Professional development often focuses on improving yourself and your skills to help you advance in your career. The better you are at something and the more skills you have, the higher you can climb the ladder. But no one ever truly achieves perfection – not even leaders. The learning doesn’t stop once you become the boss. In fact, it’s even more important that you continue to learn as a leader if you want to grow, innovate and succeed as a business.

So what are some things you can learn? Here, 12 business leaders from Rolling Stones Cultural Council discuss the things about themselves that they have had to work to improve over the years and why it is so important that other leaders do the same.

To follow my instinct more

Despite many years of success, I still need to learn to follow my instincts more. It’s okay to trust others, such as investors, mentors, colleagues or clients, but never more than yourself. Take the time to listen to your inner voice and follow your instincts – less strategically, but more in the spirit of returning to your true instincts to find inspiration, build confidence and creativity. – Andy Hale, Hale and Monica

Delegate rather than do everything myself

One thing I’ve had to improve on over the years is my tendency to take on too much myself instead of delegating tasks effectively. At first, I felt that being a strong leader meant being involved in every detail, but I realized that this led to burnout. Leaders must recognize that delegating builds trust and develops a stronger team. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC

Giving myself grace in times of failure

No one is harder on themselves than on themselves. If we can extend grace and to grow through negative experiences instead of going through them, we then enable a fluid posture of strength in our victories and defeats. Grace is received when we are able to give it first. – Josias Corbin, Elite multimedia productions

Focus on fewer, higher-impact opportunities

As a business owner, I have learned that “less is more.” Trying to seize every opportunity has led to overextension and diluted focus. Focusing on a smaller number of higher-impact initiatives produces better results than spreading resources thinly. It’s crucial to say “no” to good, big opportunities. This enables deeper engagement, clearer vision and more meaningful results in the areas that really matter. – Dylan Fusco, Kamoti

To better communicate my long-term vision

I had to work on taking what’s in my brain and on my whiteboard and synthesizing it for the benefit of the team. Historically, I have not informed them of my long-term vision. This created short-term directions that sometimes went in a different direction from my overall vision. Having it hanging on the wall helps everyone create with that direction in mind. – Sam Saideman, Innovo Management

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To enable significant progress, it takes time

As a business owner, I’ve had to work on developing my patience. I always want everything to move quickly – results, growth, innovation – but I’ve realized that sometimes meaningful progress takes time. However, I’m still working on it – as anyone who knows me will attest! – François Hellyer, tick-tock

Let others’ ideas lead the way

When you’re passionate, it’s easy to assume your path is the right one. But some of the biggest breakthroughs come from stepping back and letting others contribute their own ideas. I had to learn to actively listen, collaborate, and sometimes change course based on feedback. It wasn’t easy to loosen that grip, but it made me a better leader. – Red Rodriguez, SEVERE

To listen more and speak less

I had to work on listening more and talking less. This is important because real ideas and solutions often come from others. Leaders who listen foster better collaboration and make more informed decisions. – Jessica BillingsleySona Capital

Lead with a gentler, more empathetic hand

I have worked hard to evolve my leadership style as the macro conditions in which we work have changed dramatically. With a fully remote team, I no longer interpret hours spent in the office as an indicator of productivity. I lead with a gentler hand and meet employees where they are, as opposed to a slightly firmer approach when we were all together in the office. More empathy, less judgment. – Dan Giuliani, Volt Athletics

Prioritize the overall well-being of employees

For a long time, I focused on productivity and business results. But, over time, I learned to improve and focus not only on my emotional and mental well-being, but that of each employee as well. The health of our company depends on the health of the people who make it up, physically and mentally, and the same goes for all other business leaders and their teams. Financial results improve with healthier, happier employees. – Jason Peterson, GoDigital Media Group

To better connect with diverse employee personalities

I have improved my communication skills and how I connect with various personalities within our organization. I began studying the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs personality tests to improve company culture and overall company effectiveness. If leaders don’t take the time to focus on communication, it will not only impact the culture, but it can also have negative consequences weeks, months, and sometimes years later. – Matthew Forster, CMS Nashville

Become a coach and mentor

When we were young, our academic and athletic training taught us that we needed to improve ourselves mentally, physically, spiritually and otherwise. It was because we were competing against others and wanted to stay ahead. But as I’ve gotten older and more settled into my success, I’ve found that I need to transition to becoming more of a coach and mentor to others. – Zain Jaffer, Zain Jaffer Foundation