If one were to conduct a study on which traits are common across those in leadership around the world, there might not be much to discover. Those in leadership are vastly different, and well they should be. It’s a beautiful thing to see leaders of all colors, shapes, sizes, creeds, etc. There is, however, one thing that most (if not all) leaders have in common: they all identify as lifelong learners. They are passionate about learning, it defines them, they feel rejuvenated after reading a good book or watching a documentary, and don’t even get them started on Master Class. This trait is so prevalent among leaders, that Business Insider featured an article back in 2019 in which an executive coach claimed it to be a secret of many successes.
Recently a TED talk from 2007 has been recirculated concerning just this topic. In it, Wofford College president Bernie Dunlap tells the story of Sandor Teszler, a Hungarian Holocaust survivor who taught him about passionate living and lifelong learning. Take 20 minutes and give it a watch, and see if it inspires a lifelong love of learning.