The Ability and Propensity to Learn

In a previous post, I wrote that qualities of character in the CEO were a more important indicator of business success than the business model. In this, and the next few posts, I’m going to share those qualities that I believe mark a great business leader.

First, a disclaimer. This is one person’s point of view.? This is not the result of some study that surveyed 10,000 business owners.? Instead, it is the result of my personal, anecdotal experience.? I’ve spoken to and with thousands of business executives in the US and other countries, and personally and contractually worked with over 400 of them.? I have, I believe, achieved a breadth of experience in the world of business that, coupled with a touch of wisdom, has a validity of its own.

??????????? With that disclaimer behind us, let’s tackle the subject.

Here’s my nomination for a character trait that fuels business success:? The ability and propensity to learn.

I’m not talking strictly about acquiring knowledge in the sense that one learns in school.? For the successful business person, this character trait is demonstrated by the habit of gathering ideas from a variety of sources, accurately evaluating a situation, and then combining the details of the situation with the ideas garnered to modify or make adjustments in his/her behavior, or the behavior of the organization.

I know that’s pretty complex. Let’s unpack it.

• Gather ideas from a variety of sources.

Folks who have this character trait continually and proactively seek out good ideas.? These are the people who get the audio books and listen to them as they drive.? They have rules for themselves like: “Read one new business book every month.”

They subscribe to a number of E-zines and regularly visit the blogs of the people they respect.? They attend the conferences, go to the seminars, sign up for the webinars.? And, just as importantly, they proactively seek out wise and experienced people with whom to rub shoulders.? They join the business roundtable groups , and may even follow the lead of one of my clients, who “seeks out a good person outside of the industry to have lunch with once a month.”

This continual seeking of good ideas isn’t an event that’s done once a year or so; it’s a continuous process that drives a dedicated chunk of their time.

• Accurately evaluate a situation.

In my work with literally hundreds of businesses, I am amazed by how frequently

I encounter an executive who is in denial about some aspect of the business, or the people who work for him. Most frequently, they are blinded to the people who have been around for a long time, and who have become ’entitled’ to income and benefits that way exceed their value to the organization. The executive just doesn’t see it.

Sometimes it’s a more structural issue, like a sales compensation plan that rewards the sales force... CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE