In 2020, Jack Welch made a profound observation in GE's annual shareholder report: "We've long believed that when the rate of change inside an institution becomes slower than the rate of change outside, the end is in sight. The only question is when."
This wisdom resonates even more powerfully today. As leaders, our ability to thrive depends on one critical factor: maintaining a faster rate of personal growth than the pace of external change. Let me share a framework for ensuring you stay ahead of the curve.
Your Growth Edge: The Three Pillars of Continuous Renewal
1. Continuous Learning
Consider Lisa Su, CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). In her journey to transform AMD from a struggling semiconductor company to an industry leader, she exemplifies the power of continuous learning. Already a Ph.D. engineer, she consistently deepens her expertise in emerging technologies while simultaneously expanding into new areas like leadership and strategic partnerships. She regularly engages with researchers, participates in technical conferences, and stays connected to the engineering teams to maintain technical currency while growing as a business leader.
Success leaves clues. As someone who coaches Fortune 500 executives, I've made intentional choices this year to expand my expertise:
— Immersing myself in AI's implications for leadership coaching
— Attending advanced neuroscience sessions as a Fellow at the Harvard Institute of Coaching
— Participating at the World Economic Forum in Davos to engage with global leaders across industries and understand emerging needs and opportunities
Map Your Growth: A 4-Point Check-In
2. Strategic Environment Design
Your environment shapes your growth. Consider these four dimensions:
Content Consumption (Your Brain Diet)
— What information are you regularly consuming?
— Is it diverse enough to challenge your assumptions?
— Does it expose you to emerging trends in adjacent fields?
Network Quality (Your Chosen Tribe)
— Who are your five closest professional connections?
— Does your network challenge or comfort you?
— Are you exposed to perspectives from different generations and industries?
Skill Development (Your Growth Edge)
— What new capability are you currently developing?
— Which skills will be crucial in your field 3-5 years from now?
— How are you preparing for those future demands?
Change Awareness (Your External Radar)
— What technological shifts could disrupt your industry?
— Which regulatory changes might affect your business model?
— What global trends could impact your strategy?
3. Systematic Execution
Knowledge and environment aren't enough without disciplined implementation. Let's break this down into three practical components that will help you turn insights into action:
Regular Review Rhythms
— Schedule quarterly self-audits to assess progress
— Create monthly learning objectives
— Set aside weekly reflection time to integrate new insights
Experimentation Framework
— Test new ideas in low-risk environments
— Gather feedback systematically
— Adjust approaches based on results
Accountability Design
— Share your learning goals with key stakeholders
— Find an accountability partner or mentor
— Document and celebrate progress milestones
How to Create Your Personal Learning Strategy
Now that we've explored the framework, let's translate these insights into a concrete action plan tailored to your specific needs and goals:
Take 15 minutes now to:
1. Audit your current state across these dimensions
2. Identify one gap in each pillar
3. Choose one small, specific action to address each gap
Examples:
— Schedule monthly virtual coffees with someone outside your industry
— Subscribe to a newsletter covering an adjacent field
— Commit to a micro-learning habit (15 minutes daily on a new skill)
— Set up a reverse mentoring relationship with a junior colleague
— Block 30 minutes every Friday for weekly reflection and planning
— Create a simple tracking system for your learning goals
The Power of Small Steps
Remember, transformation doesn't require massive changes. Small, consistent actions compound over time. The key is starting now.
Ask yourself: "What simple action can I take today that my future self will thank me for?"
If you haven’t taken it in the last year, you can also explore potential growth areas through my free Promotability Index® assessment, available here: https://bit.ly/Promotability
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Fresh from Davos: My talk on 'Leadership in the Wake of AI' highlighted a critical insight — AI isn't just changing how we work, it's redefining change itself. From discrete events to continuous evolution. (More insights coming soon.)
Launching at University of Dayton's Center for Leadership: My new Promotability Index® program helps identify and accelerate tomorrow's leaders. Interested in bringing this transformative one-day workshop to your organization? Let's talk.
This April in DC: I'll moderate a panel of Chief Compliance Officers at Compliance Week's 20th Annual conference, exploring leadership strategies for an AI-enabled future. Join us as we examine what distinguishes exceptional compliance executives.
Here's to staying curious and growing together,
Amii
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FOR EXECUTIVE COACHES:
Exclusive Opportunity — Limited to 5 Seats
Partnering with Stack, I'm launching an elite program for coaches ready to scale their impact. Starts April 15th.
Is this you? Apply here: https://www.stack.expert/amii
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