August 8, 2011

Meaning: Leadership is a complex concept made up of knowledge, abilities and skills. Developing leadership skills takes practice. Even the greatest leaders will tell you they’re constantly refining their skills. I’ve seen many executives advance their careers by incrementally improving their leadership. Conversely, I’ve watched some executives not fully leverage their potential by relying on what’s worked in the past and thinking it will work equally well in the future. The increasing complexity of the business world forces leaders to acquire new skills, which makes ongoing development and practice even more important. 

Ideas for Action:  Leadership practice begins with intentionality and a commitment to improve on a regular basis. I remember my high school football coach used to say, “Luck is what happens when opportunity meets the preparation.” When the opportunity of a fumble occurred, we were prepared to get the football. That same premise holds true for leadership. You need to practice and prepare for opportunities that come your way.
 
A recent study by researchers at University College London found that it took, on average, 66 days of daily practice before a desired behavior became automatic. While they found that skipping single days wasn’t detrimental in the long run, early repetitions delivered the greatest boost in automaticity, before it eventually plateaued. They also learned that some people took far longer to form habits, suggesting a habit resistance.
 
To improve your odds of enhancing your leadership abilities through practice, create a personalized development plan. Divide it into sections: individual goals (self-improvement), team goals (relationship improvement) and organizational goals (organizational impact). Then, determine what you’ll practice to achieve your goals. For instance, “I will be more open to new ideas and ask for more details before making a decision.” or, “I will contribute a new idea at each division meeting.” You get the idea. 

Solicit input on your development goals from peers and direct reports. This ensures greater accountability and engages others in your ongoing development. As you progress, routinely ask the same people for feedback to ensure you’re on the right track in your practices. The surest way to repeat bad habits is by never asking for outside help or insight.

Once armed with feedback, take time to reflect on what you have learned. What would you do again that worked? What might you do differently next time? Based on this self-analysis, adjust your practices accordingly. If need be, try new approaches toward leadership in a low-risk environment, such as in a community volunteer group. Non-work leadership opportunities like these also offer an ideal practice opportunity!
 
By regularly practicing desired leadership behaviors, you’ll be prepared for opportunities and “luck” will be on your side!

Best regards,
Scott Nelson, Executive Vice President