LEADERSHIP – To continually succeed, we must continually learn and grow.  Of course, I am not telling any successful person anything you don’t know!  If we stop learning, quit trying new things, and excuse ourselves from challenging adaptation to change, our influence will begin to fade, no matter how remarkable.

For the next several weeks, let’s examine the benefits of learning leadership – no matter how seasoned we are in our careers.

(If you have not yet registered for the SONAR LEADERSHIP in-person training happening this December in Vancouver, BC, now is the time!)

Leaders are People Who Adapt, Learn, Grow, Admit, and Inspire

Effective managers and supervisors know the importance and benefits of overseeing a well-trained team. In addition, these leaders think long-term and understand first-hand the consequences of a poorly trained organization. 

It’s equally important—if not more so—for managers and supervisors to maintain their leadership training and skills development. Leaders must not see professional development as a luxury one does not always have time for. All leaders, whether CEOs, vice presidents, managers, or supervisors, should seek training to continue developing essential professional skills. 

  1. You owe it to yourself and your team

Whether taking online courses, attending workshops, or bringing in coaches for focused training, professional development must be seen as an essential aspect of your evolving professional character. This is especially the case if you are in a leadership role. You not only owe it to yourself but also to those you oversee.

  1. Failure to evolve means falling behind

In this ever-changing world, it is imperative that we not fall behind as leaders by neglecting the need to be continuously learning and growing as professionals. Failure to evolve as professionals and people leads to stagnation and complacency—not to mention falling behind those leaders and competitors who have made professional development a priority for themselves and their organizations. Change is the only constant.

  1. Enjoy career-long benefits

Professional development means developing professional knowledge and skills through independent, participation-based, or one-on-one coaching. The benefits speak for themselves. Organizational leaders stay up-to-date with the latest trends and acquire new skills to manage their teams, improve work performance, and boost their professional self-confidence.

  1. Effectively control and guide the unexpected

Managers need to develop their ability to control and guide the unexpected effectively. The unprecedented challenges we witnessed during the pandemic are a good reminder that companies and organizations will always need to contend with unexpected change. And change, whether it be internally or externally imposed, is best managed when treated as an opportunity for leaders and organizations to grow. But, unfortunately, the old reliable tools you often use are not always up to the task.

  1. Learn new ways to lead

Refine those team-building skills you already have. Knowing how to create solid, resilient teams is usually not a natural ability supervisors or managers are born with. Managers must participate in hands-on, focused activities that equip them with the tools to help nurture and motivate employees. Running a department while simultaneously being able to bring out the best qualities in individuals is no easy task. We must regularly hone and improve our ability to inspire entire teams and keep their focus on the bottom line.

  1. Embrace different approaches

Adapt to diverse approaches to troubleshooting. We are all individuals with unique perspectives and approaches to facing challenges and solving complex problems. Successful leaders can appreciate and empathize with the different approaches staff have to think about challenging issues. Leaders unable to embrace different approaches to resolving recurring problems can produce mediocre results. Managers need to learn to adapt their thinking and change how they tackle various problems. New challenges require new thinking. Leaders need to regularly learn new ways to tackle problems, old and new.

  1. Third-party insight can be a real eye-opener

An efficient approach to workflow is something many organizations face challenges in achieving. Although this can sometimes be attributed to many factors beyond a manager’s control, you, the leader, bear ultimate responsibility. A wealth of leadership courses are dedicated to improving workflow in dynamic ways that produce lasting results. Sometimes these fixes require a tectonic shift in the daily operation of things. But, most often, minor tweaks in basic procedures can significantly improve outcomes.

  1. Think outside the box

Managers need to nurture creative approaches to tackling complex problems. Without a culture of creativity, organizations are deprived of vital energy. They lack versatile approaches to unique challenges faced in the present or further down the road. Leaders can enroll in workshops focusing on ways to nurture and improve creativity through hands-on scenarios and activities. This can lead to a fruitful shift in company culture. Managers who develop their ability to problem-solve and troubleshoot in “outside-the-box” ways equip themselves with a more expansive set of tools to tackle unexpected challenges. Learn to be creative in ways you did not know you were even capable of.

  1. Leadership coaches have acquired hard-earned insight

One-on-one leadership coaching can provide valuable access to experienced mentors. Often leadership coaches will have acquired hard-earned insight throughout their careers. This incredibly valuable and personal approach to leadership development gives you a front-row seat to tried and true methods for improving your leadership skills.

  1. Progress is impossible without change

Managers and supervisors who fail to improve their methods or alter their approach are unlikely to offer much that is new when tackling problems and making progress. Keeping up with leadership training and development ensures you guide your team with effective tactics and insight.