Great leaders are great teachers. They know that they must continuously evolve and explore ways to improve themselves so that they can help others continue to improve. Leaders should prioritize teachability as a core of their character commitments.
Teachability is a great concept, but what does it mean to commit to being teachable? Below are some tips to help you on your journey!
Know your subject
It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts. Coach John Wooden of UCLA won 11 national championships in 12 years, yet he never stopped searching for ways to learn more, improve himself, and improve his teams. He leveraged the knowledge of basketball from his experience as a player and the wisdom of his coaches. Further, he interviewed opposing coaches to gain insight into their strategies.
After every season he sent out his research survey on a particular basketball topic to coaches who were outstanding in that field. Even towards the end of his career, he attended every coaching clinic he could; always with an open mind, wanting to learn more. Although many considered him a “subject matter expert” he constantly sought more knowledge.
The BPO industry is continually evolving. Leaders and other team members should focus on reading, researching, attending seminars, expanding subject expertise, or seeking advice.
Seek intellectual balance
“Learn as if you were going to live forever, live as if you were to die tomorrow.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Coach John Wooden took this message to heart. He took several classes in psychology as he thought it would help him become a better teacher. Moreover, he was an avid reader of a variety of subjects. The numerous books that he read about Mother Teresa and Abraham Lincoln helped him formulate his philosophy of life which he shared with his students. He truly had intellectual balance.
Having an intellectual balance let leaders develop the right understanding of the surroundings and improve their ability to learn, grow, and demonstrate.
Professional Attitude
“Learn To Disagree Without Being Disagreeable.”
Conflicts are part of every organization, when a team of best minds works together disagreements are natural. Learning to work through these situations with an open mind, calmness, and composed attitude is the right thing to do and grab unparalleled growth opportunities. A true leader will always approach workplace disagreements with a professional attitude.
Maintaining Discipline
Discipline and teachability go hand in hand, without the former the latter cannot sustain long.
You cannot antagonize and be a positive influence, and you will antagonize when you discipline through emotion. Discipline is required in any learning environment. It is helpful to remember that the purpose of discipline is to teach, not to punish.
Plan and Organize
Hard work and careful planning are crucial to meeting set goals. To achieve what is desirable, starting with a detailed and documented plan can help. When you plan, you are aware of every step and all possible consequences. At first, spending much time planning and plotting may seem like a waste of time but in the end, it is all worth it.
Community Relations
The happiest moments in life come from making someone else happy. Building community relations and helping those in need will not only make a person a better version of themself but also give great opportunities to absorb valuable lessons. Giving back to the community and making a remarkable difference in others’ lives is important because our community has given so much to us.
Teach By Example
More than critics, our young workforce needs examples. Examples that motivate, teach, and help them grow. When we set a great example, instruct with reason & not criticism, and listen to them, we’re likely to have a more productive relationship. One that benefits both the student as well as the teacher.
Be Considerate
There is nothing better than being considerate of others’ feelings and thoughts. Your words, skills, and ability to learn & teach may get dull if you are less careful about the people around you. The greatest leaders are more concerned with loving than being loved, giving than receiving, and serving rather than being served. You will discover that when you learn to put the needs of others at the forefront, the whole organization will benefit.
Desire to Improve
There is always room for improvement even if the world pursues you as perfect and successful. As long as you try to improve you continue to learn. A burning desire to improve is the trademark of a truly great teacher and leader. Once the desire to improve ends the learning stops.
Great teams and great companies strive to remain hungry, humble, and smart. We do this through actions not our words.
At Etech, teachability is one of our servant leadership characteristics. Join Etech to work with a team that is committed to not just teachability, but also to integrity, accountability, adaptability, valuing people, communication, humility, positive influence, teamwork, vision, creativity, and courage.
