Manufacture Your Day by BEING TEACHABLE

Ouch.

It can be one of the most difficult things to acknowledge that we are not always right. That’s true, especially for women.

Just kidding. Deep down men know that women are always right.

On a more serious note, have you ever noticed that there are some people who have a tremendous need to show how smart they are?

That’s why I would like to recommend a great leadership book:

“What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” by Marshall Goldsmith

Did you know that it is incredibly difficult for smart people to listen to someone tell them something they know without pointing out: “I already know that”?

Fingers crossed that you don’t fall into that trap.

Whenever I start a workshop with a new group of managers or executives I tell them 2 things up front:

1. Please don’t say “I know that” because you won’t be able to take in new information. As soon you say that, the “blinds close”, so to speak. Say instead, “What can I learn from that?”
2. Avoid saying, “This won’t work for me.” Say instead, “How can I make this work for me?” 

Can you see the difference?

Everybody is an expert in something, and we can learn from everyone we meet. Over the years the people in my workshops have become my greatest teachers because I listen to what they have to say and this gives me the opportunity to learn more about their needs, fears, motivators, challenges and desires.

Not everyone is teachable and not everyone is coachable but you, you are definitely not one of them. Right?

Here is to you striving to become the best you can be.

Food for Thought:

Excerpt of Marshall Goldsmith’s book – “We need to win people’s admiration. We need to let them know that we are at least their intellectual equal if not their superior. We need to be the smartest person in the room. It usually backfires. Many of us do this covertly and unwittingly all day long.”

My strategy is different, I usually recommend to my coachees and workshop participants to “play stupid” (ask questions such as “I have no idea. You are the expert. What is your recommendation?”).  That’s what I do and that’s when I learn most.

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