Twelve years after my last ski season, I found myself back on the slopes at Big Sky, MT and the first thing I did was take a ski lesson. A lot of folks say that for an experienced skier, a lesson is a waste of a day on the mountain. That muscle memory will kick in and you will be able to move around freely at your own pace if you simply just start skiing. But I know better.
Even when I lived in Colorado and skied regularly, I still took at least 2 lessons per season, because there is always something to learn and ways to get better so I can enjoy skiing even more. I was able to improve my skills with a small technical tweak, find a new way to tackle steeper terrain, or make an adjustment that allowed me to conquer more of the mountain. I up-leveled my skills with each lesson and it showed.
Leadership training works the same way. Many leaders assume experience alone is enough. But if you’ve never had formal training, or if it’s been years since your last real development opportunity, how will you know what skills you are missing? What could use sharpening, refining, or expanding upon? Good leaders are continuously improving so they can navigate tougher challenges, build stronger teams, and lead with more confidence. Like me on the mountain, they’re up-leveling their skills.
Leadership training is an investment, not an expense, for you and your team. It’s not meant to simply fix what’s broken. It’s meant to take what’s working and make it even better. As a leader, you shouldn’t be coasting on what you already know. You should be refining, improving, and staying ready for what’s next.
What’s one skill you can sharpen today to make your next challenge easier?
Resources
- Is Your Year Off to the Start You Envisioned?
- Closing the Gap Between Leadership Expectations and Team Performance
Don’t see the resource you’re looking for? I can help. Schedule a complimentary strategy session for more resources and tangible action items.
