Last week I covered choosing adaptability and why it’s an important trait for a leader to have. Being able to recognize that change is inevitable and that you are going to have to adapt to is it paramount in a leader’s skill set. Another trait that ties in with adaptability is your level of competence, or in a lot of cases incompetence.

Choosing your level of incompetence is something that only you can do. Nobody can make you incompetent nor can anybody make you competent. That decision, and responsibility for it, lands squarely on your shoulders. So what do I mean “Choose Your Level of Incompetence”. Who would ever choose to be incompetent at their job? The answer is: pretty much everyone. You have been promoted or hired to do a specific job. Based on your education and past work experience it is assumed that you know what you are doing. You are comfortable doing your tasks and have a base of knowledge that will get you through every day situations. Why bother to learn more? Because things change. Every job grows and changes and so you too need to adapt and grow.

You have to make a conscious decision to never stop learning your craft. You must decide to take courses, attend seminars and read books to constantly update your skill set. You may also have to constantly upgrade your knowledge in the field you are managing. For example, a bank manager can’t just take management seminars. S/He also has to learn changes to banking regulations, changes to bank policies and even changes to tax laws.

The fact remains that you decide your level of competence, or incompetence. Your choice to learn, or not learn, will be one of the main factors in determining whether you are able to perform your duties to the best of your abilities or if you are just skating through on what you already know.

Check back next time when I’ll throw another Leadership tool into your Arsenal to help improve your managerial skills and help you to avoid achieving your level of incompetence.