What do you do if you don't have access to leadership development programs?

Leadership development programs are undoubtedly valuable for career development. That said, they may not always be accessible to everyone in the workforce. However, many other options are available for those seeking to enhance their career development. One can explore endless possibilities, such as taking online courses, listening to podcasts, joining a social media or in-person community, or reading books on their desired topic. In my opinion, having mentors or sponsors can help you go the farthest in your career journey.

Get creative! Leadership courses might cost a lot, but leadership examples are all around us: in our community, from our parents, family, history, even books or newspapers any more on the internet. People are living history. Just ask and watch. Learning never stops. Listen more than you talk. The skills you gain are incredibly valuable.

For some folks, personal growth isn’t a priority. They refuse to learn from mistakes; they shun personal feedback like it’s the plague; and they pass up every opportunity to learn from books, blogs, seminars, or podcasts because they say they don’t have the time (or should I say, won’t make the time) to grow as individuals. They refuse to put in the hard work, accept the personal sacrifice, or make the commitment to better themselves. Instead, they find it easier to complain or to play poor victim instead of rolling up their sleeves. But that’s their choice — and choices have consequences. Remember, the first step in winning is the willingness to try.

TIP - When seeking mentorship, be clear about your ask and explain why you specifically want to connect with them. This clarity not only shows respect for their time but also demonstrates your intentionality and commitment to growth. By articulating what you hope to achieve through the mentorship and why you believe they are the right mentor for you, you lay the groundwork for a productive and mutually rewarding relationship. This approach ensures your outreach is purposeful and increases the likelihood of a positive response.

A few qualities to seek in a mentor are: 1) Firstly, relevant fund of knowledge in the area you want advice on 2) Secondly, expertise and experience which they can use to help guide you 3) Outstanding energy and enthusiasm- it is important that your mentor is passionate about helping people further their career or skillsets. This shows in their energy level when talking with you as well as stamina for invested mentorship sessions over long periods of time. 4) The ability to give honest feedback- this means being able tough comments with accuracy but also mixing them with encouragement so that the person never feels completely defeated after trying something new and receiving criticism.

Successful people know that there is always room for growth and development. They prioritize learning and seek out opportunities to improve their skills and knowledge. To continuously learn and improve, start by identifying areas where you want to grow. This could be a new skill, a subject you want to learn more about, or a weakness you want to overcome. Then, seek out resources and opportunities to learn and improve. This could include taking a course, reading a book, attending a workshop, or seeking out a mentor. By continuously learning and improving, you can stay ahead of the curve and achieve more than you ever thought possible.

Literature is a fantastic resource where you can develop your leadership in your downtime. It's worth considering less obvious examples - such as bios of sports people, non-fiction adventure accounts etc. It's possible to learn leadership lessons from lots of different sources and circumstances, so there is no need to restrict yourself specifically to leadership-focussed books or articles.

Never underestimate how much you can learn by being curious and having the dedication to poke around online! There are amazing free options to learn a bit about almost anything.

Online courses are practical and more accessible, in addition to being able to provide quick knowledge that will help you accelerate the development of the desired skill.

There are tons of free online resources on YouTube. My favorite series's is Ted, Ted Talks and Ted Shorts. You can also follow people you find on Ted Talks to learn more about their field.

Taking online courses provided strong certifications that back your leadership development expertise status. Online course not only hone your leadership skills they also help you to acquire new ones. In addition they provide a valuable network if experts you can engage in when face with challenging problems It provides a means of learning and relearning for the leadership development expert.

Explore reputable online learning platforms that offer courses on leadership and management topics. Some popular platforms include Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, edX, and Skillshare. Read reviews, browse course catalogs, and compare offerings to find courses that align with your learning objectives.

Own your development plan Set goals Network Be intentional You have to take action and own all 4, lastly work with mentor who can guide and provide feedback!!

"I'm thinking of joining a leadership community. They say it's like a support group, but with fewer hugs and more PowerPoint presentations." ?? Perhaps one of the most underrated ways to expand your leadership skills is by joining a community. Engaging in conversations with other leaders can provide immense learning opportunities. Additionally, you can simultaneously build your network. Communities are easily accessible, particularly online on platforms like LinkedIn. There are also local community options such as "CreativeMornings" or "LinkedIn Local" in-person events. However, it's essential to view your community as more than just a resource for learning and networking. It's an opportunity to give back and contribute to the group.

