Navigating Career Growth: Learning to Lead by Learning First

When I served as a COO, I once had a direct report, someone I had invested significant time in hiring, who, on one of our first interactions, asked me how they could grow into my role. I couldn't help but admire their determination and clear ambition. I've always believed in the idea of working myself out of a job, so I could tackle new challenges within an organization. Yet, what I respect even more is individuals who prioritize mastering their current role first. In this case, that was my response to the leader. By no means did I fault the leader for his action imperative, we're very conditioned to reward this behavior.

The primary symptom of the action imperative is a compelling need to constantly take action. Effective leaders, however, find the delicate balance between driving results and embracing the art of listening, observing, and reflecting. When I joined Instapage, one of the most valuable pieces of advice I received was simple but far from easy: just listen. It's a concept that proves challenging in practice.

Startup culture often intensifies the pressure to demonstrate one's value by showcasing past successes and experiences. However, what does this playbook reveal about you as a leader? Like many experienced leaders, I had my playbook, but implementing it prematurely risked alienating the very culture I was eager to understand.

One of the most counterproductive behaviors I've observed in leaders is arriving at an organization with preconceived notions about its problems. There are numerous factors that influence the success of a particular strategy, direction, or initiative, depending on the unique context and environment.

As you embark on your journey to develop a systematic approach to learning, my experience suggests the following:

1. Learn from multiple levels of an organization, not just those above you.
2. Ask questions about the organization's past, present, and future state.
3. Communicate your learning agenda with others and set the expectation that learning is your primary focus.
4. Consider how you can leverage external sources for learning, such as customers, or even past customers, which can provide invaluable insights.

In the ever-evolving landscape of leadership, continuous learning and adaptability are the cornerstones of success. Embrace the journey of mastering your current role, and you'll find yourself better equipped to tackle the challenges of leadership, no matter where it may lead you.