Every teacher learns before they teach.
Every teacher learns while they teach.
The learner in the coffee shop:
I stood and embraced Jack when he walked into the coffee shop where I was meeting with a young leader. Jack’s in his 80’s and an elder statesman in the community where I live.
He looked at the young man, then back at me, and asked, “Is he a good student?”
Jack’s question made me a little uncomfortable. I said, “Yes, he’s a great student.”
On the way home it hit me. I was the real student.
People then skills:
Leaders are giddy to learn new strategies and skills. Teach me how to motivate people, resolve conflict, or cast compelling vision.
Leadership development requires more than strategies and skills.
“Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself.” Warren Bennis (3/8/1925 – 7/31/2014)
Everyone who develops leaders learns about people AND helps people learn about themselves.
Reflection:
One secret of leadership development is providing time for others to engage in self-reflection.
- What do you already know? How might that apply to current challenges?
- What are you doing that makes you feel energized? What does that say about you?
- What makes you feel connected with people? What blocks connection?
- When do you feel most powerful? Anxious? Successful?
- What is your role – not title – on the team? In your organization?
- What’s confusing? Where do you need greater clarity, simplicity, or focus?
- What do your hobbies say about you? How does that inform your leadership journey?
- What frustrates you?
- What are you reluctant to try?
- How might you maximize your strengths?
- Who on your team should you be developing? How?
- Who has helped you on your leadership journey? How are you different because of them?
It isn’t what you teach. It’s what others learn about themselves that changes people.