Degrees vs. Experience: What Really Matters in Leadership?
How Experience Can Outshine Formal Education!
Degrees, Experience, and the Leadership Ladder: My Take
Let's talk leadership, and let's be real. Does a fancy degree automatically make you a better leader? Or can real-world experience and savvy outshine a degree? I've wrestled with this question for years, especially at my old company, where it felt like a "degree or bust" when it came to promotions.
In some companies, I was explicitly informed that I couldn’t move people to the next level because a degree was required.
But here's the kicker: I've seen firsthand how raw talent and hustle can beat a piece of paper. I've helped coach and position several leaders without degrees to climb that ladder, and they're killing it.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking education. I have a BS in accounting and an MBA in strategic operations, and I am about two semesters away from my DBA in organizational leadership.
A solid degree can build a strong foundation, teach you to think critically, and open doors.
But let's face it, leadership isn't just about book smarts.
It's about inspiring people, navigating chaos, making tough calls, and getting things done.
Experience is where the rubber meets the road. It's learning to adapt on the fly, building trust, and earning respect through your actions, not just your title. I've seen leaders with Ivy League degrees crumble under pressure while others with no formal education rise to the occasion.
“When working with someone without a degree, let them know that they can't change their experience. They can't just go and get a degree or an MBA.
But what they can do is own their experience. They need to focus on what they have, not what they don't have. And let them know that if they are in conversation about an opportunity, there's a reason they are in that conversation. They need to lean in on that.
At the end of the day, they have unique experience and that unique experience is what sets them apart.”
Coaching Through the Conundrum
As a coach, I see this debate play out all the time. Some leaders lean heavily on their degrees, while others feel held back by their lack of formal education. My job is to help them bridge that gap and see the value in both sides of the coin.
For those without degrees - we focus on building confidence, showcasing their accomplishments, and finding effective methods to display their worth and the value they have created in their careers.
I help develop leaders to define and understand the unique problem their brand of leadership will solve and how their leadership serves those they lead and the companies they work for.
For those with degrees - it's about translating theory into action, developing those "soft skills," and proving they're not just armchair leaders.
Beyond the Surface: Unanswered Questions
We all know that the best leaders blend education and experience, but let's dig a little deeper. Here are a few things we might not be talking about enough:
The Bias Factor:
Look, we all know there's still this weird hang-up about degrees in a lot of companies. It's like some invisible wall, right? Here's what I tell my clients:
Get real about your own biases. Yeah, you too. We've all got 'em. Next time you're looking at resumes or considering promotions, ask yourself: "Am I passing over someone great just 'cause they don't have those letters after their name?"
Start tracking the success of leaders with and without degrees in your company. Cold, hard data can be a real eye-opener. You might be surprised at what you find.
The Learning Never Stops:
Ok, if there's one thing I emphasize with every leader I work with, it's this: You have to remain hungry to learn.
Set up a personal board of advisors. I'm talking to people from different walks of life and different industries. Pick their brains regularly. Trust me, it'll keep you on your toes more than any degree.
Get your hands dirty with new tech. Don't just delegate it to the "young folks." Dive in yourself. Nothing keeps you learning like trying to figure out why your Slack won't connect to your Zoom, or whatever the latest tool is.
Defining "Leadership":
We've got to shake up how we think about leadership, folks. It's not just about who can talk the loudest in a boardroom.
Look for the quiet influencers. You know, the ones people naturally gravitate to for advice or support. That's leadership gold right there, degree or no degree.
Start valuing emotional intelligence as much as technical skills. I've seen too many "perfect on paper" leaders crash and burn because they couldn't read a room to save their life.
The Coaching Role:
As coaches, we've got a big job here. We're here not as cheerleaders but as bridge builders.
Help your clients build a killer portfolio of their wins. I'm talking about tangible results, problems solved, and team inspiration. That stuff speaks volumes, degree or not.
Role-play those tough conversations. Practice addressing the degree elephant in the room head-on. Confidence is key, and it comes with preparation.
The Innovation Factor:
We don't talk about this enough, but I used this technique at every company I worked for, intentionally using diverse educational backgrounds to spark innovation.
