Leaders who want to be successful cannot remain complacent — they must continue to grow through learning. Learning should be a lifelong pursuit for anyone, but it's especially crucial for leaders.

The acquisition of knowledge is the best endorsement for showing others that it's OK not to know everything. And studying a new area of expertise can give people a boost in achieving their dreams.

"We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change," said Peter Drucker, the great management coach of our time. "And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn."

Learning is the gathering of wisdom that keeps you engaged and flexible. It breeds confidence and freedom, and it enables you to expand who you are.

It creates a positive effect on the organization, as well as those around you. You become not only a better leader, but also a better person. Lead by example. Give the people on your team an opportunity for this same growth.

Leadership is not an easy road. It has many potholes, and there are many obstacles to overcome. But being able to grow will help you make better decisions and start to see the whole picture of what needs to be done.

You do not expect a mechanic to start working on your vehicle without first knowing the ins and outs of fixing one. This is also true for leaders. Take the time to learn before looking under the hood.

A lot of leaders have blinders on when it comes to learning. Some of them figure they know it all. They become afraid of change, and this can have a bad outcome for an organization. The leaders who do not bury their heads in the sand have the greatest influence and positive impact.

Jim Rohn, speaker and entrepreneur indicates, "To be more, you have to become more."

Be inspiring, take risks and have the guts to continue to understand what is necessary to rise above. Do not let the current take you downstream. Just as salmon swim upstream, go against the flow.

Information is power, and using it in the correct manner will go a long way in helping others achieve their goals and dreams. There is an awareness and understanding that comes from learning. It does not matter where you are in the organization, you are no longer powerless — you can do more and be more.

Finally, be inquisitive and forthright in gaining the wisdom that is necessary to be a viable person both in the organization and out. The great musician B.B. King states it best, "The beautiful thing about learning is that no can take it away from you."