Hello, and happy Monday.
First a Quote: “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s own ignorance.” — Confucius
Fairly early in my career I was motivated to advance in my career. I wanted to do more. I was driven to test my capabilities, and expand my horizons.
Hungry for growth, I went to our HR department to explore my options and decide next steps. Although they appreciated my motivation, initiative and desire for growth, they also made it clear my lack of an advanced degree would likely be a barrier to my advancement, at least within that company.
So, with the goal of expanding my responsibilities and leadership capacity, and choosing to stay at that company, off to school I went. After several years of Saturdays and weeknights, I graduated as a non-traditional student with an Executive MBA from Lake Forest School of Management in Lake Forest, IL.
Still a source of pride and accomplishment for me as school and formal education was often a challenge for me.
Now to the point! The education I received at LFGSM certainly served me well over the years.
I wouldn’t be where I am today, doing what I’m doing, without that additional education and experience.
However, upon reflection, the most important thing I learned wasn’t in the books, projects, assignments or lectures. It didn’t come out of a case study, was never graded, or even a formal part of the LFGSM curriculum.
“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”
John Wooden
The most valuable lesson I learned was: “The more I learn in life, the more I’m aware of how much I don’t know and have yet to learn.” I have a greater awareness of my own ignorance in so many ways, and in so many places.
There is a huge difference between not knowing what we don’t know and, knowing how much we don’t know. This is about self-awareness.
Pick a topic, any topic, accounting, marketing, law, human resources, operations. I received one semester on each of those topics (and others) at LFGSM. Now compare that to people who have earned PhD’s on each of those topics, or perhaps more importantly, have a lifetime of experience working in those fields.
It is always a reminder of how much I haven’t learned yet.
Joyce Cary said:
“It is the tragedy of the world that no one knows what he doesn’t know - and the less a man knows, the more sure he is that he knows everything.”
I choose not to be one of those people.
For me personally, the awareness of how much I don’t know has kept me both hungry and humble… hungry enough to never stop learning… and humble enough to look to others more knowledgeable and more experienced for advice, answers and direction.
All the successful leaders I know are lifelong learners by choice. And, while taking a class here or there, reading books, or listening to an occasional Ted Talk are all great approaches to continuous learning. Life and work offer you many additional opportunities to grow and learn.
If you lead, or work, with people, it is quite likely you know hundreds of “teachers” who could teach you something, if you’re only willing to intentionally listen and learn.
Going forward, you will be presented with an opportunity to make a conscious choice between three roles; teacher, student or “know-it-all.” Which role will you choose? Leaders are both teacher and students, and rarely “know-it-alls.”
Leaders learn. Leaders read. Leaders seek the teachers that surround them all day, every day.
Go buy a spiral notepad and start taking notes… your teachers are everywhere and they’re waiting.
How will you live, love, or lead better this coming week?
Bonus Quotes Below.
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On LinkedIn: Click here to subscribe to the MMM newsletter on LinkedIn. (Recommended)
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All the best to you!!
Sincerely,
Bryan Yager
** Revised and updated. First published on April 9, 2018*
Big news announcement from my world!
My first book has been published and it is available now!
Sincerely,
Bryan Yager
“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”
** Revised and updated. Originally published on January 25, 1921*
Do you know someone who might benefit from this weekly leadership minute? If so, please feel free to pass along the subscription link below:
-
On LinkedIn: Click here to subscribe to the MMM newsletter on LinkedIn. (Recommended)
-
Via email: Click here to subscribe to MMM and have it sent directly to your email inbox each Monday.
Bonus Quotes:
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“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” – Maya Angelou
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“First impressions matter. Experts say we size up new people in somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes.” – Elliott Adams
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The art of communication is the language of leadership” – James Humes
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“Our first impressions are generated by our experiences and our environment, which means that we can change our first impressions… by changing the experiences that comprise those impressions.” – Malcolm Gladwell
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“A good first impression can work wonders.” – J. K. Rowling
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“Two things remain irretrievable: time and a first impression.” – Cynthia Ozick
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“You only get one chance to make a good first impression, and yours may be in the hands of the receptionist.” – Harvey Mackay
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“If people are failing, they look inept. If people are succeeding, they look strong and good and competent. That’s the ‘halo effect.’ Your first impression of a thing sets up your subsequent beliefs. If the company looks inept to you, you may assume everything else they do is inept.” – Daniel Kahneman
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“Each of us is full of too many wheels, screws and valves to permit us to judge one another on a first impression, or by two or three external signs.” – Anton Chekhov
