3 Free Ways to Skyrocket Your Leadership Development

Professional chefs have one thing in common: great knives. They know that a knife is perhaps the most important tool in a chef’s toolbox. A great chef will treat these tools with great care, because they understand that a knife is only useful when it is sharp.

Chefs, while they do have to create great food, also must take the time to ensure their tools are well maintained. Without this dedicated maintenance, their performance will suffer. The same is true for a leader. You may have some natural skills that help you in the leadership journey, but your success is directly dependent on your ability to keep your “tools” sharp and well-maintained.

But how do you do that? Hiring a coach is a great option (disclaimer: I am a coach, so I think this is a fantastic choice 🙂 )

A coach, however, cannot be with you on your commute or during your workout. You also need opportunities that can be with you anytime, anywhere. What outlets do you have to grow as a leader on a consistent basis?

Here are 3 free options that you can use to continue your leadership development:

1. Your Local Library

That’s right: your local library. Remember that place? It is where you have to speak softly and are called a “patron.” This resource is great for physical books, audiobooks, and eBooks. I have rented Kindle books from my local library and read them on my iPad. And anything you highlight in the book will be saved to your Kindle account, so you can reference back to those great insights after the rental period ends.

Once you become a library member, you will be surprised at the range of opportunities that will become available to you. Our local library in metro Atlanta offers a free family pass to the Atlanta Zoo once per year (a nearly $100 value). So stop by your library and discover a world of great resources that will call you zero.

2. Podcasts

Podcasts have been around for several years, but this medium has exploded within the last two years. You can find incredibly insightful podcasts that range from finance to tech to leadership. If you aren’t listening to audiobooks when you workout, commute, or walk the dog, then use that time to listen to a podcast. Instead of listening to music in the car, listen to a podcast. Instead of cleaning the house in silence, listen to a podcast. You get the idea. Use the time you already have to listen to sharpen your skills.

3. iTunes U

iTunes U is a platform for colleges and universities to publish their content for free around the world. Just like podcasts, you can find a range of topics from a wide variety of sources, You can even content from prestigious schools like MIT, Harvard, and Yale. Download the courses to your phone, and listen to them just like you would podcasts. This platform gives you access to development opportunities that you cannot get elsewhere.

Now that you know how to develop your leadership skills, it’s time to get to work.