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3 minute read
The only constant is change.
For leaders, this means that continuous learning isn't just an option—it's essential. Relying on past successes or knowledge is not enough. To truly excel and guide our organisations effectively, we must embrace a growth mindset and actively seek opportunities to expand our understanding and skills. You have to open the box and expose yourself to new things and new ways of thinking. This is where the concept of neuroplasticity comes into play.
Neuroplasticity is the brain's remarkable ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This means that our brains aren't fixed; they're adaptable and can grow, regardless of age or experience. As leaders, understanding and harnessing neuroplasticity can be a game-changer. It allows us to learn new skills, adapt to new situations, and enhance our cognitive abilities.
Why Should Leaders Prioritise Mental Growth?
As leaders, we need to be across a broad range of knowledge areas. Some typical growth areas include:
- Performance feedback: The hubris of assuming we are always right is a massive risk for any leader. We need to learn from our customers, clients, peers and teams to ensure we are open to their invaluable insights rather than the blanket assumption that we are the "rightest" people in the room.
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Economic trends: Understanding market fluctuations, economic indicators, and global financial dynamics is crucial for strategic decision-making. By ignoring historical trends and also forecasts from outside perspectives we can find ourselves trapped in a downward spiral, rather than surfing the waves of the economic cycles.
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Political landscapes: Keeping abreast of political developments, both locally and internationally, helps us navigate regulatory environments and anticipate potential impacts on our organisations. Although politics is often seen as a "dirty" word, when leading organisations you will have an impact and be impacted by not only the global political environment, but also more local political trends and events. Being aware and responsive to alternate perspectives allows us to grow even in potentially adverse environments.
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Interpersonal skills: Enhancing our ability to communicate, negotiate, and resolve conflict fosters stronger relationships and improves team dynamics. Leadership is all about these interpersonal relationships. It's more than your direct reports and team members, it's also about your lateral connections, your leadership peers and your ability to interact with your senior leaders and advisors. Paying attention to and growing your skills is definitely part of "the Leadership job".
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Emotional intelligence (EQ): Developing self-awareness, empathy, and social skills enables us to lead with greater impact and build a positive workplace culture. Leadership without EQ is not leadership! Your organisation is not a machine; it's a collection of people creating a culture. How you influence that culture is part of your leadership dynamic. I always ask myself, "What do I want to be known for?" The answer is always very interesting and hints at where I need to expand my EQ skills.
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Strategic thinking: Refining our ability to analyse complex situations, identify opportunities, and formulate long-term plans ensures our organisations remain competitive and sustainable. This is where growing and learning steps into holistic analysis. Strategies cannot be isolated and inwards focused only. Strategic thinking means looking outside your team, your organisation, and your current situation and expanding your option-sets towards "what could be". This is true learning!
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Emerging technologies: Staying informed about the latest technological advancements, such as AI, automation, and data analytics, allows us to leverage these tools for innovation and efficiency. This is more than just parroting the buzz words. Leaders need deep understanding of the technology to create the connection and inferences that leadership through change requires. You cannot skim over the top of this stuff!
Tools and Strategies for Lifelong Learning
So, how can leaders like us continue to learn and grow? Here are some effective tools and strategies:
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Embrace a Growth Mindset: As Carol Dweck explains in her book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," a growth mindset is the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This mindset is crucial for fostering a love of learning and resilience in facing challenges.
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Deliberate Practice: Anders Ericsson's research on deliberate practice highlights the importance of focused, intentional practice to improve skills. This involves setting specific goals, seeking feedback, and consistently pushing beyond our comfort zones.
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Mindfulness and Reflection: Mindfulness and reflection allow us to process our experiences, identify learning opportunities, and consolidate new knowledge. Practices like meditation and journaling can be valuable tools for this. For further insights, Jon Kabat-Zinn's "Mindfulness for Beginners" offers practical guidance.
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Diverse Reading: Reading widely across different disciplines and genres can broaden our perspectives and expose us to new ideas. Make a habit of reading books, articles, and reports on topics relevant to your field and beyond.
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Networking and Collaboration: Engaging with peers, mentors, and experts in various fields provides opportunities to learn from others' experiences and insights. Attend industry events, join professional organisations, and actively participate in collaborative projects.
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Online Learning: Leverage the wealth of online resources available, such as online courses, webinars, and podcasts. You can look for information from outside your comfort zone, look for areas that you don't know about, and be humble enough to adopt the beginner mindset occasionally.
Setting the Example
As leaders, we are responsible for setting an example for our teams. By demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning, we inspire others to embrace a growth mindset and continuously seek opportunities for personal and professional development. When prioritising learning, we enhance our effectiveness and cultivate a culture of curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement within our organisations.
Neuroplasticity reminds us that our learning capacity is limitless. By embracing a growth mindset and actively pursuing knowledge, senior leaders can unlock their full potential, drive organisational success, and inspire those around them to do the same.