The Leader’s Edge: Three Pillars of Continuous Self-Development

Learn. Then, learn some more. Learn about leadership, learn about life. Never stop learning, both personally and professionally. Develop yourself, and give yourself a better chance as a leader!

If you ever come along to one of our two day leadership programs, you will see that the first half day of day 1 is on Learning (Learn, Engage, Accountability, Demonstration – are all 4 elements).

The first part of day 1 is about learning about yourself and learning about others. And learning what drives and motivates you as a leader and what drives and motivates your team.

If I asked most people, they say “you learn something new every day” or “every day is a school day”. I challenge some of those people to help me understand if they are learning on purpose or learning by living. Both are ok, though if you are on purpose, you are intentional about your learning endeavours. You plan it, you schedule it, you learn it. If you are learning by living, you get up and go to bed, and notice a few things have changed along the way.

Learning is about developing yourself. Consistently.

So, what are the three pillars of continuous self-development?

Embrace Lifelong Learning

1. Embrace Lifelong Learning

Why it matters: The most successful leaders are those who never stop learning. The knowledge and skills that got you to your current position might not be enough to sustain your growth or the growth of your organisation in the future.

Actionable Steps:

• Enroll in Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy offer courses tailored for leaders looking to expand their skills in areas such as digital transformation, leadership strategies, and emotional intelligence.
• Read Widely and Often: Devote time to reading books, articles, and journals outside your immediate field to gain diverse perspectives. Consider creating a reading list or joining a book club.
• Attend Workshops and Conferences: Regularly participate in industry conferences and workshops to learn from experts and network with peers.

2. Seek Feedback and Act on It

Why it matters: Feedback is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. It provides insights into your strengths and areas for improvement, helping you to become a more effective leader.

Actionable Steps:

• Implement 360-Degree Feedback: Encourage team members, peers, and superiors to provide honest feedback on your performance. Tools like SurveyMonkey and Qualtrics can facilitate this process.
• Schedule Regular One-on-Ones: Have open, honest discussions with your team members. Use these meetings to solicit feedback and discuss your leadership style and effectiveness.
• Create an Action Plan: After receiving feedback, develop a concrete action plan to address any areas of improvement. Track your progress and adjust as necessary.

3. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Why it matters: Emotional Intelligence is crucial for effective leadership. Leaders with high EQ can manage their own emotions, understand and influence the emotions of others, and build stronger, more resilient teams.

Actionable Steps:

• Practice Self-Awareness: Regularly reflect on your emotions and how they affect your behaviour and decision-making. Journaling can be a helpful tool for this practice.
• Develop Empathy: Make a conscious effort to understand the feelings and perspectives of your team members. This can be achieved through active listening and showing genuine interest in their well-being.
• Enhance Social Skills: Work on building strong interpersonal relationships. This includes effective communication, conflict resolution, and fostering a collaborative team environment.

Conclusion

Continuous self-development is not just a personal journey but a professional imperative. By embracing lifelong learning, seeking and acting on feedback, and cultivating emotional intelligence, leaders can ensure they remain effective and inspirational in their roles.

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UPGRADE your Mindset
UPSKILL your Leadership
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About Anton

Anton has dedicated his working life to helping leaders to upgrade their mindset, upskill their leadership, and uplift their teams! With a focus on helps leaders to better lead under pressure. Anton is an entrepreneur, speaker, consultant, bestselling author and founder of The Guinea Group. Over the past 19 years, Anton has worked with over 175+ global organisations, he has inspired workplace leadership, safety, and cultural change. He’s achieved this by combining his corporate expertise, education (Bachelor of HR and Psychology), and infectious energy levels.

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