I’m sure in your lifetime you’ve met many people who think they know it all. They sit in offices with their feet propped up on their desk, look down their noses at others, smirk, and look in the mirror every day saying, “I love you.” They have egos that would fill up a coliseum and because of this holier-than-thou attitude they come across as being rude.

Guess what? They are in deep doodoo!

When you stop learning you stop growing and once you stop growing you become stagnant at what you do. Whatever thoughts or dreams you have are put on the back burner and you gradually lose your momentum and edge. It’s analogous to planting flowers and not watering them. Eventually, they lose their blooms, wilt and fade away.

Know Yourself

Great leaders, educators, physicians, sales people and you name it understand the importance of continuous learning. They are well aware that the status quo is just that and that average is where the best of the worst meets the worst of the best. And who wants to be average?

Continuous learning is all about seeking the new, raising the bar, expanding one’s mind, and looking at things in a different light. It’s about information you get from a book, a seminar, or from a mentor. It’s about being curious and alert to what’s taking place around you. Never let a day go by where you don’t pick up some information that will help you get better at what you do.

Know Your People

When I was first employed at E.R. Squibb & Sons I had a manager (he sure wasn’t a leader!) who delighted in putting others down. He practiced being obnoxious, and for the lack of a better phrase, a know-it-all. What he didn’t know was how to treat people and get the best out of them. His method of management was intimidation and he delighted in catching you doing things wrong. He didn’t understand that great leaders are very adept at catching others doing things right and letting them know that. When you catch others doing things right, you not only make them feel you care, you help them build confidence.

In my book I’ve Always Looked Up to Giraffes,” there is a chapter entitled Are You a Raptor or Mentor. The chapter focuses on the fact that people fail to grow, develop or feel good about themselves because of raptors (old dinosaurs) who refuse to give direction and encouragement and who continually sport negative thoughts. Raptors are caustic and destructive while mentors are supportive and positive. And mentors know and care about people.

Know Your Job

Your job as a leader is to help develop others, to help them soar to new heights, and to make a difference in their lives. It’s not a job for the faint of heart or for those who are self-centered. It’s a “job” for those who truly care and who can lay their head on the pillow at night knowing that they did their best and gave their all. If you can do that, you are in the know and certainly not a know-it-all. Know-it-alls thrive on saying “no” which those “in the know”, know better! Make it your goal to be in the know.