In a recent survey 125 alumni from across MOR’s leadership development programs were asked to identify areas of their ongoing development that they had a good handle on and also areas they need to focus on improving. Alumni were first asked how invested are they currently in their ongoing development:
The alumni were from a distributed mix of 2005-2017 graduates, from numerous universities and organizations. The top three competencies they felt they had a good handle on were:
All strong foundational elements for a leader.
As MOR suggests, learning about and practicing leadership is a lifelong pursuit. The top competencies the graduates prioritized as needs to focus on improving were:
#3-5 (41-42%):
All critical to a leaders continued success.
In the survey’s second section those responding shared a number of things they are doing to apply what they learned while staying engaged in their continued development. In the 5 areas of need mentioned above, those who are having success in these area report out on actions and practices that were working for them:
Expanding My Network:
Exercising Influence:
Focusing on the Important:
Coaching My Staff:
Staying Healthy:
Leadership, like any craft, needs to be practiced over the course of our lifetime. A number of folks have found setting aside time to get on the balcony or meeting with colleagues who have been through the MOR leaders program or by sending their staff through a similar program has kept the engagement going. You can also use the Tuesday Readings from Jim Bruce as a prompt to spend some time each week working on being a more effective leader as others are counting on you.
Keep in mind a reflection from one of your peers in this alumni community:
“As I write my reflection, I realize that a lot of good actually came out of a difficult month. The month reinforced to me the MOR concept of practice, as in practice makes perfect. Or, how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. I have to approach leadership as I have approached music. I’ve studied music my entire life, setting aside time to practice every day for decades, studying theory, performing as soloist, performing with bands and pit orchestras, and ultimately composing and hearing my music performed by others. With that daily practice, over time, it became second nature. It didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen. And, with practice, practice, practice, our leadership skills will become second nature as well.
See you all at Carnegie Hall!”
– Rimas Biliunas
Director of Information Technology, Case School of Engineering
Case Western Reserve University
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