Leadership University: Why Should Leaders Be Lifelong Learners?

If there is one thing I have learned throughout my career, it is that you can never stop learning. The world is moving fast. Every time I think about how the internet and the cell phone have completely transformed the way we live and work in my own lifetime, it amazes me.?

To stay relevant as leaders, we have to keep up. For me, this has meant embracing a growth mindset and being open to learning, no matter how many years of experience I have. I am constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone and learning to “do it afraid.” So, why should all leaders take this same approach?

Riding the Waves of Change

Change is constant, and sometimes it comes with reminders from those closest to us. As a Gen X’er, I have experienced countless changes over the years, a fact my son loves to remind me by pointing out that I was born in the late 1900s. Life has changed literally overnight on many occasions, such as during 9/11 and the pandemic. Whether it was new technologies, unexpected challenges, or shifts in team dynamics, I had to adapt every time.?

Lifelong learning makes that process easier. It is how I have stayed flexible and ready to pivot when necessary. Without continuous learning, we risk becoming outdated. If you aren’t growing and learning, you will get left behind. Leaders who keep learning become more resilient and prepared to face whatever comes their way.

Walk the Talk

Leading by example is important whether you are in the boardroom or at home. People tend to do what they see. It is crucial to model the behavior we want others to follow. The days of saying "do as I say, not as I do" are long gone. This applies not only to work teams but also to family, community, and social teams.?

I firmly believe that if I want my team to grow, I have to grow too. When I invest time in learning and show that I do not know everything, it sets a tone for my team. They see that learning is part of the process and that it is okay not to have all the answers right away. This builds trust and credibility, not just for me, but for everyone around me.?

Keep Asking, Keep Learning

I love hearing new ideas and perspectives. We do not all think alike, and I am certainly glad of that. One brain like mine, with a countless number of tabs open, is enough. There is a popular quote often linked to Eleanor Roosevelt that says, “Great minds talk about ideas, average minds talk about events, and small minds talk about people.” Even if she didn’t say it, the meaning still stands. We should focus on bigger, more important conversations.?

Continuously learning has kept me creative and thinking outside the box. This curiosity opened up solutions I might not have seen otherwise. In my experience, innovation comes from staying curious and not thinking we have it all figured out.

Lead with Empathy, Grow with Intelligence

Leadership is not just about making the right calls or executing strategies. Lifelong learning doesn't just apply to technical skills. It also applies to how we understand and relate to others. I have realized that emotional intelligence, understanding people, managing relationships, and being in tune with how others feel, is just as important.?

This has been a tough one for me. I am an introvert, so building relationships requires a conscious level of energy. Lifelong learning has helped me develop this skill. The more I learn about people, communication, and behavior, the better I have become at leading with empathy. And in my experience, empathy is what truly builds strong teams. There is another saying: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”?

Stay Sharp, Stay Ahead

It is tough out here. Things are more competitive than ever, and standing still is not an option. I have seen firsthand how important it is to keep learning in order to stay ahead. When we constantly improve our skills, we are more prepared to make informed decisions and spot trends before they become problems.?

Learning gives us the edge we need to keep pushing forward. As a project leader, risk management and mitigation are part of my daily responsibilities. Continuous learning often helps me anticipate and navigate challenges before they escalate into major issues.

Wrapping Up

At the end of the day, my personal commitment to lifelong learning has made all the difference. I have been able to stay adaptable, credible, innovative, and emotionally intelligent because I never stopped learning. Being a leader is not about knowing everything. Thank goodness for that. It is about understanding that there is always more to learn. Leadership is a journey, and every step forward requires growth. For me, that is what makes it exciting.

So, I challenge you to commit to your own growth, both personally and professionally. The more we learn, the more we grow, and the better leaders we become.

Don't forget to check out our previous articles.

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• Is It Time for Your Business to Get a Project Management Check-Up?

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