I'm re listening to an audio book that our team leader @ HubSpot Academy, Mark Kilens, recommend to me last year - Taking People With You: The Only Way to Make Big Things Happen by David Novak, CEO of Yum Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell)
The book is great because it's written kindof like a guide and ends with self-assessments at the end of each chapter. I was struck by chapter 3 - Be an avid learner (sound familiar?) and the questions he asks the listener /reader to assess themselves on. Maybe asking these questions and reflecting on your answers to them will help inspire insights and actions to help you "take more people with you" on whatever it is you are trying to accomplish in your life right now:
Assess yourself on the following items related to being an avid learner:
1.) "People around me would say that I am a good listener"
Now, when you say that, where do you think you see a personal opportunity (to make it more true) and where do you also see a personal strength?
2.) "I am open about - and willing to admit - when I don't have all the answers."
Where do you see your opportunity to grow on that statement? Where do you see your personal strength?
3) "I regularly cross boundaries to include those people different from me in order to expand my thinking."
Where do you see your personal opportunity? And where do you see your personal strength?
4)" I readily adopt and integrate ideas from others - and publicly give them credit."
Where's your personal opportunity? And where's your personal strength?
5) "I regularly expose myself to the best technologies, minds, ways of doing things, businesses, and training that I can"
Where do you see your personal opportunity here? Do you see your personal strength?
Exercises:
Exercise 1) Consider your previous responses to the above.... Are you doing all you can to build know how, and expand your IQ?
Ask yourself, "what additional know how could I use?"
"... Where and WHEN am I going to get it?"
And
"Am I listening with an open mind to the thoughts and ideas of others?"
Exercise 2) do you seek out opportunities to Build your know-how ?
Think about the people you interact with on a regular basis and ask yourself:
"Who are 3 people I know who might have some knowledge, that would help me execute my next big GOAL?"
Then go seek them out, and get your know how!
If you want to learn more about this book, and how to go about, as David says, "Taking People With You", check out David's website - www.takingpeoplewithyou.com.
Your turn to share:
Have you read this book before? What did you think?
Are you committed to the habit of continuous learning? If so, how do you keep it up?
How did you do on David Novak's assessment from Chapter 3 (referenced above)? What are some of your personal strengths? What are some of your personal opportunities?
