Here's how you can keep learning and staying updated in your respective field as an executive.

Establishing your peer network is a great way to share knowledge and keep up to date with the latest trends. If you're not sure how to start, look at professional associations. Join industry-specific professional organisations and attend their events. Participate in conferences, seminars, and workshops where you will get to know others in your field. Finally, utilise social media. Follow industry leaders on platforms like LinkedIn, there is so much knowledge already out there to access, make the most of it and engage with it.

Die Teilnahme an Peer-Netzwerken ist eine sehr effektive Methode, um Wissen auszutauschen und über die aktuellen Branchentrends informiert zu bleiben. Als Führungskraft können Sie von den umfangreichen Erfahrungen Ihrer Kollegen aus unterschiedlichsten Unternehmen profitieren. Der Beitritt zu professionellen Vereinigungen oder informellen Gruppen ermöglicht es Ihnen, an Diskussionen teilzunehmen, die Ihr Denken erweitern und neue Ideen bringen. Diese Netzwerke bieten häufig Events, Workshops und Seminare an, die Einblicke in die neuesten Best Practices und Innovationen geben. Das interessanteste ist das Peer-Netzwerke eine hervorragende Plattform bieten, um die eigene Expertise zu teilen und mein Fachwissen weiter zu vertiefen.

Some think that being a mentor is all about sharing your experience with the mentee to learn from, but if you approach the relationship with the perspective of a shared experience you can find inspiration from their view, background and experience. It can challenge your own thought process and open your mind to a new approach or idea.

Die Mentorenrolle ist ein Gewinn für beide Seiten. Die Übernahme einer Mentorenrolle bietet eine hervorragende Möglichkeit, die eigene Lernkurve zu verbessern. Durch das Anleiten anderer festigen Sie nicht nur Ihr eigenes Wissen, sondern bleiben auch über neue Konzepte und Entwicklungen informiert. Als Mentor müssen Sie stets aktuell bleiben, um wertvolle Ratschläge geben zu können, was Ihr eigenes Lernen und Wachstum unterstützt. Die Fragen und Perspektiven der Mentees inspirieren mich dazu, mir vertraute Probleme aus neuen Blickwinkeln zu betrachten, was meistens zu sehr innovativen Lösungen führt.

Staying "on top of your game" is not a one-time task—it's an ongoing activity that must become an essential part of your personality. To achieve this without overwhelming yourself, consider offering mentorship. This is a great way to test your skills and enhance your soft skills. Teaching, mentoring, and helping others succeed are as important as maintaining strong executive initiative and leadership roles and keeping updated with important and current information and trends.

Staying curious is key to maintaining a professional growth mindset. Investing in continuous education allows you to engage in lifelong learning, keeping your knowledge up to date and relevant. Participate in internal training and development opportunities, engage in cross-functional projects and activities within your organisation to gain insights into different areas. Continuous education doesn't necessarily mean a formal qualification, enroll in webinars and courses on platforms like LinkedIn Learning and listen to industry-specific podcasts. Watch relevant TED Talks or YouTube channels, there is so much out there, go and use it!

Eine Fortlaufende Bildung ist für mich das Fundament meines beruflichen Wachstums. Es bedeutet für mich nicht unbedingt, erneut einen Abschluss zu erwerben. Mir reicht es oft aus, sich für Online-Kurse anzumelden, Workshops zu besuchen oder Zertifizierungen in meinem Fachgebiet zu erlangen. Diese Bildungsangebote ermöglichen es mir, tiefer in meine Interessensgebiete einzutauchen und/oder mein Fachwissen auf neue Bereiche auszuweiten. Gleichzeitig zeige ich meinen Kollegen und unserem Team mein Engagement für ein kontinuierliches Lernen und Kompetenzerwerb – und bin damit ein Vorbild für meine Organisation.

I cannot stress this enough: It is not worth pursuing just any form of continuing education—it has to be targeted. Most of us have families or other important aspects of our lives that we shouldn't keep aside. In order to achieve this balance, it is imperative to Choose Wisely when selecting what and when to educate your inner leader and feed your inner executive. This is the right time to enhance your selectivity skills. Stay up to date, but be assertive in your decisions about what is convenient at a given time. Making wise choices will help you develop a strong work-life balance and reflect on yourself as a successful executive.

I tell my clients to align once in a while with 3 people whom they admire as leaders, executives, or in any other role important to them that they wish to emulate or admire in some aspect. Even though we are in the " no, I'll do it by myself, I don't want to share my struggle, and I don't want to share my success" era, I strongly believe we all need role models once in a while to keep us inspired and make us look forward. Look for these people's speeches, lectures, and books. This said, choose wisely, be strategic in what you pick to read, and invest your most valuable resources, time, focus, and energy. Is your career as an executive one that you want to continue prospecting and developing? Consider that with every decision from now on.

Strategic reading is reading materials/books that peak your interest and, align with personal and professional goals and challenges. Not just professional goals and challenges -- we are more than our work. And, it is not enough to absorb relevant information and inform yourself, there needs to be an understanding of how to apply and where to apply what you are reading. There is a process of reflective practice to apply what you are reading to your work or daily life.

Reflective practice is the foundation for professional development and is a way of recognising and articulating what we're learning. Reflective practice should be part of your regular activity and not a one-off or infrequent activity. Try to seek regular feedback from peers, subordinates, and mentors to help identify areas for improvement. Allow time for self-reflection to assess your progress and learning needs. Some questions for you to consider: What worked? What didn’t work? What caused the situation to arise? What are the reasons others and I behaved the way we did?

Reflective practice transforms everyday experiences into powerful learning opportunities. As an expert coach, I advocate for taking time to critically evaluate your work, decisions, and outcomes. This introspection uncovers patterns, identifies areas for improvement, and sparks innovative strategies for future challenges. Whether through journaling or discussing reflections with a trusted colleague, this methodical approach enhances your growth and effectiveness.

Staying updated and fostering continuous learning can be achieved through innovation forums: • Engage actively: Participate in industry-specific forums and conferences. • Network purposefully: Connect with thought leaders and innovators. • Share insights: Present your ideas and get feedback from peers. • Stay curious: Follow the latest trends and technologies discussed in these forums. • Collaborate: Work on projects or initiatives sparked by forum interactions. Innovation forums are dynamic environments that encourage fresh ideas and ensure you remain at the forefront of your field.

Two approaches will make your learning journey inspiring and almost unstoppable! 1. When I did my MBA way back in 2000, the MBA director told me most of what I learn during the progam will be outdated or redundant within only a few years. He said the secret to success was not just learning the material but learning how to learn. That stuck with me. 2. A wise mentor once told me to be the first to volunteer whenever anyone asks for one. I've also done that and ended up in some amazing roles because of it. Over the years, knowing how to learn and staying curious has really helped me a lot. I've completed at least four additional courses of study since my MBA but I've learned a whole lot more by volunteering when opportunities arise.

As an executive, keeping learning and staying updated in your field requires a commitment to continuous professional development. Regularly attend industry conferences, webinars, and workshops to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations. Engage with thought leaders and join relevant professional associations. Make time for reading industry publications, books, and research papers. Additionally, consider enrolling in advanced courses or executive education programs. Fostering a culture of learning within your organization can also provide valuable insights and encourage ongoing growth.