At Sidebar, Learning Never Stops
Embracing a Learner’s Mindset
Hi everyone,
What do the best leaders, sharpest thinkers, and most visionary innovators have in common? They never stop learning.
That’s why our final Community Core Value is: We’re lifelong learners.
At Sidebar, we know success isn’t just about what we achieve—it’s about how we grow. The best leaders stay curious, challenge assumptions, and embrace the unknown. But let’s be real: admitting we don’t have all the answers can feel uncomfortable. It takes humility to acknowledge our blind spots and courage to seek new perspectives.
Ford’s turnaround under CEO Alan Mulally is a perfect example. When he took over in 2006, executives were conditioned to hide problems. But when one leader finally admitted a major issue, Mulally praised their honesty instead of punishing them. That moment shifted Ford’s culture—replacing fear with learning—and fueled the company’s comeback.
This is what great leaders do: they don’t pretend to have all the answers. They ask better questions. They seek feedback. They lean into growth.
Our community is full of lifelong learners who embody this mindset every day:
🔹 Steven Brown shares decades of business wisdom while continuously learning and giving back.
🔹 Helen Chou dedicates time to mastering new skills, excelling in her role, and becoming a thought leader in pricing strategy.
🔹 Viola Sutanto embraces experimentation—leveraging new technologies, tactics, and reflections to fuel her creativity and business growth.
🔹 Ajantha Suriyanarayanan shows up with insightful questions, thoughtful reflections, and a commitment to engaging and following through.
🔹 Kyle Murphy strategically reflects on his growth, uses airtime to uplift others, and even led a member-driven session on leadership.
🔹 Robert Pudlik pushes us all to be better through his storytelling expertise, always uncovering wisdom in our discussions.
🔹 Denis Gao remains engaged and open-minded, turning challenges into opportunities for learning and contribution.
🔹 James Davie takes action on feedback, iterating on his business with a growth mindset that drives continuous progress.
🔹 Amira Youssef fosters learning in NYC by organizing Sidebar events like goal-setting workshops and AI roundtables.
Adopt a Learner’s Mindset. What’s a question you’ve been holding back because you fear how it might come across? Ask it. What’s a topic that intrigues you but feels outside your comfort zone? Dive in. Push yourself to seek fresh perspectives, listen with intent, and approach every conversation with curiosity. Growth happens at the edge of discomfort—lean into it.
If you're ready to level up, take on this week's challenge:
✅ Today: Reach out to someone in Sidebar who taught you something valuable—thank them personally or share their wisdom in a LinkedIn post.
✅ Tomorrow: Set aside time to learn something you’ve been putting off. Take the first step.
✅ This week: Ask for help from an expert, even if it feels uncomfortable. (Try our new Ask an Expert tool!)
Learning isn’t a destination—it’s a lifelong journey. Let’s embrace it together.
Cheers,
Ha Nguyen
Chief Evangelist & Head of Community
The values that unite us. The actions that define us. This is what makes Sidebar extraordinary!
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