During a phone conversation with one of my colleagues this week, I jokingly said, “I’m unteachable—especially when it’s something I don’t like doing!” We both had a good laugh about my playful stubbornness, but there was some truth in that statement:
It’s hard to be teachable when you don’t really want to learn what’s being taught.
Not long after our conversation ended, I came across an article written by John Maxwell as a guest post on Mark Sanborn’s blog. The title: “If You Want to Learn, Be Teachable.” Amused by the coincidence, I had to read it.
In the second paragraph, Maxwell says this:
“Teachability is a choice. We choose whether we are open or closed to new ideas, new experiences, others’ ideas, people’s feedback, and willingness to change.”
So true! Being teachable really is a choice. Despite my joking about it earlier this week, I really do desire to be a teachable person. I consider myself a lifelong learner. My education, both formal and informal, is one of the best investments I have ever made. Whether it’s studying books, reading articles, listening to podcasts, watching news stories, visiting museums, or talking to friends, colleagues, and even strangers—I am always learning something new.
Maxwell included 5 traits of a teachable person in his article:
- Teachable People Have an Attitude Conducive to Learning
- Teachable People Possess a Beginner Mind-set
- Teachable People Take Long, Hard Looks in the Mirror
- Teachable People Encourage Others to Speak into Their Lives
- Teachable People Learn Something New Every Day
How about you, do you choose to be teachable? Are you a lifelong learner? I hope so! Being teachable is one tip for greater success that I guarantee produces results!
To read the full article by John Maxwell, please click here.
