10 Leadership Development Priorities for Exceptional Executive Growth

Exceptional leaders aren’t born. They are developed through a process of continuous growth, self-awareness and learning.

In today's fast-paced business landscape, executives who want to stay in front must sharpen their business leadership skills continuously. In this article, we explore 10 leadership development priorities for executives like you who want to become exceptional leaders.

1. Develop a growth mindset. Individuals who have a growth mindset embrace challenges, learn from criticism and continually seek opportunities to stretch. The key is to approach leadership development with a willingness to learn and adapt as well as the understanding that growth is an ongoing process, not a destination.

2. Cultivate self-awareness. Exceptional leaders have developed a strong sense of self-awareness, giving them a clear-eyed understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, emotions and biases. This allows leaders to adapt their approach as needed, develop empathy, respond more skillfully to conflict and make more informed decisions.

3. Embrace emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence (EQ) refers to the ability to recognize, understand and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. Exceptional leaders with high EQ are better equipped to navigate complex workplace dynamics, build strong relationships and inspire their teams.

4. Foster effective communication. Clear and concise communication is a cornerstone of exceptional business leadership. Executives must focus on refining their verbal and nonverbal communication skills to ensure that they articulate their vision, goals and expectations in a way that resonates with their team.

5. Build resilience. Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from setbacks or adversity. Exceptional leaders demonstrate resilience by maintaining a positive outlook, learning from failures and adapting their strategies to overcome obstacles.

6. Cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment. Inclusive leaders foster a culture where all employees feel valued and respected. By embracing diversity and inclusion, you create an environment that promotes innovation, creativity and collaboration, ultimately driving better business outcomes.

7. Practice active listening. Active listening involves fully engaging with the speaker, seeking to understand their perspective and asking clarifying questions. Exceptional leaders practice active listening to gain valuable insights, build trust and facilitate open dialogue. 

8. Encourage innovation and creativity. Exceptional leaders foster a culture of innovation by encouraging their teams to think outside the box and take calculated risks. It’s important to provide the necessary resources and support, celebrate successes and be willing to learn from failures.

9. Develop a strong network. A strong professional network offers executives valuable resources, support and opportunities for growth. Make an effort to connect with peers, mentors and industry experts who can provide guidance and advice throughout your leadership journey.

10. Seek continuous feedback. Constructive feedback from others is crucial for your personal and professional growth. Exceptional leaders proactively seek feedback from their team, peers and mentors, then use that feedback to refine their leadership approach and drive ongoing improvement.

When you incorporate these 10 priorities into your leadership growth plan, you create the conditions for your development into an exceptional leader and for your lasting success. Of course, it takes time and a commitment to continuous learning and development.

You don’t need to go it alone!

At The Workplace Coach, we understand that focusing on developing your leadership chops while simultaneously juggling the day-to-day demands of your job is tough. We’re here to help! With a confidential coach in your corner, you’ll gain the support, resources, feedback and accountability you need to become the exceptional leader your organization needs.

Contact TheWorkplace Coach today to learn how one of our skilled executive coaches and leadership coaches can partner with you to improve your performance in areas such as managing others, critical thinking and building strategic partnerships.

The process is fully customizable to meet your needs and the needs of your organization. Areas of focus typically include: projecting executive presence, developing a CEO mindset, navigating critical conversations, building trust with executive teams and cultivating strategic alliances, etc.

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ABOUT THE WORKPLACE COACH: For more than two decades, TheWorkplace Coach has provided executive coaching services in Atlanta and beyond.We’ve partnered successfully with thousands of executive coaching clients and leadership coaching clients and hundreds of organizations to help them achieve their strategic goals. Leadership coaching clients report success in developing their leadership mindset and executive presence and in using leader-as-coach skills to drive employee engagement and productivity.

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