Mix it up in your teams. Pair that MBA with someone who built their skills in the trenches. The clash of perspectives can lead to some serious breakthroughs.
Challenge your teams to solve problems without relying on their usual toolkits. It's amazing what fresh approaches can emerge when you shake things up.
The Authenticity Advantage:
Finally, let’s get real about the power of being genuine in leadership.
Encourage leaders to share their unconventional paths. There's serious inspiration in stories of overcoming obstacles or taking the road less traveled.
Create mentorship or leadership communities focusing on character and values, not just skills and knowledge. Sometimes, the best leadership lessons come from the school of hard knocks.
Breaking the Mold: Rethink Your Company Practices
So, let's talk about what companies need to do very differently.
Most companies are addicted to degrees and credentials. They're so busy chasing the academic “elite” that they miss the real world unfolding right under their noses.
Companies - Don’t Do This!
Stop ghosting top-notch talent that could run the show better than their ivy-covered hires.
Cease creating a culture of degree-hunting instead of skill-sharpening.
Stop choking out fresh ideas by hiring cookie-cutter candidates.
Stop missing out on the gold mine of insights from diverse life experiences.
Companies - Do This Instead!
Your team needs external leadership development and coaching. While 83% of companies agree that it's crucial to develop their employees' skills, only 5% of companies actually implement these improvements. (Linkedin)
Reverse Mentoring. In Patrice Gordon's book on reverse mentoring, she highlights how this approach bridges generational gaps, allowing leaders to gain fresh perspectives and adapt more effectively in today’s evolving workplace.It's a great book; I highly recommend it.
Take a hard look at your hiring and promotion playbook. Are you passing over talent just because they don't have the "right" piece of paper at this very moment?
Rewrite those job descriptions. Based on a Linkedin study, 60% of job descriptions are poorly written and more importantly was not accurate when they were hired. Focus on what people can actually do, not what's hanging on their walls.
Create a leadership pipeline open to anyone with the skills and drive, degree or not, and showcase leaders who took unconventional paths by sharing their stories.
It’s About Impact!
Every time you close the door on someone just because they lack a degree, you might be turning away a leader who could transform your bottom line, elevate your company culture, and shape your future leadership.
In my 27 years of leadership, I’ve seen leaders with a string of degrees fall flat, while those without a single college credit have inspired teams to move mountains. It’s not about the credentials on your wall; it’s about what you bring to the table every single day.
It's simple: results beat résumés every single time.
Companies, are you ready to tap into the real potential that's out there? Or will you continue to miss out on rock stars because they don't fit your old-school mold?
Time to shake things up.
Leaders, whether you're rocking that fancy MBA or you learned everything you know in the trenches, two questions:
Are you making a difference?
Are you pushing yourself, your team, and your company forward?
That's the real measure of a leader. Everything else is just window dressing.
You've got this. Go Crush It!
Are you facing challenges leading friends and former colleagues? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Most leaders are tired of being unseen, passed over, or just plain neglected. Every leaders I know has desire to grow and be developed at a higher level.
They just need a community for it to happen!
Because their company only provides them with the resources relevant to their company.
This creates a generation of limited, boxed-in leaders with narrow perspectives. As a result, most leaders are unable to explore new ideas and methodologies that could propel them forward.
Here’s the thing: leadership is not one-size-fits-all.
True growth happens when leaders are exposed to diverse perspectives, cutting-edge practices, and a supportive community that challenges them to think outside the box.
It’s about breaking free from the confines of conventional corporate training and embracing a holistic approach to leadership development.
So, what’s missing from the puzzle?
Custom, relevant coaching, and training that considers you and your schedule.
At Worthy Retail Global, we understand this need. Our community - THE CAMPUS, is dedicated to empowering leaders by providing access to knowledge, expert insights, and a network of like-minded individuals equally passionate about pushing boundaries.
We believe in nurturing leaders who are effective in their current roles and equipped to innovate and lead in any environment.
Are you ready to break free from the limitations and take your leadership to the next level?
Join us and become part of a movement that’s redefining retail leadership.
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Go Crush It Where You Are!
This right here! Exactly.
“Look for the quiet influencers. You know, the ones people naturally gravitate to for advice or support. That's leadership gold right there, degree or no degree.”