How do you learn from other collaborative leaders and stay updated on the latest trends and best practices?

As a collaborative leader, I find joining online communities invaluable for staying updated on the latest trends and best practices. These platforms provide a space to engage with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and gain insights from diverse perspectives. By actively participating in online communities, I not only expand my network but also continuously learn and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of leadership and collaboration. It's a dynamic way to stay informed and connected in today's digital age.

Continuous learning is essential for effective collaboration. Here are some ways to stay updated and enhance your learning process. - Attend conferences and workshops - Join professional networks - Participate in webinars and courses - Read industry journals - Follow leaders on social media - Network with peers - Subscribe to newsletters and blogs - Join online forums - Seek mentorship - Collaborate on projects

Engaging with online communities has been a game-changer in my journey as a collaborative leader in the realm of 3D artistry and interior design. Platforms like social media groups and industry forums have become invaluable spaces to connect with peers, ask insightful questions, and exchange innovative ideas. Participating in webinars and podcasts hosted by seasoned professionals has provided me with fresh insights and practical strategies. Additionally, establishing my own community has fostered a supportive environment where like-minded individuals collaborate, learn, and thrive together, enriching our collective expertise and expanding our horizons.

Get involved in the wider business community. Arrange or attend seminars, fireside chats, workshops, and social events. Network with thought leaders, and engage with them. Take the initiative and invite other leaders for a conversation. Engage in correspondence, and use social media as a tool to advance your ideas. These talks are not purely social. Aside from social pleasantries, communicate clearly what you want out of this, and what you can contribute to the discussion. You need to get something out of the interaction. It is not enough to be updated on trends; you need to be part of the discussion, and a driver of trends. You need to be an innovation leader and drive best practises. Leaders must lead, even among other leaders.

Participating in well-curated events, such as BNI, LinkedIn Local, eChai, job fairs, and various networking gatherings, presents a valuable opportunity to glean insights from industry leaders. It is essential to prioritize attending high-quality events to ensure a meaningful learning experience. With numerous events taking place in the market, it becomes crucial to select wisely, as not all events offer substantial value and may end up being mere time-wasters.

Engaging with mentors and coaches has been pivotal in my collaborative leadership journey within the realms of 3D artistry and interior design. Learning from experienced professionals who generously share their insights and challenge my perspectives has accelerated my growth. These mentors, with their diverse backgrounds and skills, have guided me in setting clear goals, addressing weaknesses, and navigating challenges. Their support has not only honed my collaborative leadership skills but has also inspired me to innovate and pursue excellence in my craft. Connecting with mentors through networks, online platforms, and professional organizations continues to be an invaluable source of wisdom and encouragement.

I relied heavily on mentors from a young age as a soldier, and have been incredibly fortunate to have served both in military and civilian roles with them. If I ever had questions or needed advice/reassurance, they were easily available and ready with a good dose of advice based on experience. As a manager, I made it a priority to treat my team with the same regard I was shown. A team's strength comes from respect, collaboration, and dedication in achieving a common goal.

There are collaboration and teamwork coaches and facilitators out there who are experts in helping leaders create and maintain collaborative environments. Engaging them for either coaching or workshops can be an effective way to maintain consistent collaboration in your teams.

Having authored over three books, I hold a strong belief in the profound value of books as a means of learning from industry leaders and legends. I am well aware of the significant investment of time, effort, and experience involved in the process of writing a book. Books serve as a condensed repository of years of invaluable experience and learning.

Embracing experimentation and reflection has significantly enhanced my collaborative leadership journey in 3D artistry and interior design. By trying out innovative techniques and tools gleaned from fellow leaders, I've gained practical insights into their effectiveness. Reflecting on my endeavors, assessing outcomes, and absorbing feedback has allowed me to identify strengths, areas needing improvement, and future goals. This dynamic process of experimentation and reflection not only solidifies my learning but also equips me to adapt swiftly to evolving contexts. It's a continuous cycle that fuels my growth as a collaborative leader, fostering creativity and resilience in my professional endeavors.

1. Join online communities to interact, ask questions, and share ideas with other collaborative leaders. 2. Seek mentors and coaches who can guide, challenge, and support your collaborative leadership journey. 3. Read books and articles that showcase the stories, insights, and advice of successful collaborative leaders. 4. Experiment with new ideas and reflect on your own collaborative leadership experiences. 5. Attend relevant events and workshops to learn new skills and build relationships with other collaborative leaders.

As an organizational consultant, I have always considered it is part of my job to be ahead of the companies I help in terms of trends, practices, methods. I happen to be a learned, so this expectation I set on myself on behalf of my clients is also natural to me: I guess it is where the needs of the world and my needs meet, as shown by Ikigai! Also: noone has ever created a new service or product without building on the ideas or experiments that came earlier. Which means that each collaborative leader is bringing one aspect of our work further with their specific angle, personality, experience. Which is why I always keep my ears and eyes open! I read newsletters, attend webinars but also in-person conferences, I connect with my network.

I recently attented a session with 3 leaders who shared their respective experience of shared governance: they modeled what they were talking about by derailing the organization, ie instead of speaking in turns and answering the moderator's questions, they started building on each other's statements, and asking questions among themselves. It was very refreshing to hear a leader, who had been invited to share about her experience, say that she wanted to listen, understand and be nourished by the experience of others.

To stay ahead as a collaborative leader, consider these tips: Embrace diverse perspectives to enrich your approach Allocate daily time for industry insights and engage in LinkedIn forums Connect with thought leaders; their content can guide your reading Use aggregator apps like Flipboard to streamline information. Remember, collaboration thrives on continuous learning and adapting to new trends. Keep your knowledge fresh and your network active.