Empower Leadership: 5 Ways to Gain Knowledge

The greatest leaders not only gain and apply the power of knowledge, they empower others to do the same. Here are five ways you can practice this skill along with a case study.

What Is It?

The power of knowledge in leadership isn't just facts and figures. It's the ability to learn, adapt, and make informed decisions that benefit yourself, your team, and organization. It's about developing yourself, developing others, strengthening your mind, learning skills, understanding your industry's trends, best practices in communication, the psychology of motivation, and so much more.

5 Ways to Gain and Apply Knowledge

• Start With Humility: Another word for "humble" is "teachable." Are you teachable? Do you recognize that there are areas of improvement in your life? If you recognize these gaps (we all have them), find a way to start gaining and applying the power of knowledge to fill them.
• Read Widely: Dive into industry publications, leadership books, and biographies of successful figures. Read fiction and non-fiction. Go through booklists, join a book club, or even start a book club! And, of course, listen to audiobooks while driving or exercising.
• Seek Mentorship: Find someone you admire and learn from their experience. You can find individual mentors or join mastermind groups. You can also provide mentors and set up mentorship programs for your people.
• Embrace Feedback: Actively solicit feedback from colleagues and superiors, and use it to grow. Not sure how to ask for feedback? Send out a simple form that asks people what you should "Continue doing, start doing, and stop doing."
• Network, Connect, and Attend Workshops: Share ideas and challenges with peers at conferences or online forums. Attend workshops on areas of your life or for skillsets that you'd like to improve upon.

Case Study - Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code

Reshma Saujani identified a critical gap in tech education for girls. Though lacking a technical background herself, she leveraged her knowledge of marketing and fundraising to launch Girls Who Code. She then surrounded herself with tech experts who built the curriculum and training programs. By focusing on her strengths and actively seeking knowledge in a complementary field, Saujani empowered countless young women to pursue careers in technology.

Wrapping Up

Unlock your fullest potential! Gain and apply the power of knowledge. Trailblaze new paths in your own life, and help others follow you to greater heights. Be humble -- teachable, read widely, find mentors, embrace feedback, and network, connect, and attend workshops. That's becoming your best!

"Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes." Peter Drucker

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