Committing to ‘Teachability’ Takes You One Step Closer to Becoming a Great Leader
There’s one characteristic that separates a successful leader from an unsuccessful one in every walk of life: teachability.
A leader who is teachable continuously evolve by exploring ways to improve himself so that he can help educate others. At Etech, we have embraced “Teachability” as one of our character commitments.
But what does it mean to commit to teachability?
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 (Earl Warner, Glenn Curtiss, and Piggy Lambert). As a college player, he interviewed opposing coaches to gain insight into their strategies. As a high school coach, he attended Frank Leahy’s Notre Dame Football practices and learned time management. After every season, he sent out his research survey on a particular basketball topic to coaches who were outstanding in that field. Through 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 always sought more knowledge. Whether it is the BPO industry or hospitality, one should never stop reading, researching, attending seminars, expanding your subject expertise, or seeking advice from those around you.
General knowledge
Gandhi once said, “Learn as if you were going to live forever, live as if you were to die tomorrow.” Coach Wooden took this message to heart. He took several classes in psychology as he thought it would help him become a better teacher. He was an avid reader on a variety of subjects. The numerous books that he read about Mother Theresa and Abraham Lincoln helped him formulate his philosophy of life, which he shared with his students. He truly had intellectual balance. When people ask one of Etech’s leaders, Dilip Barot, what he does, his first response is always, “I am a student of life.” His life works back up that statement.
Professional attitude
Learn to disagree without being disagreeable. There will be conflict in any work environment. Working through these situations with an open mind, calmness, and reason is the mark of a true professional and enables unparalleled growth opportunities for you and those around you.
Discipline
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.
Organization
There is no substitute for hard work and careful planning. At the core of Etech’s success are project plans. Everything we do starts with a detailed and documented plan to drive success. At times, it seems we spend as much time in planning as in execution, but it works!
Community relations
The happiest moments in life come from making someone else happy. At Etech, we have been blessed. It is our responsibility to help others, especially those less fortunate intentionally. When we do, not only we will find it rewarding, but we will learn some valuable lessons along the way.
Teach by example and not always words
Our youth need examples more than critics. When we set a great example, instruct with reason & not criticism, and listen — we’re likely to have a productive relationship – one that benefits both student and teacher.
A genuine concern for others
People truly do not care what you have to say as much as they want to know that you truly care about them. In my 35 years in business, my best leaders were more concerned with loving than been loved, giving than receiving, being a motivator rather than being motivated. You will discover that when you learn to put the needs of others at the forefront, the whole organization will benefit.
A burning desire to Improve
When success blinds you to your opportunities, you will face failure. The burning desire to improve, even when others view us as successful, is the trademark of a truly great teacher. Never lose that desire to improve!
Be an ideal teacher, a great leader, and until next time, may you make a remarkable difference in the lives of the people you touch each day.