We admire athletes for their discipline, coaching, and constant practice.
Yet when it comes to leadership, we often assume skill develops naturally with experience or seniority.
The truth is, great leaders require the same deliberate education and training as professionals in sport, medicine, or law. Without it, the risk is not only underperformance at work but diminished relationships at home and in the community.
Four areas of education stand out as critical to leadership excellence:
Listening. Research by Zenger Folkman found that effective leaders who actively listen are rated 40% higher in overall leadership effectiveness.
Listening is more than hearing words, it is reading tone, emotion, and context. Leaders who master listening create trust, lower conflict, and uncover insights others miss.
Communicating. Clear communication is consistently ranked by CEOs as one of the most important skills. McKinsey studies show that organisations with strong internal communication are 3.5 times more likely to outperform peers.
Great leaders learn not only to communicate strategy but to do so in a way that inspires action and aligns teams.
Having honest conversations. Many leaders avoid direct discussions about performance or behaviour, fearing conflict. Yet Gallup data shows teams with managers who give frequent, candid feedback are nearly three times more engaged.
Training leaders in how to deliver honesty with respect creates accountability without toxicity.
Challenging opinions. The courage to voice a view that contradicts the room is rare, but vital. A Google study of high-performing teams revealed that psychological safety, where individuals feel safe to speak up, is the single biggest predictor of success.
Leaders must learn how to raise alternate perspectives constructively, ensuring decisions are robust rather than convenient.
When leaders are educated in these skills, the benefits extend far beyond the boardroom.
Better listening leads to stronger marriages. Better communication strengthens relationships with children. Better conversations build trust at work and at home. And the ability to challenge views respectfully creates more confident, resilient communities.
Ultimately, investing in leadership education creates better people, not just better executives.
The ripple effect is profound: healthier families, stronger workplaces, and more sustainable organisational outcomes.
The lesson is clear. Just as no athlete reaches their peak without coaching, no leader should be left to develop without training.
Education is not an optional extra; it is the foundation of leadership that delivers better lives and better results.
RDL’s wholistic approach to coaching brings out the best in the person, leading to significant behavioural growth.
RDL, celebrating 20 years of developing leadership legacies.
