Why is personal development so necessary for leaders? | the best leader in 2023

Personal development is important for everyone, but it is particularly so for leaders. The complexity of leadership today means that no one Individual can have inherently all the talents and skills necessary to excel at all aspects of leading others.

Therefore, every leader must update and enhance their skills constantly and work on any identified areas of weakness. Failing to strive for personal development results in:

• Standing still – and, in an ever – changing business environment, to stand still means to fall behind.
• Fear of high performers around you and particularly those within your own team who show potential – rather than develop such individuals, you will likely do the opposite, holding them back because you fear they will outshine you. In the short term, you lose the motivation and performance benefits of developing these high performers; in the longer term, these individuals move on, where their talents are appreciated more and their career goals nurtured.
• Risk of being unable to sustain your knowledge base, thus limiting your ability to engage in detailed discussions on current or evolving trends, to be creative in how you respond to new problems or simply to project the air of confidence that comes from being informed and up – to – date on work – related matters.
• Narrowing the range of opportunities available to you in your present position and perhaps – and perhaps damaging your future career prospects, too.