I was recently reminded how important it is to learn lessons from our leaders. That got me to thinking that there are a number of ways in which we can learn leadership lessons. For example, I learned a strong work ethic from my parents. They were both very hard workers, modeling that daily for my brother, sister and I. More recently, I learned lessons in courage from my brother, who nearly lost his life battling COVID, spending 53 days in the hospital. In fact, he was told just before he was placed on a ventilator that he probably wouldn’t make it. Who have you learned from, and what have been some of your best lessons learned?

As a leader, I’ve learned about leadership, from a number of sources. Interestingly however, I don’t recall any leadership lessons I learned from either my undergraduate or graduate studies. That’s why I am pleased to see that seminary students are being taught leadership principles when they participate in a NXTGEN Pastors Cohort, which I’ve been blessed to assist one of our pastors with over the past few years. Pastors need to know how to lead, just as they need to know how to preach, teach and counsel.
I have learned, and continue to learn about leadership from books that I read. For example, I recently read the 25^th anniversary edition of John Maxwell’s classic book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. That is the book I use more than any other to mentor emerging and new leaders.
I learn from mentors and mentees I have had, and from many excellent leaders that I had the privilege of reporting to. I previously wrote this article about the many things I learned to do from my leaders.
I also shared this article about a few things that I learned not to do from my leaders. It’s important to learn both – what to do, and what not to do. We should always be learning. John Maxwell has written that we should make personal growth a priority. Do you have a similar list of items that you have learned from your leaders?
I’ve learned from books and from my leaders, but mostly, I’ve learned leadership by actually practicing it. In the beginning, as a new leader, I acted on instinct. I didn’t have any leadership training. I relied on that work ethic that I got from my parents. Leading a team of part-time minimum wage cleaners, I was responsible for everything – from putting the “Help Wanted” ad in the local newspaper, interviewing, hiring/firing, meeting with the customer, quality control, managing of the budget, etc. I’m sure I made plenty of mistakes, but I learned.
What lessons have you learned from actually practicing leadership?

I’ve shared some ways that I’ve learned how to be a leader. How have you learned how to be a leader? What would you add to my list?