Ten Habits to Becoming a Better Leader
My school career was not something I am proud of. Poor marks littered my report cards. Too many results were surrounded by a prominent red circle! Fortunately I was able to pass the necessary exams each time to progress to the next level. Looking back I am still amazed I completed my National School Leaving Certificate in the prescribed twelve years. Forty years ago learning was the furthest thing from my mind. I found the classes boring and did not spend enough time preparing for my assessments due to multiple distractions. Sadly the habit of learning was missing for the whole of my school career.
It was part of the South African defense force training from 1952 till 1994 that all eighteen year old male citizens should undergo military training. Thus I was conscripted into the army after completing my schooling. To my dismay the army also had multiple assessments early in the training process. We had to learn all about military maneuvers and weaponry to name only two aspects. One aspect I did enjoy however was the specialised training in Signaling which included radio communications, cryptography, constructing and erecting antennas as well as some work on batteries and generators. As signalers we were also the people called to install the lights in the temporary base tents. All this was new to me and complex yet exciting. My heart sank as I started to prepare for the evaluations; what would happen should I fail those exams.
The military environment was very different from school. All the information seemed interesting, useful and easy to apply, especially the courses on signaling. As a result I achieved good marks from the start of the new learning journey. Soon my enthusiasm grew when it came to learning and assessments. Slowly but surely my commitment to the subjects improved which progressively led to better and better results. For one test I achieved 85% which was almost double that which I managed at school – I was over the moon. Those two years of learning kick started a good habit. The joy of learning new information, applying it and celebrating good marks became the norm.
On completing my military service I wrote the National Technical Certificate which I achieved with distinction. My learning today is continual, even up to the present! To my surprise I continued to achieve top students in some subjects over the years. Annually multiple certifications enhance specific skills and abilities. As the years progressed I completed various qualifications including two degrees. Reading also became a norm and I now complete many books each year – twenty in the past year!
Everyone I meet I encourage to embrace continual learning. Change is ever present and we need this approach to life to ensure that we stay a few steps ahead. There are so many daily enhancements in processes, technology and systems that if we decide that we have learnt enough, by standing still, we will effectively move backwards.
Leaders need to set an example and ensure that they are up to date in their own fields and even their general knowledge. Especially with the advent of new technologies and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Models, also known as Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI Chatbots; it is very easy to fall behind.
I trust that if learning is not your passion find a subject that interests you just like I did when I entered the army. Adopting a positive attitude to continual learning will change your life!
Paul Tanton
Leadership Entrepreneur and Coach
