No matter your position, and no matter how much experience and expertise you now possess, the fact is at some point you were a beginner. At some point you had to be taught. That’s true for all of us! But the more experienced and successful we become, the more difficult it is to remain teachable.
I write about this in the sixth chapter of Be An Inspirational Leader. It is difficult yet critical for senior leaders to remain teachable. But intentionally pursuing and retaining the mindset of a beginner is an excellent strategy—for everyone!
By retaining the mindset of a beginner, even the most senior leaders can learn and benefit from the perspectives and ideas of others. This mindset also helps you become more comfortable with asking for help. When you foster an attitude of teachability, and frequently and easily say the words “teach me,” it’s not very hard to go one step further and also use the words “help me.”
Being comfortable and willing to ask for help is an important characteristic of the beginner’s mindset. By asking for help, you set aside your ego and admit that you don’t know everything and you don’t have all the answers. Humbly and sincerely asking for help demonstrates an attitude of teachability and an openness to learning from others.
No matter your experience or level of expertise, no matter your age or number of years in your industry, no matter your education or the letters following your name, you can always learn something new. So approach the world with a beginner’s mindset, and see every situation as an opportunity to learn and to grow!
