Igor Fontenele

In the Brazilian corporate environment, enhancing skills is fundamental to achieving superior results. The intense routine of managers, filled with deadlines, daily tasks, and meetings, can make it difficult to focus on developing these competencies. However, it is possible to integrate this improvement into the daily routine, making the process more efficient and less time-consuming. The idea is similar to the concept of organic learning, well explained and exemplified in the book “Lifelong Learners – The Power of Continuous Learning” (see Amazon).

Interestingly, this busy corporate scenario leads us to believe that we need to stop everything we’re doing to learn something, as if there is no learning amid the productive process, meetings, and often overwhelming tasks. As Guimarães Rosa aptly summarizes, “the flow of life bundles everything up.” We cannot see the light of learning amidst all the checkmarks we need to complete.

Another interesting fact that supports this notion is the finding from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) that indicates only 10% of leadership development should come from structured programs, while the other 90% should be divided between practical experimentation (70%) and self-discovery (20%).

So, how can one develop in the midst of this routine? The challenge arises. Here are some tips that help me daily:

Focus on Parts: Before starting any formal course, it is essential to identify which specific areas of learning need development. Use feedback from performance evaluations or results from internal surveys. Focusing on one or two specific competencies at a time is more efficient than trying to develop broadly.

Break Learning into Small Pieces: Avoid overloading yourself with too much content at once. Watch short videos, three to five minutes a day, and record the main points and ideas to apply daily. Whether in a notebook, on Notion, or any other tool, it is crucial to register each step of the learning process. Keep a learning journal where you note your experiences, what worked, what didn’t, and how you felt during the process. This will help internalize new behaviors and adjust your leadership style as needed.

Seek References: Observe leaders within your organization or professional network who demonstrate the qualities you wish to develop. See how they communicate, make decisions, and handle challenges. If possible, ask about their approaches and seek to understand the reasoning behind their decisions.

Reflect: Reflecting on your observations is crucial. Record your notes and think about how you can incorporate these practices into your own leadership style. Developing a unique leadership approach involves being clearly aware of your limitations and the need to develop them alongside your references.

Try: Adopt an experimental mindset. Try modifying your typical behavior based on something you learned from courses or observing other leaders. For instance, if you usually prefer confrontations, try approaching a difficult situation with a new strategy. Plan your actions in advance, implement them, and observe the results.

Integrate Learning into Daily Life: Understand that skill development is a continuous process and should be an integral part of professional life. Small daily actions are more effective in the long run than sporadic and intensive efforts.

Learn in Different Contexts: Developing skills is not restricted to the workplace. Participating in community activities, religious groups, or even being the captain of a football team can be valuable opportunities to practice and enhance your leadership skills.

Conclusion

Developing skills is an ongoing effort that can and should be integrated into the daily routine. With dedication and constant investment of time, you can significantly improve your leadership competencies. Learning from various experiences and applying new knowledge in different contexts not only accelerates your professional growth but also enriches your life as a whole.