For many, getting a new degree, a corner office, or more brass around the neck is seen as destiny. Often the transition, the right of way, and the plaque on the door become an open invitation or excuse to stop learning.

The truth about a promotion, if you are a Leader instead of a manager… is that the promotion is simply a new beginning that creates a whole new level of responsibility and opportunity. A serious student of business and leadership NEVER stops learning, asking questions and perfecting her craft.

Leadership is a trade, an art, and a noble occupation. For some it is a lifelong aspiration. For others, simply a path to their version of success.

My wife has a great saying: “Everyone wants a paycheck, but not everyone is willing to work!” In the realm of leadership, the correlation is “Everyone wants the title, but not everyone is willing to take responsibility.”

I have been lucky, my leadership career began more than 30 years ago. I have had great mentors, role models and coaches along the way. They all taught me their version of two extremely valuable lessons. First, never stop learning and second, never forget where you came from.

I can still vividly remember living paycheck to paycheck, buying generic pasta at the store and playing the ‘what bill am I not paying this week’ game. I think even though I’m past those days, I’m taking more time to think about how my decisions will affect staff, customers, and vendors. I do this because I feel a strong sense of responsibility and because those memories from 20 years ago are still alive today. I remember where I come from.

What are the memories that are alive in your past? What critical events have shaped the way you act and make decisions? Take a few minutes this week and think about your career, regardless of how long you’ve been in your leadership role. What types of leaders and managers have you worked with? What lessons, both good and bad, can you draw from those experiences? How can you incorporate them into your leadership style and improve your craft?

In fact, I learned some of my best leadership lessons from a competitor who thought employees were “a dime,” treated everyone poorly, and always did things the same way. He taught me a lot about how NOT to run a business.

Moving on to the subject of lifelong learning. All of the effective leaders I have been fortunate enough to meet and talk with consider themselves lifelong learners. Common traits include being voracious readers, serious students of world and business history, and can always be found talking to both peers and co-workers about ways to improve. They spend a lot of time looking for the next opportunity to grow themselves and their business.

If you are a newly promoted leader, welcome. If you are a veteran, take a step back and learn from those around you. Congratulations on the well-deserved and newly installed plaque on your door, don’t tarnish it with lousy skills.