The best leaders are the most enthusiastic learners

After arriving at a position of power and responsibility, it takes a real sense of personal commitment to push yourself to grow and continue learning. However, you and your organization will benefit tremendously if you do. Don’t think that your education is over just because you’re a leader. In 1990, Stanford professor John W. Gardner delivered a speech with a powerful message targeted towards business leaders and executives. It was about the urgent need for leaders, wishing to be great, to commit themselves fully to constant learning and growing. He went on to explain that those who don’t, unconsciously trap themselves in fixed attitudes and habits. “Boredom is the secret aliment of large-scale organizations,” Gardner said. “We avoid this trap through the personal attribute that allows individuals to keep learning, growing and changing. This is different from sheer ambition which eventually wears off over time. Fortunately, you can keep that spark alive by being “interested” instead of just “interesting.” It’s what you learn later that truly counts. It’s not to out-hustle, out-muscle, or out-maneuver the competition, it is about out-thinking the competition. The best leaders do so by developing a unique point of view about the future and get there before anyone else does. They are not just the boldest thinkers, they are the most insatiable learners.” Remember this, it’s what you learn after you know it all that counts. It’s about learning and growing constantly. You don’t need to know everything as long as you’re willing and able to learn and grow. Are you as interested as you are interesting? Source: Harvard Business Review]]>