Being teachable is not about knowing less. It is about recognising that there is always something new to learn, from other people, from experience, and even from our mistakes.
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A teachable person stays curious, welcomes constructive feedback and remains open to changing their approach when better information becomes available.
Research into growth mindset similarly suggests that people can develop their abilities through effort, effective strategies, support and practice.
1. Listen before responding
According to Maxwell Leadership, listening is essential. Instead of preparing your reply while someone else is speaking, focus on understanding their perspective.
Ask questions when something is unclear and resist the urge to defend your position immediately.
2. Ask for honest feedback
Feedback can reveal blind spots that are difficult to identify on your own. Career Concepts recommends asking trusted colleagues, friends or mentors what you could do differently, then focus on practical ways to improve. Specific, timely feedback is particularly useful for learning.
3. Get comfortable saying “I don’t know”
Admitting you do not have all the answers creates room for learning. Rather than seeing uncertainty as a weakness, treat it as an invitation to investigate, ask questions and develop your knowledge.
4. Learn from your mistakes
Mistakes are inevitable. The important question is what you do afterwards. Consider what went wrong, what you could change and what the experience has taught you.
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5. Stay curious
The Art of Simple recommends getting into the habit of always reading. Read widely, learn from people with different experiences and try new approaches. Curiosity helps prevent complacency and keeps your thinking flexible.
6. Practise what you learn
Knowledge becomes more useful when you put it into practice. Repeated practice, combined with constructive feedback, supports the development of knowledge and skills.
7. Replace “I can’t” with “not yet”
A challenge does not necessarily mean you cannot succeed. A growth-oriented approach focuses on what can be learned and improved over time.
Ultimately, being teachable is a daily choice: listen, stay curious, accept feedback and remain willing to grow.
Also see: Tips to navigate the process of unlearning
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