Leadership takes many forms. Leaders are found in boardrooms and classrooms, capitol buildings and community centers. No matter where they work, there are some things that all leaders have in common: the courage to tackle problems others shy away from, the charisma to rally others behind their cause, and the persistence to see solutions through to the end.
You might think those traits come naturally, but the truth is, great leadership is a skill developed through hard work and constant learning.
It is not always easy finding the time to learn when you are in charge, but it is important if you want to keep growing as a leader. To bolster your effectiveness as a leader, we at Novum Opus have some tips on how you can recommit yourself to learning by making time for these great leadership reads, courses, podcasts, and more.
Books for Your Reading List
Even if you cannot dedicate a week to a leadership course, you can learn a lot simply by cracking open a book. There are a lot of books written on leadership, but some stand apart from the pack. If you only have time for a few books, the following reads come highly recommended. If you want more, check out this list from Goodreads.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
The seven imperatives in Stephen Covey’s classic leadership book remain relevant to business and community leaders to this day.
The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations
In this book, authors James Kouzes and Barry Posner use case studies to examine the skills required for exemplary leadership.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts
Brené Brown has no shortage of books worth reading, but for leaders who want to become more courageous in their organizations, none is better than Dare to Lead.
Leadership Podcasts to Listen To
Not enough time to sit down with a good book? You can still consume valuable content while getting things done by listening to podcasts. These are the top podcasts that leaders are listening to:
Leadership and Loyalty
This podcast, hosted by Dov Baron, discusses the role of authenticity, emotional intelligence, and fearless honesty in leadership.
Engaging Leader
Designed for leaders who want to increase engagement in organizations, this podcast from Jesse Lahey covers topics like communication, culture, and accountability.
This is Your Life
Feeling burnt out? Listen to host Michael Hyatt as he discusses how high achievers can get more done without getting overwhelmed.
Dose of Leadership
Hear from the leaders who have been there as host Richard Rierson interviews coaches, CEOS, entrepreneurs, and other impactful leaders.
Networking Methods for Leaders
Networking can do more than just help land your next job. It is also an excellent way for leaders to expose themselves to new ideas and build new alliances to further their mission. Unfortunately, with many networking events cancelled due to COVID-19, leaders may find it harder than usual to network. Here are three ways Harvard Business Review notes leaders can continue to network, even as event cancellations roll in.
Create private networking opportunities
Instead of lamenting lost networking opportunities, make your own by inviting would-be conference attendees to a private virtual networking event.
Broaden your geographical horizons
Now that networking has moved online, you are no longer bound by geographical restrictions. Take this opportunity to network with far-away colleagues you might not otherwise have the opportunity to connect with.
Invite senior leaders to virtual working groups
Leaders can also find networking opportunities outside of conferences and events. Inviting a senior leader to online working groups is a great way to put yourself on their radar.
Get an advanced degree
If you have only achieved your bachelor’s in business, you can ramp up your skills AND build on your network if you return to school for your master’s degree. An MBA can take your career to new heights while also reinforcing what it takes to be a successful leader—just be sure to consider the financial implications of the additional years of schooling. If you choose an online program, you can learn at your own pace, continue to devote time to work responsibilities, and typically save some money in the process.
There is always more to learn when you are in charge. Whether you are just setting out on your path to leadership or you have been running an organization for years, make sure you are committing yourself to learning year-round.
This post was written by our guest blogger, Elena Stewart. You can find more of her work at her blog.