Why Great Leaders Never Stop Learning (And What You Should Focus On Next)
I’d like to share something with you that I know for sure.
After over 20 years of developing leaders, I can tell you that the learning never ends!
If you want to be a great leader, you have to understand that leadership never stays the same.
Why?
Well, your team is always changing, your industry is constantly shifting and what’s expected of you will also likely change each year.
If you’re not actively working on yourself, you could get left behind.
So, if you want to keep evolving, where do you start?
I’m going to suggest the following three ways:
- Ask for feedback
- Take a self-assessment to find out more about your strengths and weaknesses
- Be honest about the weakness that you need to develop
Let me delve deeper into each of these areas.
1. Ask for feedback (even when it’s uncomfortable)
Many leaders avoid asking for feedback. They’re worried about what they’ll hear.
It is important that you are aware of your blind spots. We all have them!
Where can you start? Well, ask your manager this one question: “What’s one thing I should focus on developing to be more effective in 2026?”
That’s it. Please don’t overthink this process. Just ask for one key area that you can develop.
This will give you a clear starting point and show your manager that you’re serious about learning and developing yourself.
2. Get objective data about yourself
Sometimes we need more than just opinions. Getting hard data about how you work, what your strengths are and where you struggle is a real game-changer!
This is where assessment tools can be helpful.
My go-to recommendation for leaders is the Everything DiSC Management Profile. Every single one of my coaching clients completes this assessment when we start working together and it’s always eye-opening.
The DiSC Profile shows you:
- Your natural leadership strengths and weaknesses
- How to direct, delegate, motivate and develop each person on your team based on their work style
- Practical strategies to improve your relationship with your own manager
It’s one of the most comprehensive tools out there for leaders who want real insights.
(If you’re interested in learning more about the DiSC assessment, feel free to email me at vanessa@mosaicpd.com.)
3. Ask yourself the hard questions
You don’t need a fancy tool to get started.
You just need to be willing to look in the mirror and ask: “What do I need to work on right now to be more effective?”
Maybe it’s giving more effective feedback. Maybe it’s delegating more often. Maybe it’s managing your time differently.
Pick one thing. Focus on it. Work on it over time. Don’t give up if you take two steps forward and one step back.
While you may not notice the results immediately, one year from now, you’ll look back and see real progress.
What resonates with you from the above list?
What can you do to keep evolving in 2026?
Thank you for sharing!
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