Learning Agendas for Leaders

In the last post we looked at how you can create a learning agenda for yourself.  This is a powerful process because instead of just focusing on achieving a goal, you’re actually working on who you want to become.  Today, let’s explore some other cool ways to apply this idea.

Let’s say you want to become a better leader.  Maybe you’ve been told by your boss that you are deficient in certain skills for leadership.  Or you took one of those psychological profile tests that highlighted specific areas you are weak.

Suppose that you are made aware that you need to be a better communicator.  People leave your meetings not sure what they’re supposed to do.  They’re anxious because they don’t know the targets they’re working toward.  You could start a learning agenda at becoming a rock star presenter, as we discussed yesterday.  Then you could extrapolate how you can use those platform communication skills in smaller venues, like a staff meeting.

Let’s suppose you find out that what is really preventing you from becoming a better leader is a lack of empathy abilities...

You could create an amazing learning agenda for this by deciding to read one book a month on the subject, and finding a couple blogs or YouTube channels devoted to empathy.  Then you might really supercharge your agenda by adding in some real life experience and become a coach for your daughter’s Pee Wee football team, and volunteering one day a month, feeding people at a homeless shelter.

When you do some critical thinking and construct a learning agenda in this way, you craft a much more powerful end result.  You reach goals and become a better, wiser, or more talented person.

In the next post, we will look at the commonalities (and the problems) between developing learning agendas and finding balance in your life.  Until then, I'd love to see your suggestions on learning agendas for leadership skills.

- RG