Be Teachable.

There’s a story of success nobody talks about enough: the ability to stay teachable after you’ve become good at something. Because the moment you stop learning, you start defending. And the moment you start defending, growth quietly leaves the room.

As we started GCSE exams last week at work, I saw this image come up on Pinterest. It really struck me as something to consider whatever age and in both our personal or professional lives.

Be humble, be teachable and always keep learning is another one I have recently seen. I am a big believer in continuing to develop my learning if not through a course then through books and documentaries. I love learning and reading new things and then expanding my mind and seeing another side to an argument which adds context and develops my thought processes and arguments. How on earth do we know that our argument is justified if we don't hear all sides? A recent documentary called Speechless, had me speechless! but I learnt a lot about ensuring we listen to all sides and arguments and ensuring we do this professionally and respectfully as well as learning what was going on in academic institutions across the US and in the UK.

I have just read a book on the Blue Zones and the Power 9 wanting to supplement my lifestyle with more healthy ideas and hacks. Again it was an eye opener that 6 different regions in the world all boasted a healthy supply of centenarians. The book showed nine ways you could create a better quality of life and a maybe gain a few more years.

I have also recently read Systemology - recommended by a colleague - simplifying systems for organisational gain. Great book in terms of getting the basics right. Last week I read 'Five Generations in the work place' following a shout out at a great session at the AoC Marketing Conference and my great takeaway was 'lenses not labels'.

Every book I read, or documentary I watch, I take a little nugget of information with me that will develop me and my activities in the small way. I realise now that my teachers would have loved to teach this person who was less that excited about learning at school and did it because she had to and not because she wanted to. It seems wrong that our thirst for learning comes later in life 20-30 years after formal education! But it's never to late to learn!

Back to the image: most people don’t fail because they lack potential. They fail because their ego becomes allergic to correction. Feedback feels personal. Even when it’s helpful. Especially when it’s helpful.

Someone points out a weakness, and suddenly it feels like they’re questioning your intelligence, your value, your capability, your identity. So instead of listening, we explain and then we justify.... and then we deflect. Ultimately, all we are doing is protecting the image we have of ourselves.

The coach who corrects your form. The manager who challenges your habits. The friend who tells you the truth you didn’t want to hear. The mentor who says, “You can do better.”

These moments sting because they expose the gap between where we are and where we could be. And that gap is uncomfortable.

I often move away from conversations with the person I think is the least interesting in the room and that is generally either the person who thinks they already know enough or the person on transmit in a conversation. Teachable people move differently.

They ask questions and continue to ask questions to find out more. They don’t weaken under correction or feel stupid because they understand that feedback is information, not condemnation.

Criticism doesn’t determine your value. Your response to it determines your direction. It is a known fact that in most cases very successful people we admire have had their work challenged, corrected, rejected, or refined: athletes watch game film, writers have editors, CEOs have advisors / coaches, artists redo drafts marketers proof and reproof copy, analyse images and make changes to ensure it is right. Growth has always required adjustment. No one evolves by being constantly told they are brilliant and 100% right.

And being teachable does not mean accepting every opinion blindly. Not all feedback is wise. But even harsh feedback can contain useful truth.

The people who rise furthest in life usually share one trait: they remain coachable long after others become defensive. If you need to know more, read the book, 'Winners'.

They understand that humility is not weakness, its leverage.

I am not saying you have to enjoy feedback for it to change your life, just stop resisting it long enough to learn from it whether personally or professionally.