Thanksgiving is the time of year to reflect on what we are thankful for. While I have much to be personally thankful for this year, I wanted to focus this article on what I am thankful for as a leader – the ability to learn!
Leadership is a Big Responsibility
Leadership is not a destination or a position. It’s one of many roles we play in our life journey. Leadership is also a big responsibility. You lead people in the work they need to do, and you also lead them through an experience that can impact and influence that work.
Because of that big responsibility, leaders need to be active learners. It’s not an option if you want to be successful in your leadership role. You can tout past accomplishments all day long, but if you’re not open to learning, your effectiveness as a leader will suffer. Truth be told, too many times, we think what we’ve already learned will keep us successful in our leadership role. It’s called the leader comfort zone.
Beware of The Leader Comfort Zone
We grow most when we rise to challenges and take risks to seize opportunities, not when we play it safe, hide or make excuses. Have you ever heard yourself saying any of the following?
- “I don’t know how to do that.” Why didn’t you ask for help to learn how to do it?
- “I could have handled that better, but ____ (full in the blank with your reason).” Why didn’t you acknowledge your misstep, apologize, and take steps to learn how to do it better next time?
- “I’m not really a ‘people person’. What does that mean? Is this your excuse for not improving the skills needed to work better with people?
Leader comfort zone? Lost opportunity to learn?
Leadership Challenges and Opportunities
This Thanksgiving, I’m reminding myself of the learning opportunities I have as a leader. If I’m good at something, I don’t want to take it for granted. I want to continue to do it. If I want to learn something new, I want to be intentional about it and be patient because it takes time to learn. And, if I receive constructive feedback, I’ll swallow my pride and allow myself to be vulnerable as I commit to making the needed changes.
If leaders need to be active learners, we can take comfort in that we all leaders have something to learn. I’ve created a list (capped at 20) of challenges and opportunities. Do any of these resonate with you?
- To learn to challenge myself and be comfortable being uncomfortable. You get nowhere standing/running in place.
- To learn to be more observant and more present. Just because you do not see it, does not mean it is not there.
- To learn to trust myself more and also question myself. I must be ok living with that duality.
- To learn be confident and humble, not confident and arrogant. Be self-assured and encouraging feedback.
- To learn be more considerate, compassionate, and empathetic. Showing I care in a way that matters to the other person, not me.
- To learn how to love more and to forgive more. I know people can do amazing things when they are supported and can fail in a safe space.
- To learn new habits and stop doing the things that do not serve me well. Habits are learned and can replaced with better ones.
- To learn how to be less judgmental and more open. I can ask more questions to challenge my thinking.
- To learn how to contribute indifferent ways. There is always something I can do to help.
- To learn about and from people who think differently from me, look differently than me and live differently than me.This is not diversity and inclusion. This is the reality of the world we live in.
- To learn to be honest with myself no matter what. It is what it is, whether I like it or not.
- To learn how to be a better listener. This is one of the greatest gifts I can give to another person.
- To learn how to use my voice to lift people up and bring them together. Every word that comes out of my mouth
- To learn to stand up for the things that will move us forward. Nothing gets better until someone acts.
- To learn to be more patient. There’s incredible power in exercising patience with myself and others.
- To learn be more congruent in my values, decisions, and behaviors. I will need to make tough, unpopular decisions that keep me true to how I want to live my life.
- To learn to tell my story in a way that encourages others to tell theirs. Everyone’s story is important, and we can all learn from each other.
- To learn what is needed to strengthen my body and mind. I need to keep it a priority because no one can do this for me.
- To learn to be productive. I need to be realistic in my expectations, stay focused and protect my time.
- To learn to be good with running my own race at my own pace. I know my journey is unique to me.
This year, as a leader, I am thankful for the ability to learn! Through learning, things change. With change, I can be better and do better and I can change the world around me.
Happy Thanksgiving!