The Top 10 Leadership Habits You Must Cultivate in 2023
To say the world is changing fast is a cliché. But it’s a cliché grounded in truth. Just consider: Only three years ago—at the turn of the current decade— “working from home” was a perk reserved for a privileged few, inflation stood at historic lows, Western banks were considered rock solid, artificial intelligence was an experimental technology of interest to mostly IT professionals and futurists, and California was forecasting years of extreme drought.
Today, a quarter of American employees work remotely, the inflation rate is at levels not seen since the 1970s, an alarming number of banks have suddenly failed or are on the verge of collapse, advanced AI is being injected into virtually every major search engine and work platform in America, and whole chunks of California are underwater. Literally.
As the ground continues to shift beneath us, business leaders who want to stay leaders must develop the kinds of habits that allow them to keep up with rapidly shifting conditions. And by habits, I mean these practices must become compulsive. They must become imperatives. They are routines that leaders must not just want to do, but absolutely need to do to remain relevant to their companies and stakeholders.
As the world transforms around us, here are 10 powerful ways to stay ahead of the curve:
1. Make a commitment to learning. In school, we are repeatedly told learning is a lifelong pursuit. And indeed, it is. To be a business leader is to be always on the lookout for new ideas, new techniques, new tools, and new solutions. You want to stay on the cutting edge of not just tech, but economics, business trends, and social theory, as you hungrily search to identify the Next Big Thing.
2. Read books and articles on leadership. Also as in school, learning tends to start with the written word. Fortunately, today, there is not only a plethora of material, but it can also usually be accessed with the push of a button. It should take little effort to find material relevant to your own situation and tailored to your needs. Subscriptions to Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review are well worth your time and money.
3. Find a mentor or coach, then work with them (often). Unless you are looking to retire soon, chances are there are many in your social circle who are older, wiser, and more experienced. These people can be valuable resources. Mine them. Ask for their help. Their guidance. And understand that such relationships can be two-way streets: While you can learn from their knowledge and expertise, they can benefit from your youthful energy and enthusiasm!
4. Attend workshops or training courses. There are plenty of leadership training courses available either in-person or online, depending on your location and schedule. Even if it means going back to basics, keeping your skills sharp and limber helps ensure you’re ready to move quickly and decisively as the situation requires.
5. Participate in group discussions or exercises. As we all know, it’s one thing to “book learn” and quite another to apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios. Practicing skills in a workshop setting is a great way to get feedback from other professionals and develop empathy with others.
6. Record yourself speaking. When you’re in the act of speaking, it’s hard to judge yourself objectively—even if you do it in a mirror. Fortunately, our smart phones are equipped with video and audio recording capabilities. Set your phone on a tripod, then record yourself giving a speech or other presentation. Then, in playback, you can objectively critique your vocal technique, how you use your hands and body, and identify anything you wish to improve.
7. Take on new responsibilities. We’re always told good leaders are good delegators. Yet sometimes it’s good to assume new responsibilities yourself to stretch your skillsets, especially to attain a better appreciation for the nuts and bolts of your organization’s operations.
8. Take a public speaking class. Few of us are naturally good public speakers. Such a skill requires training, practice, and expert feedback. Taking public speaking classes can not only help you polish your declamatory skills, but they’re useful in helping you organize your thoughts, think on your feet, and be a more effective communicator, no matter the size of your audience.
9. Do Something Out of Your Comfort Zone (Weekly). Ever skydived? Bungee jumped? Skied a black diamond? If not, these activities are bound to terrify you—at first. But then afterwards, they are likely to empower you, improving your confidence and giving you the courage to take necessary risks.
10. Have fun! There’s more to life than work. Get out and explore the world. Do what excites you. What stimulates you. You only go around once!
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These are just a few of the ways leaders can become more effective at what they do. As corporate culture and compensation specialists, we’re experts at helping business leaders achieve their full potential. To learn more about how we can help you “be all that you can be,” please contact us at laura@conoverconsulting.com.