Too Busy to Sharpen YOur Saw? Think Again..

Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has become a compass for leaders

around the world. His seventh habit, “Sharpen the Saw,” speaks to continual renewal by

investing in your own learning and growth so you can keep leading with confidence and

clarity.

At LEAD, we often meet board members and leaders who are balancing enormous

responsibilities. With so much to do, it’s easy to feel like there isn’t time for capability

building, or to rely on experience gained over many years. Yet the truth is, every leader, no

matter how seasoned, benefits from moments to step back, refresh, and expand their skills.

Sharpening the saw isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s essential in a context that is fast-moving,

resource-strained, and deeply connected to community wellbeing. Ongoing learning helps

leaders govern and lead effectively, navigate change, and support organisations to thrive. It

also role-models a culture of learning for boards and teams.

The question isn’t whether you have time for development – it’s about how investing in

yourself strengthens your ability to serve your organisation and community well into the

future.

Better by the Dozen: 12 Features of a Good Leadership and Governance Development Programmes

Not all training is created equal. High-quality programmes for not-for-profit leaders and

board members share some common traits. Here’s what to look for:

1. Designed by and for not-for-profit professionals who are grounded in lived experience

of governance and leadership in our sector.

2. Delivered by peers and practitioners who offer practical insights alongside theory.

3. Local to New Zealand reflecting our governance frameworks, laws, funders, and communities.

4. Relevant to your role and directly connecting to the decisions and challenges you face.

5. Accessible, flexible formats for busy leaders and volunteers.

6. Affordable, but valued, cost-effective without compromising quality. (Subsidies is an indicator that funders see it as valuable)

7. Practical and applied with tools you can use immediately.

8. Interactive and opportunities to learn through discussion, reflection, and connection.

9. Culturally responsive honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and reflecting Aotearoa’s diversity.

10. Future-focused by preparing you for trends like climate change, digital disruption, and funding shifts.

11. Evidence-based by drawing on research and proven frameworks, alongside community wisdom.

12. Network-building opportunities connecting you with peers and strengthening the wider not-for-profit ecosystem.

Leaders who keep their saw sharp are better equipped to steer with clarity, hold steady in

challenging times, and make decisions that strengthen their organisations and communities.

Lifelong learning isn’t indulgence – it’s an act of stewardship.

In a sector where the pace of change and weight of responsibility can quickly wear us down,

sharpening the saw ensures we can keep showing up – refreshed, resilient, and ready.