Page 253 - The extraordinary leader

230 • The Extraordinary Leader

that messages of vision, values, mission, and strategy need to be repeated over
and over. How many times? Some have said that people really do not take a
message seriously until the seventh time they hear it. The number is proba-
bly different for each of us, depending on the topic and what is
happening in our lives. However, it is clear that the message needs frequent
repeating. We advocate that you practice repeating those messages frequently
to the associates with whom you work.

25. Prepare for your next job. Think ahead regarding the skills you
will need
One mistake that many leaders make is not to start getting prepared for their
next assignment or role. Like the chess player who sees two or three moves
ahead, so are wise leaders looking into the future for the roles they will be
playing, and then preparing themselves with the skills that will be needed in
those new roles. Will the future require more technical expertise? More strate-
gic thinking skills? A different kind of business acumen? Whatever those new
requirements may be, it is never too early to be identifying them and taking
active steps to add them to your skill set.

Conclusion
There are those who argue that all development is self-development. It has
been estimated that more than 80 percent of what people learn while work-
ing in organizations has been gained on the job, casually and informally. No
matter how powerful the classroom experience, it pales in comparison with
the learning that comes from experience. How much people gain from their
experience is nearly all up to them. Regardless of the percentage, it is clear
that leaders can make huge strides by taking responsibility for their own devel-
opment. They should not count on the organization to do that for them.
The 25 suggestions of things to develop your own leadership abilities were
meant to convey the message that all leaders can do a great deal on their own.
Do not rely on the organization to make you an even better leader. There are
extensive and powerful steps you can take to move you well down the path to
becoming an extraordinary leader. For further information about programs
and materials designed to help leaders improve their skills please go to our
website at www.zengerfolkman.com.