Are they prepared to take that leap from student to employee to manager to, maybe one day, CEO?
In her presentation, “The learning journey: No maps included,” at the Advancing Women Conference March 28-29, 2016, in Calgary, Alberta, Bonnie DuPont, an experienced senior corporate executive who has served in both the grain and energy industries, covered some of the key components of leadership and how to make that leap from student or employee to leader.
“How do we assure that we make that leap?” DuPont said. “That leap from having the skills and abilities to actually fulfilling our potential. How do we move from that exciting moment at, let’s say a graduation, to really feeling that we have fulfilled and utilized the training and the education we have?"
"Is it more education we need? Is it on-the-job training? In some cases, I think it is one of those two things, maybe more. But I would submit that there are some other very important pieces that propel us to success. These pieces are really attitudes and approaches.”
Openness
Openness is a major component of success, DuPont said. You need to be open to new challenges and get out of your comfort zone. “It’s about acceptance of new opportunities,” DuPont said.
“It’s about taking risks and about using risk-taking as a fundamental element for our own personal growth. I’m not talking about foolish risks or about recklessness. I’m talking about calculated risks. I’m talking about the fear and anxiety of trying something new.”
She later continued, “Often, the only difference between a truly successful person and a less successful individual is not the difference between abilities or ideas, but rather the courage to test one’s own abilities or to act on one’s own ideas and take a calculated risk.”
Opportunities for learning and growth can come in unexpected ways and forms, she said. They can take you to places you never thought possible. However, they often require you do things you didn’t think you were capable of.
“This can be intimidating at times, but you can be assured that every time you push the limits on your comfort zone, you will grow and you will gain in confidence,” DuPont said.
This could mean taking on a new assignment for your company or farm or taking on a volunteer role or a board position in an organization or association. It could even mean taking on a job you do not feel qualified for.
“Let me assure you that, even though you don’t feel qualified, there is someone in that structure who sees something in you that has them believing that while you may not have the paper qualifications, there is something about you, about your capabilities, about your style, about your manner of dealing with issues that make you the right choice."
"They see you differently. We don’t see ourselves the way others see us, and someone, when you have any opportunity like that, has seen something in you, something you haven’t seen, that they are confident will make you successful.”
After all, a company will not move someone into a position just so they can watch them fail.
“Generally speaking, when one is identified for something that involves a new challenge, it’s because the organization sees them as having the capabilities and sees them as being potentially very successful,” DuPont said.
“Don’t let your own anxiety, your own fears hold you back. It’s really important you push those boundaries, that you take those changes and you move out of your comfort zone and take a risk.”
Leadership
Typically, people do not learn much about leadership in the education system. Most of the time, people learn leadership on the job or in their family or community. In addition, people often think of leadership and management as two separate things, and they are in some ways.
Management is typically thought to be the process that keeps the wheels on, whereas leadership determines where the wheels will go. While DuPont agreed there is some truth to this viewpoint, she believes that people can be both manager and leader at the same time.
Both of these qualities are needed, and there are opportunities for each one. However, unlike managers, leaders are needed at all levels of an organization or company.
“Don’t let your job description hold you back,” DuPont said. “A lot of job descriptions do not give enough attention to the need and the role for leadership. You can go beyond that job description and certainly make sure that no matter where you are in the structure, you are a leader.”
This is because leadership is the ability to create a compelling vision and then translate it into sustainable action. You can be a leader by being proactive about problem-solving and sharing your ideas with your leadership.
However, to be a good leader, you need to develop a few essential characteristics.
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People skills: The ability to communicate with, influence, motivate, inspire and understand people and the ability to relate to all types of people to form networks and relationships.
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Conceptual abilities: The ability to see the big picture, to envision future challenges and define those challenges. The ability to think through and articulate how the plan will impact the future.
- Good judgment and good character: Ethical behaviour and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
“Leadership is not simply a position,” DuPont said. “Leadership is an attitude and a suite of behaviours that promote positive change in any set of circumstances.”
Mentorship
DuPont said a career is like a labyrinth. It has unexpected twists and turns and obstacles and opportunities for problem-solving, but you are always working toward a goal. It requires you to be persistent and analyze problems that lie ahead. This is why DuPont encouraged women to find a mentor.
A good mentor should help you through the labyrinth. They should help you analyze decisions you have to make and figure out which way you should turn or if you should keep going straight. Your mentor should challenge any areas of weakness you might have and push you to be better than you are now.
Whatever your final career goal is, just remember that you never know where your next step will be, DuPont said. And above all, be open to the opportunities that present themselves to you, even if they challenge you. 
