You get to a leadership position because of the hard work you’ve put into yourself. There are all the personal and self-development tactics that you’ve practiced. There are the books you’ve read and applied. And then there’s the life change you’ve implemented into your life.
Once you’ve got into a leadership position, none of that stops. You have to continue growing and learning. Otherwise, you stagnate and stop growing.
That’s not what you want. It’s not what I want. And it’s not what your team wants.
Photo by Robert Koorenny on Unsplash
It’s your responsibility to create an environment where you can continue learning and growing professionally and personally. Don’t stop learning, is what I say!
But, how do you create this continuing learning environment? I’ve shared about creating an environment for growth in previous articles, but we’ll expand on it in this one.
Creating A Continuous Learning Environment For Personal And Professional Growth
Industries, ideas, and practices are constantly being scrutinized. I think about the best practices at my work. We have people who are continually working to improve efficiencies and productivity. To do this, they revisit the best practices that have been created.
These practices may have been the best we had at the time of creation. Now, things may have changed.
The same goes for your personal and professional growth. You have to look at what’s working and what’s not. So, how do you stay current on industry trends, best practices, and personal growth?
How To Stay Up-To-Date On Industry Trends, Best Practices, And Personal Growth Opportunities
Understanding the ever-changing landscape of leadership and personal growth can be tricky. There’s always something new in the form of books, leadership seminars, and trainings. How do you know which ones are the best to go after? How do you continue to grow?
Well, here’s the thing: You get to choose. You can hunt down what seminars, trainings, and books work well for you. That’s the beginning of staying up-to-date.
You also need to talk to other leaders and industry professionals—those in the know. Ask them what they’re learning, reading, and seeing. They’ll freely share their new insights with you, and you’ll stay up-to-date with what they’re learning.
Another way to do this is to scour the internet. Some blogs, like this one, can help you grow and stay current within your industry. Bloggers, podcasters, and YouTubers are constantly learning to pass on their new information to you.
Use this resource. Don’t be shy to peep on a new blog or podcast. You’ll find incredibly insightful knowledge being shared, and you’ll continue to grow.
How To Create A Learning Environment At Work And Home
There’s a need to create learning environments wherever we go. This way, we can continue growing at home, in the office, or on the road.
Zig Ziglar once told us that we needed to join Automobile University. What was this strange named university? It was using your drive time to consume positive, uplifting, growth material.
We can do this around our homes and organizations as well. Here are four things you can do to create a learning environment at home or work.
1. Have growth material on hand:
One of the easiest ways to foster an environment of growth is to have growth material on hand. Whether you choose to grow from great books, a seminar, or the movies, you can create a learning library by curating these items.
If I’m honest, my living room is a mess. It’s full of books strewn about the room. You can’t go into my living room without seeing multiple books.
What does that tell you? It should inform you my wife and I like to read. It also makes it easy for either one of us to pick up a book and begin reading.
Make it easy to grow by having growth material on hand.
2. Talk with others about what you’re learning:
There are others in your home or at your office. Talk to these people!
Share with them what you’ve read, watched, or recently learned. Then ask them to share something they’ve learned.
You’re opening up a two-way channel of communication by doing this. Not only that, you’re also allowing others to pour into you and help you with your personal and professional growth.
Don’t be afraid to talk about what you’re learning.
3. Have a lab:
No, not a Labrador dog but those are nice. Instead, create areas where you can test new ideas and experiment. Think of it as a he or she-shed. This is a place you can work on projects unincumbered and unworried about the outcome.
This could be a little room in your house or a training room at your workplace. This is a no-judgment area when it comes to trying new things. It’s also a place where others are encouraged by you and those around you.
Find a way to create a lab for new ideas and growth!
4. Set the mood with music:
Your taste in music will differ from my taste in music. That’s fine. My taste has always been on the harder side, even when learning. I’d blast Living Sacrifice, Stavesacre, or Ninety Pound Wuss while cranking out my best work or reading a book.
Find music that sets the mood to learn and grow. It could be classical music from Tchaikovsky, the jazz of Medeski Martin & Wood, or the punk rock beats of MxPx.
Music can set the tone. Find what works for you and use it to concentrate!
