What do you do if your daily work doesn't reflect your continuing education learnings as a thought leader?

When daily work doesn't align with continuing education learnings as a thought leader, start by identifying gaps. Set clear goals to integrate new insights. Propose and initiate a dialogue with leadership, outlining how these learnings can benefit the organization. If opportunities aren’t readily available, actively seek or create them—take initiative. If you face pushback, engage with decision-makers to understand the reasons. If these reasons remain unclear, invest in professional learning programs on your own time. Demonstrate the value by piloting new concepts in smaller projects, demonstrate their effectiveness. Expand the initiative, align it with broader organizational goals to drive adoption, and take it to the next level.

You can begin by conducting a comprehensive self-assessment to identify where your daily work differs from your ongoing education: ---> List Skills: Document new skills and knowledge from your continuing education. --- > Analyze Role: Identify daily tasks where these skills aren’t utilized. --- > Identify Projects: Look for projects that align with your new skills. ---> Seek Feedback: Consult colleagues or leaders for additional insights. ---> Document Findings: Create a report outlining gaps and potential solutions. ---> Propose Initiatives: Suggest new initiatives or improvements based on your findings.

If your continuing education doesn't factor into your daily work, it's not going to contribute to your thought leadership status. Thought leaders are innovators first and lead their industries through their professional practice. If continuing education doesn't add something to the perspectives that drive your innovation, it's not contributing to your thought leadership. It may serve some other worthwhile purpose, however. If you want to add a dimension that helps you differentiate, seek new territory that adds an element to your strategic thinking. For me, that was studying inclusion through understanding dimensions of diversity.

This is probably the most important step. Recognize the gap exists and then take action to identify why, is it temporary, is it a deliberate choice. Evaluate the gaps, take feedback and if necessary start taking the steps to changing and closing the gap.

Set clear, achievable goals that align with your overall objectives. Break down big goals into smaller steps. This makes progress easier to track and celebrate.

Open a conversation with your supervisor or team about your continuing education and how you wish to apply it to your current role. Discuss how your new skills and knowledge can enhance your contributions and benefit the organization. Engaging in this dialogue fosters understanding and support for incorporating your learnings into practical applications.

Look for or create opportunities within your current projects where you can apply your new knowledge. This might involve suggesting new approaches, proposing innovative solutions, or volunteering for projects that align with your recent learnings. By actively seeking ways to integrate your education, you demonstrate the value of your continued growth.

Consider these strategies to put knowledge into action: Pitch innovative ideas: Present suggestions for improvement or new projects aligned with your expertise, positioning yourself as an industry-forward leader. Seek cross-functional collaboration: Identify opportunities to work with different departments, broadening your connections and applying your knowledge in diverse contexts. Mentor others: Offer support and guidance to junior team members, sharing your expertise and honing leadership skills. Pursue professional networks: Engage with industry associations or specialized groups, leveraging external channels to capitalize on your enhanced skillset.

As a thought leader, understanding that 'experiential learning theory'—which emphasizes learning through reflection on doing—can help bridge the gap between education and daily work. If your continuing education isn't reflected in your work, it’s crucial to consciously apply what you've learned through deliberate practice and reflection. Regularly assess how these new insights can enhance your current projects, and make necessary adjustments. This iterative process ensures that your ongoing education actively contributes to your professional growth and impact.

Regularly review and reflect on how well your daily work incorporates your new learnings. Assess what’s working and what needs improvement. Make necessary adjustments to your approach or goals based on this reflection. This iterative process ensures that your ongoing education continues to influence and enhance your professional practice.

Develop a strategic plan to integrate your new knowledge into your future work. Identify upcoming projects or tasks where you can apply your learnings. Use this plan to guide your efforts and align your daily work with your educational achievements. Forward planning helps ensure that your continuing education has a lasting impact on your career.