Leadership in today’s world demands more than experience—it requires the ability to learn, adapt, and thrive amidst constant disruption. As technology evolves overnight and workplace dynamics shift, leaders face an urgent challenge: how to stay ahead while juggling the demands of their roles. The ability to learn on the job is no longer optional—it’s the hallmark of effective leadership.

This challenge was at the heart of the webcast "On-the-Job Leadership Growth: Leveraging Learning in the Flow of Work". Featuring Shambhavi Sharma, CHRO of Josh Software, and Aarti Shrivastava, CHRO of Capgemini India, and moderated by Yogesh Agiwal, Founder and CEO of Crossover Leadership, the session delivered actionable insights on embedding learning seamlessly into leadership practices amidst today’s complexities.

The Imperative for Continuous Learning

Leadership, often viewed as a destination, is increasingly recognised as a journey requiring constant adaptation. Today’s leaders must manage multi-generational workforces while navigating rapid technological advancements like Generative AI. Shrivastava highlighted the need for leaders to shift from guiding others to prioritising their personal growth.

Organisations must move beyond traditional training models and integrate learning into everyday workflows. Shrivastava proposed using bite-sized, technology-driven modules that align with work schedules, enabling leaders to build skills without interrupting productivity. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring leaders remain adaptable to change.

Feedback and Reverse Mentoring: Key Development Tools

Feedback was identified as a cornerstone of effective leadership development. A strong feedback culture allows leaders to gather insights from peers, mentors, and subordinates, creating a 360-degree view of their impact. Shrivastava highlighted reverse mentoring as valuable, enabling younger employees to offer fresh perspectives and insights on evolving workplace expectations.

This approach fosters openness and humility—qualities essential for navigating modern organisational challenges. It also bridges generational gaps, ensuring leaders remain effective and relevant within diverse teams.

Coaching and Action-Based Learning

Sharma underscored the importance of integrating coaching into daily operations. Embedding coaching moments during team interactions helps leaders guide their teams while simultaneously enhancing their understanding and skills. This ensures learning becomes an intrinsic part of work rather than an isolated task.

Action-based learning was presented as a transformative strategy for leadership development. By tackling real-world challenges or participating in simulations, leaders can practise critical skills such as conflict resolution and empathetic decision-making. These experiences not only build confidence but also strengthen collaboration and provide deeper insights into complex issues.

Aligning Leadership Development with Organisational Goals

One of the session’s key takeaways was the importance of aligning leadership development initiatives with business objectives. Shrivastava emphasised that training programmes must resonate with an organisation’s strategic priorities to be effective. Leaders are more likely to engage when they see a direct connection between their development and organisational goals.

Organisations should also adopt data-driven approaches to evaluate the impact of leadership programmes. Metrics can help identify gaps and measure success, ensuring initiatives deliver tangible value. Senior leaders play a crucial role in setting this tone, demonstrating that continuous learning is a priority across all levels of the organisation.

Overcoming Barriers to Learning

Time constraints often prevent leaders from prioritising their growth. Shrivastava suggested that effective delegation allows leaders to step back from operational tasks and focus on strategic development. Empowering teams not only builds capacity but also frees leaders to invest in their personal growth.

Sharma shared an example of how leaders can turn downtime into learning opportunities. Listening to podcasts or audiobooks during commutes or travel transforms idle moments into valuable self-improvement time. These consistent habits can significantly enhance leadership effectiveness.

Collaboration as a Catalyst for Growth

Collaboration emerged as a vital component of leadership development. Sharma highlighted the importance of fostering connections between departments to break down silos and drive innovation. For instance, aligning sales and development teams ensures customer needs shape product development.

Cross-functional projects were another strategy discussed, enabling diverse teams to tackle organisational challenges together. This not only promotes problem-solving but also fosters mutual respect by highlighting the unique contributions of different departments.

Preparing Leaders for the Future

Looking ahead, the session identified critical trends shaping the future of leadership. Shrivastava stressed the importance of adaptability and resilience in keeping pace with rapid change. Leaders must also embrace digital literacy, using data and analytics to make informed decisions.

Sharma pointed out that agility and innovation are equally vital, particularly in hybrid work environments. Leaders need to balance flexibility with efficiency, ensuring they address the needs of both employees and customers. Financial literacy was also highlighted as a critical skill, helping leaders understand the broader impact of their decisions on organisational performance.

Inclusive leadership was another central theme. As organisations become more global, leaders must respect and understand cultural differences, fostering environments where diverse voices are valued. Additionally, mindfulness and purpose-driven leadership were identified as essential qualities for inspiring teams and driving meaningful progress.

A Roadmap for Leadership Development

The panellists emphasised that leadership is not a fixed trait but an evolving process of continuous learning, collaboration, and adaptation. They highlighted the importance of embedding development into daily routines, fostering cultures of constructive feedback, and ensuring that training initiatives align closely with organisational goals. These practices not only nurture individual growth but also contribute to building a strong pipeline of leaders prepared to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world.

To effectively future-proof leadership, organisations must anticipate and embrace emerging trends, with digital literacy, inclusivity, and adaptability now essential qualities for modern leaders. During the discussion, Agiwal highlighted Crossover's role as a channel partner of Skillsoft and encouraged leaders to leverage AI-powered platforms like Percipio. These platforms enable organisations to take a holistic approach to team development, strategically nurturing essential skills across the enterprise. Additionally, democratised learning tools provide leaders with the flexibility to personalise their growth journeys, empowering them to cultivate the capabilities required to succeed in today’s dynamic and diverse environments.

Ultimately, the path to effective leadership lies in integrating growth opportunities into the rhythm of work, ensuring learning remains a continuous, accessible process.

To know more, check out the webcast video below -