Always a Student: A Parable on Leadership and Learning

Starting a new role often feels like a mix of familiar ground and fresh challenges.  There are aspects of the role where I step into with confidence, and then there are other aspects that stretch me, asking me to figure them out, learn, and grow as I go.

Early on, I shared with one of my board members that I was eager to sharpen my skills in an area central to our work. He happens to be a retired CFO of a major corporation and an adjunct economics professor with more than 30 years of experience. His response was not simply to reassure me, but to offer something even more valuable: his time. Once a month, he comes to my office, and together we focus on accomplishing specific, bite-sized goals. 

What strikes me most is not just his depth of knowledge, but his humility. He carries no ego, only a genuine desire to teach and serve. Each session feels like a window opening. I leave with a new a-ha moment and a little more confidence than before. But even more than knowledge, I walk away with a deeper understanding of what leadership looks like when it is rooted in generosity.

I am deeply inspired by the way he leads through teaching. His quiet gift of mentorship is shaping me into a stronger, more capable leader. It is also a powerful reminder that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about staying open, asking questions, and embracing the gift of learning.

Always a student. Leaders are learners.