Successful Leaders Embrace Continuous Learning and Growth

Cathy GassenheimerA banner that I’d love to see posted at every K-12 building in Alabama reads:

“At this school, it is everyone’s job to learn.”

That means everyone who walks through the door — the students, the principal, the other administrators, the teachers, the support staff. What if we include parents in the mantra as well?

Last week, I read an article at the SmartBrief leadership blog about the importance of continuous learning and growth that reminded me of my banner idea. As we learn and grow, that experience should positively impact our belief systems and the way that we act.

The SmartBrief post was written by Marlene Chism, a consultant, international speaker and the author of Stop Workplace Drama (Wiley 2011) and No-Drama Leadership (Bibliomotion 2015).

Chism suggests that seven “signs” could serve as good indicators of whether or not we are growing. I’ve summarized her seven “signs” here and included my own reflection questions for you to consider. Be sure to visit her original post for more insight into each of her seven points.

1. Your beliefs are still evolving

We all grow up with certain beliefs about how the world works, Chism says. In order to grow you have to be willing to challenge and even change some of your long-held beliefs. For example, think about the beliefs that must evolve for a front-line worker to elevate to supervision, or how the beliefs of a front-line supervisor must shift in order to become a senior leader.

  • What evidence can you point to that demonstrates whether (or not) your beliefs are evolving? Think about a variety of topics, not limited to politics. How about eating, exercising, friendship, learning, trust, etc.?
  • Are there some of your beliefs that you WANT to evolve? If so, what might you do to begin the process?

 2. You can see different points of view

The more your desire to learn, says Chism, the more curious you will be. The more curious you are, the more likely you are to consider other points of view. When you can see different viewpoints, you begin to understand that every person’s experience is unique and you come to understand the diverse ways people experience life and process information.

  • Are you able to suspend judgment about what a person is saying long enough to understand their point of view? If not, what can you do to practice active listening instead of autobiographical listening?

 3. You are willing to stop unproductive habits

Growth requires you to elevate your self-awareness so that you can identify your shortcomings and change your unproductive habits. Changing a bad habit is like going through rehab, Chism argues. You have to want your growth more than you want your addiction. A sign of growth is the willingness to stop habits (even the enjoyable ones) that stunt your growth.

  • Is there a habit that you need to change? What specific steps can you take to rid yourself of this unproductive habit?

 4. You consciously build productive habits

 Building a new habit requires you to do something uncomfortable enough times until the act becomes part of your routine. You’ll know the habit has stuck, Chism says, when you no longer have to consciously think about it. You might struggle to get up an hour earlier, but once you train yourself to wind down at a certain time, and you put routines into place, you no longer have to “decide” what time to go to bed.

  • Identify one area in your professional and personal life that you want to cultivate. What steps can you take to make it a habit?

5. You grow thicker skin

 A great sign you have grown is when you are no longer so sensitive. You stand your ground. You take a breath, check perceptions, and ask more questions. Instead of dreading difficult conversations, says Chism, you approach them as part of creating authentic relationships.

  • This is a hard one. In what ways can you equip yourself to receive criticism—whether warranted or unwarranted—along with anger from others, and disappointments?

 6. You achieve more than you thought possible

 Chism points out that if you’ve achieved something that only a few years ago seemed impossible, you’ve grown. Looking back you can see you never dreamed you would have accomplished so much. Achievement is a sign of personal and professional growth.

  • In what ways can you celebrate this important accomplishment?
  • Are there ways that you can build upon this accomplishment to make it even more beneficial for your organization and colleagues?

7. Your definition of success changes

 Your definition of success changes dramatically each step along the way, Chism says. Once you needed possessions to feel successful. Or maybe you got your feelings of success from your education or your position. Eventually success is more about a state of being or about the kind of relationships you have built, or how many people you have mentored along the way.

  • In what ways is your definition of success changing?
  • How might you look at success through many different lenses—professional, personal, civic, etc?

Reflect and Learn – Is It Banner Time?

Spend some time reflecting on these seven signs and select one or two that you want to both consider and work on. Setting a personal learning/change goal can be reinvigorating to you and those around you!

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll be encouraged to add a banner at your school proclaiming that learning and ALL learners are a priority here.If you’d like to keep up with SmartBrief’s original posts, subscribe free to SmartBrief on Leadership.

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