While many of you get ready to welcome back your college students for the holidays, I recently embarked on the other end of that cycle - my first college tour with my son. And although imposter syndrome was high (“Why am I here and how could I have a kid old enough to go to college the year after next?!), I also got excited about what this milestone represents. The core focus of our student population is to explore, learn, connect and probably pivot a few times. The course catalog is endless with possibilities and the subjects more specific and provocative than they ever could have imagined.

The thrill of walking to class on a fall day or debating theories with your study group in the dining hall may be gone for those of us well into our career journeys, but the importance and rewards of challenging our thinking and seeking new skills and experiences remain. I’d also argue that it might just help us feel some youthful energy again!

At Avanade, we believe in continual learning. As CMO of the Americas, I’ve had many opportunities to expand my thinking and that of the team about the ways we work – whether that’s through our Avanade AI School, through our continuous use of Agile to plan and execute our Marketing plan or some of the more grass-roots activities we’ve engaged in like book club to read Atomic Habits by @ James Clear.

I’m always curious to know how other organizations are promoting continual learning amongst their teams so I’ve asked three executives to share why they think it’s important to be in a mindset of continual learning in both our professional and personal lives.

Susan Blackburn, Chief Commercial Officer of Viewpointe, believes that it’s essential if you want to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced environment, especially in their sector of financial services. “It helps professionals remain agile, adapt to emerging technologies and respond effectively to ever-changing market conditions. Without ongoing learning, it’s easy to fall behind as industries evolve.”

Michelle Schaefer, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft, agrees. “Being open to learning is what keeps us ready to take on new challenges and drive change. It’s not just about picking up new skills – it’s about staying curious and adaptable.” That mindset has enabled her to lead large-scale digital transformation projects, optimize complex operations, and deliver solutions that make a real impact.

For Beth Lowry, President and CEO of Holder Construction, continual learning enriches lives, broadens perspectives and enhances understanding of the world personally and professionally. It cultivates curiosity, resilience and a sense of fulfillment. She considers parenting her most rewarding and challenging on-going achievement. “It’s taught me invaluable lessons in patience, empathy and unconditional love, sharpened my problem-solving skills and honed my ability to think on my feet.”

How do their companies inspire them to keep learning and thinking on their feet? Susan says that learning is embedded at Viewpointe because their clients depend on them for secure, compliant services that are closely regulated. Her team is constantly evolving through collaboration with customers, industry leaders and subject matter experts. “Staying informed on and sharing with one another market trends, technological advancements and best practices is critical to success, and that culture drives personal growth and professional development across the organization.”

Microsoft encourages a culture of curiosity and growth through learning opportunities like executive coaching, workshops, mentoring, hackathons and hands-on experiences with the latest technology. Says Michelle, “As part of our IT organization, I’m constantly exploring new technologies to optimize business processes and solve problems. The freedom to experiment and focus on learning keeps me motivated to find innovative solutions. It’s all about turning challenges into opportunities and staying flexible.”

At Holder Construction, mentorship is a cornerstone of the learning experience. Whether it's collaborating on the latest construction technologies, brainstorming innovative project management strategies or sharing insights on sustainability practices, every team member plays a crucial role in collective professional development. “The guidance and wisdom shared by seasoned professionals are invaluable. These interactions foster a sense of community and belonging, making every learning opportunity a shared success.”

Reflecting on some of their proudest moments as leaders, Michelle recalls an AI workshop she co-organized. It brought together people from across the company to explore how AI can drive automation and efficiency improvements for large-scale operations and employee experiences. Observing participants share ideas, step out of their comfort zones and get excited about what AI can achieve was energizing. “Watching the team build new skills and gain confidence in using AI to solve complex business challenges was the most rewarding part of the experience.”

Susan takes pride in inspiring her team to keep learning. “I believe in leading by example, prioritizing innovation, data-driven decision-making and engagement in strategic initiatives.” She seeks to guide them through complex transformation journeys, encouraging them to embrace new processes and solutions. She creates opportunities for ownership, where each team member can take charge of their growth, stay curious and challenge themselves. By fostering an environment of openness and collaboration, she aims to cultivate a culture where learning and development are encouraged and celebrated, and the team is prepared for the evolving demands of the business landscape.

Brene Brown’s Ted Talk, “The Power of Vulnerability,” led to a significant and proud pivot for Beth. “Learning to lead with vulnerability has transformed me to be open and honest, to take risks and to embrace uncertainty. It requires me to show up as my authentic self, fostering trust and strengthening relationships within our teams. Courage, also highlighted by Brown, is about daring to lead even in the face of fear and adversity.” She credits another tenet of Brown’s – empathy – with learning to create a supportive and inclusive environment where teams feel valued and heard, in turn boosting morale, collaboration and productivity.

From boosts in morale, collaboration and productivity to stronger motivation, curiosity and preparedness, is there a more powerful tool for leaders than continual learning? Let’s hit the books.

Ctrl + Alt + Inspire: Spotlighting cum laude in continual learning

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