As a leader, I have often wondered if I can continue to be inspired and stay motivated to do what I do well.I have to confess that at times I find myself fearful of not being enough, not being relevant, and simply running out of steam! 

Can you relate?

It turns out that we are not alone. The biggest fear for leaders and CEOs today is the fear of being incompetent or irrelevant. This fear diminishes one's confidence and undermines relationships with other team members in the organization. My internal dialogue led me to evaluate next-level leadership questions, such as how to up my game, raise the bar for myself, and get ready for the future. It also led me to a body of research around great long-running leaders such as Bill Gates, Tim Cook, Jack Ma and Warren Buffet, and their commitment to strategic lifelong learning, lived out in many ways, such as:

Ongoing engagement in some sort of a brain trust or external partner groups, such as Vistage, YPO or Peer Groups. Often groups like that also formed around industry associations such BSCAI or other organizations.

Long running mentor relationships inside and outside their industry or both.

Thinking and rethink about improving their own skills and the skills of their team members, then allocate the needed resources.

Intentionally engaging in collaboration with industry peers, through networking opportunities.  Industry conference such as the most recent BSCAI Contractor Success 2019 Conference is an excellent example of that.

Establishing a rhythm, or a steady diet, as some call it, of reading business books or self-help books. 

Being intentional about their own level of learning, and self-development, not allowing the daily pressure of running, leading, and working in business deter them. 

As a leader, have you created your strategy for lifelong learning in order to lead well for life?

Here are some thoughts to enhance your current strategy, or to start a new one for you and your team:

1. Consider owning your learning and inspiration. Take control of it! 
2. Set learning and inspiration goals.
3. Join a Peer Group.
4. Connect with mentor.
5. Don’t ignore mistakes, instead use them to inspire learning—that’s a good motivator! 
6. Create a simple learning plan and start with small steps. One to two hours a week for example.
7. Identify habits that keep you from learning and eliminate them one at a time.
8. Start new learning habits one at a time.

Abraham Lincoln said “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” I believe a lifelong learning plan would allow us to create a better future for our industry, our teams and our families!

Yasser Youssef is the president of The Budd Group, one of the leading facility services companies in the country, a North Carolina-based company that provides facility support services in the Southeast. Throughout his career, Youssef has met leaders from all backgrounds, and believes leadership is for everyone. Over the past few years, he has developed an affinity for writing and contributing thought leadership, and is often asked to speak to businesses throughout the country about authentic leadership. Want to continue the conversation? Subscribe to Yasser Youssef's blog or contact him to talk about speaking engagements.