How do you balance leadership and learning?

1 Assess your strengths and gaps

The first step to balance leadership and learning is to assess your current strengths and gaps as a leader. What are the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that you excel at, and what are the areas that you need to improve or develop? You can use self-assessment tools, feedback from others, or performance reviews to identify your leadership competencies and gaps. Once you have a clear picture of your leadership profile, you can prioritize your learning goals and plan your development activities accordingly.

2 Choose your learning style

The second step to balance leadership and learning is to choose your learning style. How do you prefer to learn new things, and what are the best methods and resources for you? Some people learn best by reading books, articles, or blogs, while others prefer podcasts, videos, or webinars. Some people like to learn in a formal setting, such as a course, workshop, or seminar, while others opt for informal learning, such as mentoring, coaching, or peer learning. Some people enjoy self-directed learning, while others benefit from structured guidance and feedback. There is no one right way to learn, but you should choose the style that suits your preferences, needs, and availability.

3 Schedule your learning time

The third step to balance leadership and learning is to schedule your learning time. Learning is not something that you can do whenever you have some spare time or when you feel like it. It requires commitment, discipline, and consistency. Therefore, you should treat your learning time as an important part of your calendar, and block out specific times and days for it. You should also set realistic and measurable learning objectives, and track your progress and outcomes. By scheduling your learning time, you will ensure that you allocate enough time and attention to your development, and avoid distractions and interruptions.

4 Apply your learning to your leadership

The fourth step to balance leadership and learning is to apply your learning to your leadership. Learning is not only about acquiring new information or skills, but also about using them in practice. You should look for opportunities to implement what you have learned in your leadership role, and observe the results and feedback. You should also reflect on your learning experiences, and identify what worked well and what needs improvement. By applying your learning to your leadership, you will reinforce your learning, enhance your performance, and demonstrate your growth.

5 Share your learning with your team

The fifth step to balance leadership and learning is to share your learning with your team. Learning is not only a personal endeavor, but also a social and collaborative one. You should communicate your learning goals and achievements to your team, and invite them to join you in your learning journey. You should also encourage your team to share their own learning goals and achievements, and support them in their development. By sharing your learning with your team, you will create a culture of learning, foster trust and engagement, and leverage the collective wisdom and potential of your team.

6 Seek feedback and adjust

The sixth step to balance leadership and learning is to seek feedback and adjust. Learning is not a linear or static process, but a dynamic and continuous one. You should constantly seek feedback from yourself, your team, and other sources, and evaluate your learning effectiveness and impact. You should also be open to change and adapt your learning goals, methods, and actions based on the feedback and the changing context. By seeking feedback and adjusting, you will ensure that your learning is relevant, meaningful, and valuable for yourself and others.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?