Leadership Learning Accelerators and Inhibitors

The Leadership Challenge
Leaders are constantly challenged by changing conditions in the marketplace. High performing leaders deftly navigate uncertainty and help solve difficult problems in a way that inspires their teams. The more complex and high stakes the leadership role is, the more leaders must have the ability to learn, adapt, unlearn, and relearn in constantly changing conditions. It helps to understand the leadership learning accelerators and inhibitors.

Without the ability to learn and grow, leaders are apt to repeat past mistakes and are less prepared for what is predictably an unpredictable future.

Cultivating The Ability to Learn
The good news is that you can cultivate the ability to learn by actively looking for opportunities for leaders to learn and grow – what we call leadership learning accelerators — while minimizing leadership learning inhibitors.

Leadership Learning Inhibitors
Based upon data from our new manager training programs, here are three common perspectives that can block leadership learning:

• Relying too much on the way it’s always been done
• Seeking the path of least resistance
• Blaming others or circumstances

Each one of these leadership learning inhibitors shows a level of workplace complacency, reluctance to learn something new, and lack of desire to try new solutions.

Leadership Learning Accelerators
Based upon data from our action learning leadership development programs, here are three common perspectives that can enhance a leader’s opportunity to learn:

• Extracting meaning from past experiences to apply to future situations
• Leveraging day-to-day interactions to consider better ways of working together
• Being curious about what lies ahead and excited that there will be a need to adapt to changing conditions

These leadership learning accelerators, which are tested as part of our leadership simulation assessments, reveal an innate curiosity and a visible optimism that can predispose leaders to seeing organizational change as a growth experience.

Some Tips on Cultivating the Ability to Learn

1. Reflect
   Take the time to reflect upon your actions. What might you have done differently? What worked well?

   With answers to these questions, you give yourself the opportunity to derive meaning from the past and the chance to apply it to the future.

2. Observe
   You can also learn from the mistakes and successes of others. Notice how others behave and the results — positive and negative. It can be a road map to leverage and apply best practices in your own arena.
3. Prepare
   Try to anticipate future change by keeping up to date on economic and societal trends. How might they affect your business? By imagining possible consequences, you will be better prepared to capitalize on innovation and continuous improvement.

The Bottom Line
Leaders are expected to solve difficult problems, make tough decisions in the face of uncertainty, be forward-thinking, and open to continuous learning. By cultivating the ability to learn — using learning accelerators and avoiding learning inhibitors — your leaders will be better prepared to succeed

To learn more about become a better leader, download The Top Skills for High Performing Leaders