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Level Up Your Leadership Game: 10 Ways to Learn from the Best

Erika Willitzer
Jul 11
3 min read

Ever wonder how top-tier leaders seem to have all the answers, the confidence, and the charisma? Spoiler alert: they weren’t born that way. They learned, observed, and absorbed wisdom from others—and you can too. According to SCORE’s insightful article, there are 10 smart ways to tap into the minds of experienced leaders and elevate your own leadership style.

Here’s the cheat sheet:

📚 Ask for Book Recommendations

Want to know what’s shaping a leader’s mindset? Ask what they’re reading. It’s a great way to spark conversation and dive deeper into their thought process.

💼 Leverage LinkedIn

Many seasoned leaders share golden nuggets of advice on LinkedIn. Follow them, engage with their posts, and soak up the free mentorship.

🎧 Listen to Podcasts & TedTalks

From inspiration to practical tips, these formats offer bite-sized brilliance from people who’ve been there, done that—and thrived.

👀 Observe Their Habits

Watch how they balance work and life, handle stress, and interact with others. Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about behavior.

🎨 Attend Workshops & Networking Events

Get in the room where it happens. Whether virtual or in-person, these events are prime opportunities to learn directly from the pros.

🔍 Research Best Practices

Dig into how leaders overcame their biggest challenges. Their failures often teach more than their successes.

🧘 Seek Advice on Self-Awareness

Great leaders know themselves well. Ask how they stay grounded, reflect, and grow emotionally.

🧑‍🏫 Get Expert Mentorship

Find a mentor who’s walked the path you’re on. Their guidance can be a game-changer for your confidence and clarity.

📖 Read Leadership Books

Classics like Start with Why by Simon Sinek offer timeless insights. Highlight passages and share them with your team.

💬 Start Conversations

Sometimes, the best way to learn is simply to ask. Leaders love sharing their journeys—just give them the space to do it.

Here is a template for a personalized leadership growth plan:

🌟 Personal Leadership Learning Plan Template

📍 Step 1: Define Your Leadership Goals

What kind of leader do I want to be?
What leadership skills do I need to improve or develop?
What’s my leadership timeline (short- and long-term goals)?

Example:

“In the next 3 months, I want to improve my confidence in public speaking and learn how to better delegate tasks.”

🧠 Step 2: Identify Learning Resources

🪶 Books & Articles: Choose 2–3 leadership books or blogs to read this quarter.
🎧 Podcasts & TED Talks: Pick weekly content from experienced leaders in your industry.
📚 Courses/Workshops: Enroll in online courses (free or paid) related to communication, decision-making, or emotional intelligence.

Example Tools: | Type | Source/Title | |--------------------|----------------------------------------| | Book | Dare to Lead by Brené Brown | | Podcast | The Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast | | Course | LinkedIn Learning: “Leading with Emotional Intelligence” |

🤝 Step 3: Connect with Mentors & Role Models

Schedule monthly chats or shadow sessions with a mentor.
Attend at least one leadership networking event.
Follow 3–5 impactful leaders on LinkedIn and engage with their content.

✍️ Step 4: Practice Active Reflection

Create a weekly “Leadership Reflection Log” to jot down:

Wins & challenges
Lessons learned
Adjustments to make

You can format this as a journal, spreadsheet, or even a voice memo!

📈 Step 5: Measure Progress

Set specific KPIs for your leadership growth (e.g., confidence rating from 1–10, feedback from peers).
Reassess every month and tweak the plan accordingly.
Celebrate your milestones—even the small ones!

🚀 Bonus Ideas