Being teachable is a sign of humility and valuing the input of others. As leaders, we have far more influence on those around us as we seek to learn from even the most Jr. of our teams. Remember when you were first given the opportunity to contribute to the growth of others…or teach someone a new skill, perspective, or observation? What kind of influence did that have on you? For me, It spurred on a greater desire to contribute even more. This fostered a hunger for professional and personal growth. When we have a teachable heart and attitude, it helps others around us grow and in doing so leads the team or company to even more significance and success.
The things that we feed in our lives will grow. If we focus on insecurities we will become defensive, argumentative, and narcissistic. If we focus on loneliness, we become needy and cling to others. When our focus is on learning and being teachable we grow and influence others around us to do the same. It is imperative to understand that we are constantly in motion towards success and significance or distraction and destruction.
As we strive to be teachable…to help grow in our own lives and influence the growth in those around us, here are some things to consider
Cure Your “Destination Disease”. Goals are great and important. What kinds of goals are we setting? Once that goal is achieved are we setting the next target or just basking in some kind of glory? Once we stop striving towards goals which stretch us beyond our area of comfort, that is when we stop growing and start back-sliding
Overcome Your Success. What got us here…to this level of success…will not get us to the next place where we need to grow. Learn what is necessary from how we got here, but we cannot live in the past
Swear off from Shortcuts. It seems like every day we get to hear about quick fixes, hacks, cheats, and more. There is no substitute for hard work, diligence, learning from mistakes, risking the making of mistakes, and hours of blood, sweat, and tears when striving for success.
Trade in Your Pride. No one knows everything. Even if we have been doing our job for 15+ years, we can still learn from a newcomer. Using our positional authority and/or industry experience to win a dispute only causes others to lose their respect for us.
Never Pay Twice for the Same Mistake. We will all make mistakes so long as we are trying to improve. Be willing to step out into an area not previously explored. There will be bumps and bruises that come with these actions. Learn from them, and avoid making the same mistake time and again.
Observe How You React to Mistakes. Are we passing the blame, playing the victim, or obfuscating responsibility? If so, learning will not come. Apologize when appropriate, admit our mistakes, take ownership and put together a plan on how to overcome.
Try Something New. Often we will need to approach a situation from a different perspective. If we are not in the habit of slowing down to think through an opinion opposite to our own maybe there will be is a new tool to use. Force a break in daily patterns to help challenge our status-quo which may provide breakthroughs.
Pursue Continued Learning in Your Area of Strength. There is always something new we could learn from others in areas where we are strong. In athletics through my youth and young adult years, I was constantly reminded that no matter how good I get, there will always be someone better. We always have someone from which we can learn more, even in areas where we already thrive.
There are few things in life which provide a greater ability to influence others than being teachable. I know that the more I believe that I am helping leaders in my life to grow by what I am learning and teaching, the more I will want to continue that pattern. Sometimes being teachable is a struggle. Life can seem easier if we just coast after we have earned that degree or certificate. If we truly want to be leaders who influence others to greatness, keep a teachable spirit and learning heart.