Joining a community for personal leadership is a great way to expand your skills and network. It offers support, diverse perspectives, and accountability, fueling growth. However, commitment and active participation are key. Engaging regularly helps build trust, foster deeper connections, and maximize the benefits of shared knowledge and experiences. Stay committed and stay active.

Participating in groups will help you generate connections and also generate conversations about common topics where you will co-create based on each other's experience. networking is excellent for development

When we join the groups or communities with like-minded people, it would helps to gain much exposure to different thought process and we can easily building relationships in exchanging new ideas. Communicating with the people from different backgrounds and industries will help us to learn different perspectives.

A formal leadership program is but one tool …don’t let Not having access to one get you down ! learning opportunities are several : both formal and informal. MOOC is fabulous. I believe that the best way to learn is to jump right in and challenge self… out of comfort zone! others might be doubtful, some may be amused … failing and learning from it is your life experience so go for it!! New skills often give us a different perspective to the same problem be it at work or otherwise .

Here are my three best practices: 1. Shadow a leader: Ask a respected leader in your organization if you can shadow them for a day or a meeting. Observe their decision-making process and how they interact with different personalities. 2. Volunteer for stretch assignments: Look for projects outside your comfort zone. Did a new department open up? Volunteer to help with the transition – it'll expose you to new approaches and leadership styles. 3. Seek out constructive feedback: After leading a project or event, ask trusted colleagues for honest feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement. This can be incredibly insightful for honing your leadership skills.

After a sporting event, did you ever ask someone how they did? Their common response is either “We won,” or “We lost.” While their answer is factually correct, it doesn’t tell the complete story. For example, they could have led the whole game or made an exciting comeback, performed their best or lost due to mistakes, won by a landslide or lost by a hair. The point is, while winning or losing, being right or wrong, doing well or poorly, describes the outcome, results rarely tell the entire story. The world is rarely black or white; we learn by examining the gray areas. You have to dig beneath the surface to learn from your experience.

In my career, I learned to be a leader through volunteer work. You can observe, participate and learn from othersat various levels of many nonprofit organizations. Through observations, interactions and testing your skills, you gain experience and expand your impact. This is particularly good if you work in an organization with strict hierarchy where getting leadership opportunities can be more limited for those with less experience.

Leadership isn't just about your job title or work responsibilities but it's about your attitude and behaviors. You can practice leadership skills in all areas of life: - Take initiative in your personal projects or hobbies - Organize events or gatherings for your friends and community - Mentor or coach others who could benefit from your skills Change your mindset and position yourself with a leadership mindset to develop a well-rounded set of skills and gain confidence in your ability to lead, even without formal authority.

If I don't have access to formal leadership development programs, I would explore alternative resources such as online courses, books, podcasts, or webinars focused on leadership skills. Additionally, I could seek mentorship from experienced leaders within or outside my organization. Networking with professionals in similar roles or industries can also provide valuable insights and advice. Ultimately, taking initiative and being proactive in seeking self-development opportunities can still help me improve my leadership skills, even without formal programs.

Personal development shouldn’t be a checkoff item that you’re “forced” to do a couple of times a year. It requires a conscious effort to better yourself every day. It will never be urgent — unless you make it so. It will never be convenient, but that shouldn’t stop you. And the benefit may not be visible right away. But I can assure you that every step forward is a step in the right direction. The only thing standing in your way of becoming the best you can be is the desire, willingness, and commitment to make the effort. It’s your choice. Say “yes” to knowing and being more, or you’ll never know what you’re missing.

If I don't have access to a leadership development program, I can still focus on self-development through various resources like books, online courses, mentorship from experienced individuals, and seeking opportunities to lead and learn in my current role or projects. Consistent learning, practice, and seeking feedback can also contribute significantly to my growth as a leader.

What was not mentioned in the above list is coaching. Find a good coach! Actually this can be something important even if you have access to a leadership development program that does not include coaching (which is rare nowadays but might happen that it has a different structure and purpose). Find time for self-reflection as well, whatever practice from the list above you do, it is important to create space to digest and reflect.

Take initiative. Volunteer for opportunities and situations which allow you to develop your leadership skills and hone them