Characteristics of a Teachable Person

Man sitting on a bench overlooking the sea, reading a book.
 

In my previous post, I outlined some characteristics of an unteachable person.  Now I’d like to offer the flip side to that and provide some characteristics of a teachable person.

To begin with, teachability is not so much about competence and mental capacity as it is about attitude. It is the desire to listen, learn, and apply. It is the hunger to discover and grow.

In short, teachability is the willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn.


Teachability is the willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn.


I love the way legendary basketball coach John Wooden states it:

“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

John Wooden 


Characteristics of Teachability

It’s rightly been said that when a leader stops learning, it won’t be long before they stop leading.


When a leader stops learning, it won’t be long before they stop leading.


So, what are some of the characteristics of a teachable person?


A teachable person keeps a humble heart.

"Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him" (Proverbs 26:12).

Teachable people approach life with an understanding that they can learn from anybody regardless of that person’s state, status, or station in life. Such a spirit requires humility, and such humility keeps the door open for knowledge and truth to find a lodging place in our hearts – even if it comes from the most unlikely of sources.


Teachable people approach life with an understanding that they can learn from anybody regardless of that person’s state, status or station in life.


We demonstrate humility when we learn from criticism or seek the counsel of others. If pride prevents you from receiving correction or asking questions, you are not teachable.


A teachable person learns in failure.

"And you say, 'How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors” (Proverbs 5:12-13).

Failure is seldom welcome.  Yet it can serve as fertile soil in which the seeds of learning can take root. Many of the profound lessons that have stuck with me the most are ones my own failures taught me.


A teachable person maintains a high curiosity quotient.

“It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out” (Proverbs 25:2).

God uses human curiosity to expand our knowledge and understanding. Teachable people place themselves intentionally among people, events, cultures, and thoughts that will challenge their status quo.

“I have no special talent; I am only passionately curious.”

Albert Einstein


Teachable people place themselves intentionally among people, events, cultures, and thoughts that will challenge their status quo.



Learning to Learn

Futurist and author John Naisbitt believes that “the most important skill to acquire is learning how to learn.”

Here are a few suggestions whereby you might grow in this skill:

1. Learn to listen.

As you go through each day, remember that you can’t learn if you’re always talking. As the old saying goes, “There’s a reason you have one mouth and two ears.” Listen to others and you will learn things that can help you expand your leadership capacity.


You can’t learn if you’re always talking.


2. Understand that learning is a means to an end.

Remember, the greatest enemy of learning is knowing. You may have speed bumped on that statement, so read it again: the greatest enemy of learning is knowing.


The greatest enemy of learning is knowing.


For one thing, if you think you already “know,” you don’t think you have more to learn. A know-it-all doesn’t really know at all!

Secondly, the goal of learning is action, not knowledge. If you don’t act on what you learn, genuine learning hasn’t taken place. 

3. Look for and plan for teachable moments.

Teachable moments occur nearly every single day – in an observation or through a conversation.  If you capture these moments, you will discover that there are opportunities to learn in nearly every situation.

But you can also take another step beyond this and actively seek out and plan teachable moments. You do that by reading books that challenge you, visiting places that inspire you, attending events that prompt you to pursue change, and spending time with people who stretch you and expose you to new experiences.

After 40 years of ministry, I have come to see that one of the most important keys to sustainability and success is a teachable spirit.  It keeps you from getting off track.  And it can energize you for another lap.

 

“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” 

Proverbs 4:13

 

 

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