How To Create A Leadership Growth Plan: Lesson #4

Growth is not an automatic process. We don’t get better without intentional effort. This new year could be a game changer for your career and impact if you choose to develop yourself like never before. This could be the year your future self thanks you for the rest of your life. So, what are you going to do to improve your skills as a leader? What will you do to go to a new level in your abilities this year?

Here is the fourth lesson:

Lesson #4: Live Out What You Learn About

Most people are educated way beyond their level of effectiveness. They know a lot but do very little. Our level of effectiveness is not about knowing more… it’s about doing more. Famous motivational speaker and author Jim Rohn said, “Don’t let your learning lead to knowledge. Let your learning lead to action.” The goal of education is transformation. When we take what we learn and live it out, our future transforms for the better. Many people have consumed a vast amount of resources but have nothing to show for it. Don’t let this be your experience. Make sure your learning is leading to action.

Assuming you have worked on Lesson #1, Lesson #2, and Lesson #3 about creating a growth plan, let’s unpack how you can live out what you are learning about.

1) Write It Down

There is an old saying, “It’s not real until it’s written.” I think our learning operates from a similar pattern. There is something powerful and memorable about untangling your thoughts by writing them down. For me, I have a notebook for each of the five categories I talked about in Lesson #1. As I read my chosen book for the day (Lesson #2), I underline things that stick out to me and then transfer those markings into my growth notebook. This system allows me to catalog the best ideas meaningful to me during my reading time.

However you want to do it, make sure you are writing down the things you are learning about. Many people will journal their ideas or write down a summary of what they just learned about. Whatever you do, make sure there is a transfer from reading/listening/watching whatever resource you are taking in to the written form.

2) Challenge Yourself

If you don’t challenge yourself to do something with what you’re learning about, you’ll likely forget it. Turn your learning into something you challenge yourself to act on. Again, it’s not just about knowledge; it’s about action. So, at the end of your learning moment, ask yourself, “What will I do with what I just learned?” This question forces you to devise a creative way to practice something new. You may need to implement a new mindset, a new productivity tip, a new process, or a new perspective. Make sure that you change something in your behavior from what you learned.

3) Share It With Others

Our learning can’t just be for us, especially as leaders. We must ensure we are passing on great ideas that will help others. Not only will you potentially impact someone else, but sharing what you’re learning about it will help you retain it. In fact, cognitive studies have shown that teaching others gives us a 90% retention rate. It’s the highest form of learning we can utilize.

The more you share what you are learning, the better you can process and understand it. It forces you to wrap your mind around the concept whenever you can communicate it. As leaders, we must develop those around us and share great resources and ideas to expedite the process.

I hope this series, How To Create A Leadership Growth Plan, has been helpful over the last month. If you did not get a chance to read Lesson #1, Lesson #2, and Lesson #3, be sure to do so. Also, check out episode 2 of my leadership podcast, which lays out the process in detail.

Remember to make this year a year of growth and development for yourself, and you will open up greater opportunities!