How to Become a Great Leader: Keep Learning
Great leaders choose a posture of learning and a way of living that says, I have more to see, more to hear, and more to understand.
But this kind of learning is more nuanced than it seems. It is not just about collecting more knowledge or adding to your skill set. Many leaders keep learning, but often only within their own comfort zones. The learning that truly shapes great leadership is the kind that seeks out unlikely voices and unexpected perspectives.
“Once you stop learning, you start dying.”
Amidst the tensions and demands of leadership, it is natural to refine and narrow who and what speaks into your life. However, humans have propensity to be drawn to the encouragement of what is familiar and affirming. Over time we can unintentionally surround ourselves with people who agree with us, teams who will not challenge us, or learning materials that confirm what we already believe.
The problem is that these echo chambers stunt growth and limit potential. Confirming voices may feel empowering, but they skew your perspective and lead to shallow outcomes. Great leaders resist this pull. They are willing to learn from the uncomfortable, the unfamiliar, and even the unlikely.
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
Leaders who are intentionally seeking new input shape a leadership approach that is alive with possibility. They believe in the people around them and make space for their contributions. They do not need to be the smartest person in the room. They want feedback and growth, even when it is uncomfortable. They see failure and mistakes as normal parts of learning.
This posture shows up in simple but powerful choices like:
Seeking out mentors or peers who will tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear
Reading and listening beyond your usual circles so you are stretched by new ideas
Asking thoughtful questions of diverse people and really listening to the answers
Reflecting in decision making: What am I missing? Whose perspective is needed?
Expecting to receive correction and experience failure throughout life
Inviting feedback from diverse people, even when it feels uncomfortable
When you model this kind of openness, you set the tone for the culture around you. Teams and communities mirror what their leaders embody. If you are defensive and closed off, others will hide mistakes and silence their ideas. If you are curious and humble, others will take risks, share their perspectives and grow.
This kind of leadership creates expansive cultures, places where people are free to grow, experiment, learn and become more of who they are. And it begins with you.
With you in the journey,
Justine
Reflection question:
Consider the ways you currently learn. Do you have diverse voices speaking into your life and work? Consider ways you can open yourself up to voices and learning that are more diverse.