Going back to school

If you are lucky, your job makes you routinely "go back to school". It requires you learn something new...often. If your leadership role doesn't demand that of you, then it's probably time to put together your own curriculum. Standing still is not a great 21st century strategy. We need to be constantly learning new things. It's difficult. You have a thousand unread e-mails, back-to-back meetings and there is always more work to do than hours in the day. There are some simple and fast ways to infuse learning into your day and week. (Those of you who know what I am talking about already do some of these, but here goes anyway):

• Have coffee or lunch with someone at work who does different work. has a different take or holds different beliefs from you
• Read an article or book that has nothing to do with your work but broadens your view of the world or stretches you in some way
• Attend a meeting you might not normally attend in an area that is interdependent with yours
• Subscribe to blogs that ping you every week or month and read them
• Add a new weekly activity or practice. This can be something you used to enjoy but haven't done for years, something artistic or reflective, like mediation
• Add physical activity to your routine (whatever you do for your body, helps your heart and your brain).

Going "back to school" routinely is essential for anyone who leads others. It will also help your thinking become more innovative, creative, and agile.