What is your process for choosing learning activities for your leadership development plan?

Tailor your leadership development journey by aligning specific learning activities with the areas that need enhancement! This makes things efficient.

Take a broad view now and then. Sometimes you don't need to deepen your leadership skills but widen your perspective. Explore what adjacent or upcoming fields are related to your areas of expertise, the industry you work in, or the capabilities needed in the company. You do not need to become an expert often, but it doesn't mean you are not allowed to. Take, for example, the big boom of anything Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. What simple learning activities can you undertake to prepare yourself before this lands on your (virtual) desk? Be curious, and focus on more than just your leadership. Add the adjacent areas to stay abreast of what is happening and understand the context of the changing world.

Leadership is a long journey, the leaders as any human changes over time, the environment is dynamic anchangesge frequently, so this assessment should be continuous and also be aligned with the outside challenges. A personal SWAT is recommended on a regular basis to stay on a path of constant development

IMO, a lеadеr's lеarning plan should align with thеir uniquе growth goals and lеarning stylе. > sеlf-rеflеction & assеssmеnts > map out an arc of blеndеd activitiеs > еxtract kеy takеaways & track applications aftеr еach activity > еvaluation of applicability in lеarning > rеsеarch options with robust dеscriptions. With pеrsonal clarity and thoughtful curation, wе can dеsign a lеadеrship dеvеlopmеnt journеy that truly transforms.

Combine formal courses with practical experiences to create a well-rounded learning journey. This blend fosters a comprehensive understanding while honing practical application!

I found that taking courses that are 'outside' your direct expertise is beneficial as it expands your horizons and enhances creativity. Taking a poetry class for an engineer for example can expand their way of thinking and uplift their leadership

Learning is most effective when done using mixed methodologies. Meaning thereby, while online courses impart the theoretical part well, it is important to take up smaller classroom programs also, every once in a while. Peer learning, I believe, is one of the most impactful methods. Also, as leadership it's good to have a 360 degree view of the current trends and markets, hence cross industry leadership summits or networking is also something one should look out for. Conversations in an informal environment sometimes give us the most valuable lessons.

Very important to do your research, think about your intended outcomes and what you expect in terms of results rather than output from your activity. I’m big on speaking directly to people who have engaged in the activity or program you’re considering to get direct feedback to consider when making your evaluation.

One thing I found imperative is the people taking the course. I always ask who are my fellow students. The people you interact with are your teachers as much as the content of the course and new connections for the future are priceless for personal ongoing development.

I disagree that the way of learning should be always aligned with our learning style. Leadership is about leading change. The learning environment is perfect for practicing how one can change behavior and step outside their comfort zone. Challenging your learning style catches two birds, you learn new content and you grow as a person.

I found that creating a mastermind group throughout the course and beyond is helpful as you have a group that speaks the same 'language' and provides objective insights

It’s so important to engage your learning and development team to help develop the plan in a way that will most benefit you. This is the same if you are looking to help a team member. It’s important to consider learning and development programs that will help you achieve your goals and dreams.