Professional Development Archives - Capacity Building Solutions

Leaders Should Be Reading

As you advance in your career, your role shifts from executing tasks to engaging in critical thinking and strategic planning. You can hire people to handle the day-to-day tasks, but who is responsible for understanding the broader business environment and making strategic decisions? That’s on you. And you can’t rely on past experiences or gut instinct for that. Being well-read and informed is non-negotiable if you want your business to thrive and stay ahead of the curve.

Why Do Leadership Development Programs Fail?

60% of frontline managers fail within their first two years in the role. 26% feel they were not ready for the role, and 58% reported receiving no management training. Companies annually spend upwards of $150 billion on training, with as much as 70% of that amount wasted. Wouldn’t it be advisable to try a different, more effective approach?

Leadership Thought #340 – Are You Getting Better?

In business (and life), you are either growing and getting better or going in the opposite direction. Just like your muscles, your brain and natural abilities will atrophy if they don’t get exercise. You can’t stand still and expect progress. I’ve observed many individuals who gave up too soon. A little more effort and commitment could have made a significant difference. Furthermore, it’s sad when a leader stays on too long and becomes more interested in ego, power, and position than in effectively navigating change and facilitating progress.

Leadership Thought #290 – 15 Easy Things You Can Do to Improve as a Leader

As a leader, personal growth and development don’t always require strenuous labor or demanding tasks. Here are fifteen easy things you can do right away to improve your performance and results:

Leadership Thought #278 – Leadership Requires More Than Potential

In sports and in life, it doesn’t matter how much potential you have or how good you are if your team/organization consistently loses or doesn’t live up to expectations. I’ve seen many capable and talented leaders stumble when it comes to getting results from others. It’s not always the smartest, most confident, and technically superior person who wins, but the leader who is able to get impressive results from average people.

Leadership Thought #229 – The Pursuit Of Knowledge Offers Big Advantages In Life

Knowledge doesn’t just mean being book smart, although this is often an important variable and shouldn’t be downplayed. It becomes wisdom when it is complemented with life experience and cultivated by a keen interest and/or passion in something. It involves both breadth and depth. There is no such thing as a one-dimensional expert.

Daily Leadership Thought #191 – Knowledge Without Action Is Just The Passage Of Time

The next time you engage in a training opportunity, I encourage you to walk away with 2-3 tangible action items that make sense to you and then ensure they happen. Approach any learning opportunity with a clear idea of what you want to get out of it before you begin. Prepare a list of questions you wish to have answered. Knowledge always resonates best when it is relevant.

Daily Leadership Thought #172 – Leadership Is A Learned Skill

The history of business is littered with the failures of innately gifted and talented leaders who never realized their full potential because they were slow to adapt, didn’t work hard enough to improve, couldn’t think their way out of a problem, or thought they had all the answers.

Daily Leadership Thought #168 – Reading IS Fundamental

You shouldn’t view reading as work. If it doesn’t come naturally, start small and avoid pushing yourself too hard too soon. The good news is that your reading capability will develop like a muscle, and it will only get easier with practice and time. You can also listen to audiobooks.