“The ability to process new experiences, to find their meaning and to integrate them into one’s life, is the signature skill of leaders and, indeed, of anyone who finds ways to live fully and well.” —William Bennis
I find this quote very much to the point. What is implied requires two skills:
- the ability to venture beyond one’s comfort zone and be open to new experiences,
- and the ability to process this new experience and change oneself
Both can be challenging to people. For example, I do easily venture outside my comfort, but I am not completely sure I take advantage of all this experience to change quickly enough.
In addition, I like the relationship that Warren Bennis makes between the ability to change and leadership. A leader must be able to entice followers to come, she must also be able to recognize the need to change herself. This might not always be easy to do both.
How able do you find yourself going beyond your comfort zone, and to process the experience to change yourself?
