Leadership Training as Foundation
There’s a lot of buzz around the 70/20/10 rule of leadership that posits how 70% of leadership skills come from challenging experiences and assignments, 20% from developmental relationships, and 10% from coursework and training.
Taken at face value, one might think that the 10% skill development measured by coursework and training offers a low ROI value and the better option is to allow leaders to develop themselves in real time through peer relationships and on the job experiences. In fact, if approved at all, training programs are often scheduled for when nothing else is going on, which is rare because we all know that there is something going on always!
While I agree that developmental relationships and situational experiences are powerful teachers throughout a leader’s career, there still must be a solid foundation in place to support them, and that foundation comes from the 10% coursework and training.
As a training facilitator and leadership coach, I invite you to reflect on the importance of that 10% as foundational for leadership success by comparing it to the building of a house.
Drive around your neighborhood and look at the houses. Take notice of how at the ground level each one has a solid foundation upon which it has been built. It might be a concrete slab, full basement walls, or a crawlspace. It might be made from poured concrete, concrete blocks, brick, or stone (all rock-solid materials). Notice that these foundations take up only about 10% or less of the total house, but their role is a critical one that can’t be overlooked or minimized. When a new home is built, the foundation is done first because the integrity of the construction relies on it for stability. Once the foundation is in place, the rest of the house can be built. The frame can go up and the various milestones to complete the structure can continue. Inside the completed house, new experiences and relationships are happening, people are visiting, and life is unfolding day by day (the other 90%).
My challenge for you is to prioritize your leadership training as a foundation upon which your career is built. Then put your training into action and share your knowledge with others. This is how we demonstrate the true value of the 70/20/10 rule @ 100%.
Kindling Leadership 