The Importance of Becoming a Lifelong Learner

Guest Contribution by Ashley Bryant

In a recent interview with Campbell Soup’s CEO, Denise Morrison, she’s quoted as saying, “I knew from an early age that I wanted to lead a company. I developed a strategic process for my career path that set the final destination, developed the career track, identified skills to build, took positions to gain experience and sought leadership and management training on the job.” Denise Morrison understands that in order to reach the top, you must become a lifelong learner. Taking risks, learning how to effectively network and developing leadership and management skills are just a few items she calls out in recounting how she rose through the ranks and eventually became one of the most respected female CEOs of our time.

Lifelong learners typically have an unquenchable taste for knowledge, never feeling completely fulfilled with the experience they have. In today’s market where new technologies and business practices are on the rise, those that commit to lifelong learning boast a competitive edge that elevates them above their peers. In 1990, John Gardner delivered a speech that is now thought of as one of the more influential business speeches of our time, calling out lifelong learning and personal renewal as the only way to prevent business minds from becoming flat. He remarked that “most men and women out there in the world of work are more stale than they know, more bored than they would care to admit.” So how do we prevent from becoming stale? Below are some ideas to ponder as you cultivate your plan to become a lifelong learner.

Develop Your Skills as a Leader
Developing and improving upon your leadership skills should be a daily practice. A good way to start improving upon these skills is to take this quiz to find out what kind of leader you are. After reviewing your results you can now begin to assess the qualities of your dominant leadership style. With your quiz results in mind, make a list of how your leadership skills can help and hinder not only those you manage, but also your co-workers and other business contacts. Be mindful of your strengths and downfalls and make plans to improve upon any negatives in your leadership style.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Developing the skills and knowledge necessary to be a successful executive requires you to step out of your comfort zone. Do you lack experience in a foreign market? When the job opportunity presents itself, it’s a good idea to take a role overseas. Mansour Javidan, Dean of Research at Thunderbird’s School of Global Management, notes that international experience often catapults managers over their counterparts, explaining that experience in new and emerging markets “is more frequently becoming a prerequisite for top-level executive jobs.”

Obtain an Advanced Degree
In the increasingly competitive work environment, a smart woman knows she must have an advanced degree on her resume. Angel Burgos, Executive Director of the MBA Programs at Florida International University, shares that “skills, analysis and relationships are three components of a successful corporate executive,” and coincidentally, one way these skills can be learned is through obtaining an advanced degree like a MBA. Burgos adds that it’s best to wait until you’ve had significant experience in the workplace before obtaining an advanced degree, as waiting allows you to bring your own real-life experiences to the classroom. Obtaining an advanced degree not only makes you more apt to take on bigger challenges outside of the classroom, but it also allows you to learn from peers in other industries and fields, all while building a well-rounded business mind.

Find a Mentor
Mentors can add tremendous value to your life both personally and professionally. Finding a valuable mentor allows you to gain knowledge, build lasting relationships and develop professionally. A well-rounded individual seeks mentors from multiple backgrounds, therefore enhancing their mentorship experience. When looking for mentors, make sure that the relationship has a good balance of give and take, allowing you to build a mutually beneficial relationship. Keep in mind that the mentee is the one responsible for the overall success of the relationship. Before you meet with a mentor, establish a plan and develop a vision with concrete goals, and be sure to revisit your plan regularly.

In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell states that it takes someone roughly 10,000 hours to perfect a skill. No one is born a great leader or CEO, but they can learn how to achieve greatness professionally. Fierce dedication that is carefully thought out and passionately pursued is paramount to becoming a lifelong learner. For daily inspiration as you pursue your professional goals, hopes and dreams, visit Rewireme.com, a site focused on unlocking your mind and realizing your full potential.

Guest advice and opinions are not necessarily those of theglasshammer.com