Strong Leaders Keep Learning
Whether in the business sector or outside of it, Michele Siekerka has always been a proponent of lifelong learning.
“The landscape of business is always changing, and you must always be nimble and adapt to the latest ideas, methods and trends,” says New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) president and CEO, Michele Siekerka. “Not just from a standpoint of ‘the more you learn, the more you learn,’ but also for the good of your employees and what you can deliver to the community, which all great businesses try to achieve. Education always shapes what we aspire to be.”
From professional certifications to refresher courses, ways to continue education in the ever-evolving world of business are never in short supply. And for business leaders, taking advantage of these opportunities can help them stay up-to-date on their industries’ best practices and most pressing needs.
“Continuous education and skill development are essential to remain current and adaptable in today’s business environment,” says Amy Vazquez. “By embracing a growth mindset, leaders can keep up with industry trends, enhance their decision-making abilities and drive innovation within their organizations.”
Vazquez serves as the vice president of the Employers Association of New Jersey (EANJ), and she says supporting employers through outreach and education is the foundation of the nonprofit’s mission. Through training programs, seminars, webinars and workshops, EANJ offers a wide range of educational opportunities to address the diverse needs of business professionals.
“We recognize the transformative power of knowledge and its impact on driving success,” Vazquez says.
The nonprofit NJBIA also offers educational opportunities to business leaders. In addition to an expanded HR support center for members and their employees to stay informed and compliant with New Jersey laws and mandates, the organization hosts events each month.
“Whether it’s something as nuanced as improving your employee handbook or mastering HR or creating best practices for inclusive workplaces, or something much wider in scope like preparing your business in a post-COVID world or getting up to speed on the latest rules, laws or mandates that are going to impact your bottom line, our events serve as great education for business leaders and are second-to-none,” Siekerka says.
When business leaders in particular take advantage of these types of opportunities and work to further their education and knowledge, it “sets a positive example for employees and promotes a culture of continuous improvement, ultimately leading to greater success and resilience,” according to Vazquez.
In short, leaders who learn can better their business, and research has proven this to be true.
According to Deloitte Insights, employee engagement and retention rates ranked 30% to 50% higher when an organization had a strong learning culture, and these companies were also 17% more profitable than competitors. In an IBM study, 84% of employees working for best-performing companies report receiving the training they need, compared with just 16% of those working for worst-performing companies.
“Prioritizing education at the leadership level can help to build a culture of continuous learning that benefits everyone in the organization,” Vazquez says. “When leaders focus on building skills, they inspire their teams to do the same. This approach encourages employees to pursue their own development, leading to a workforce that’s more engaged.”
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Author: Kristen Dowd
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