a necessity in development. However, many times unsuccessful leaders take these steps, but fail to properly engage in self-development, leading to a ripple effect throughout the entire organization.
It may seem counterintuitive to spend less time lecturing and more time on oneself, but the results of efficient self-development can often have an even stronger effect on others compared to direct teaching. Of course, knowledge can be gained by directly informing others, but it can come at the expense of developing yourself as a leader. Failing to constantly grow as a leader can cause stagnation and eventually diminish your ability to lead effectively.
What does efficient self-development look like in this regard? Everything done to enhance one’s leadership ability should be understood as a consistent, proactive process. One should seek out different areas of productive information; whether by viewing webinars, reading books, talking to other leaders, or reflecting on past practices. A leader who pursues growth and stability should always be absorbing multiple diverse areas of knowledge.
Though this may seem a more indirect method of leadership, it plays a large part in direct leadership practices. Investing in yourself and utilizing relevant knowledge, equips you to lead effectively and efficiently when times of direct involvement become necessary. On top of this, making this process open and visible for others to see your growth in measurable terms can have a lasting effect on your whole organization. Prioritizing self-development inspires others to seek the same sort of growth in their life, resulting in a stronger, more effective collective.
Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
The world’s leading business advisory and executive coaching organization
