Leaders are hungry to assault the status quo.  And one of the biggest commonalities you'll find among leaders of different colors and stripes is their hunger to learn, to equip themselves with what they will need to make their vision a reality. 

Here are some key questions for any would-be leader:

1.  Are you reading good books on a regular basis?  Is reading a habit in your life?  As the saying goes: Leaders are Readers.

2. What are you reading? and why?  There is only so much time in life, and we cannot do it all.  There just will not be time to read and learn everything we would like, so we had best make our choices carefully.

3. With whom are you mentoring?  Without mentorship, leaders drift like a sailboat without a keel.  Mentors provide perspective, wisdom, correction, re-framing, encouragement, experience, and honest feedback.  Your leadership journey will take you farther and with more impact if you find and follow a great mentor.

4.  Where are you in your spiritual life?  You may have your beliefs, but are you sure about what you believe?  Where did you get those beliefs?  The reason spirituality plays such a role in leadership is that leadership will test you.  When pushed against the wall because of your courageous assault on the status quo, where will you turn for internal strength?  A leader is guided by his or her belief in a higher calling and purpose, and it is really difficult to understand this without addressing the spiritual questions.

5. In what areas are you currently holding yourself accountable for personal growth?  In other words, what are you trying to improve about yourself?  Additionally, what new skills are you currently seeking to acquire?  Sustained, quality leadership requires this kind of commitment to personal growth.

There are many more questions of this nature we can explore together in coming posts, but these five should be a good way to get you started toward learning as a leader.  And don't forget: learning is a lot of fun!