The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader - Teachability

We continue our learning and growing with the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. This book carries the subtitle: "Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow".

Everything rises and falls on leadership. And leadership truly develops from the inside out. If you can become the leader you ought to be on the inside, you will be able to become the leader you want to be on the outside. People will want to follow you.

Quality #20 - Teachability : to keep leading, keep learning.

“Value your listening and reading time at roughly ten times your talking time. This will assure you that you are on a course of continuous learning and self-improvement." - Gerald McGinnis, President and CEO of Respironics, Inc.

If you want to grow your organization, you have to remain teachable.

Here are five guidelines to help you cultivate and maintain a teachable attitude:

1. Cure Your Destination Disease.
   1. Ironically, lack of teachability is often rooted in achievement.
   2. Some people mistakenly believe that if they can accomplish a particular goal, they no longer have to grow.
   3. The day they stop growing is the day they forfeit their potential - and the potential of the organization.
2. Overcome Your Success.
   1. Effective leaders know that what got them there doesn't keep them there.
   2. If you have been successful in the past, beware.
   3. If what you did yesterday still looks big to you, you haven't done much today.
3. Swear Off Shortcuts.
   1. As you desire to grow in a particular area, figure out what it will really take, including the price, and then determine to pay it.
4. Trade in Your Pride.
1. Teachability requires us to admit we don't know everything, and that can make us look bad.
2. In addition, if we keep learning, we must also keep making mistakes.
3. To gain growth, give up your pride.
5. Never Pay Twice for the Same Mistake.
   
   1. As a teachable leader, you will make mistakes.
   2. Forget them, but always remember what they taught you. If you don't you will pay for them more than once.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

“It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden, Hall of Fame Basketball Coach

Bringing it home:

1. Observe How You React to Mistakes.
   1. Do you admit your mistakes?
   2. Do you apologize when appropriate?
2. Try Something New.
   1. Go out of your way today to do something different that will stretch you mentally, emotionally, or physically.
   2. Challenges change us for the better.
3. Learn in the Area of Your Strength.
1. Continuing to learn in an area where you are already an expert prevents you from becoming jaded and unteachable.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc