The Syrup –  The power of being teachable

“Be teachable. You’re not always right.” – Anonymous This quote got me thinking about all the people I look up to, both inside and outside of our industry.

By Susan L Combs | June 10, 2024 at 08:13 AM

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If you roll in my circle, you know I’m a massive fan of pictorial quotes that catch my eye on social media.  I actually have an album on my phone whereI save these nuggets of information for when I need an internal pep talk or see a friend struggling.  I was taught by my late father that if you get a good piece of information, it’s your obligation to share it with someone. After all, if it helped you, it will probably help someone else.

So here is one I heard recently that I thought was  such a good reminder:

“Be teachable.  You’re not always right.” – Anonymous 

Talk about taking a little wind out of your sails, huh?  The quote got me thinking about all the people I look up to, both inside and outside of our industry. When I started thinking about what they have in common, I realized that they are always open to learning.  Whether sharing an article they read, taking on a new designation, or just learning a new product or process, they are open to making themselves better and helping those around them.

I will tell you, starting a non-profit over the last year has definitely been a reminder of this simple phrase.  Serving on non-profit boards, even in a national capacity, doesn’t come close to running one. I’m sure my good friend Stephanie Berger would echo this after launching her Ellevate Foundation in recent years.  So many different rules and nuances make it as different from running a for-profit company as different as comparing bicycles to oranges.  

What do you do?

I often hear my dad in my head when I screw something up: “Suz, this is a teachable moment.” As long as we find lessons along the way, it can soften the blow of feeling like a failure.  But we must remain open.  Every time I show someone how to do a task, I think it’s important to give them the freedom to shift the process so that it makes sense to them.  I typically say something like, “We’ve got to get from A to B; I don’t care how you do it, just get to B.”  Then I show them how I do it, and often they come up with a different way and get the same result. It’s important to check your ego at the door and let someone work in a capacity that makes sense to them.  

I also think it’s important to surround yourself with people who give you the grace to learn, even when people see you as being at the top of your game.  For example, I’m the last person you want handling your Medicare account, but I have friends like Dawn McFarland or Nancy Giacolone , who let me ask what I deem as “stupid questions” and don’t make me feel like an idiot when I do.  

Embracing the mindset of being teachable is essential for personal and professional growth — and sometimes, for avoiding epic fails.  Whether saving inspirational quotes, running an insurance brokerage consulting firm, or starting a non-profit, life constantly reinforces the value of remaining open to learning and adapting.  It’s about recognizing that we don’t have all the answers and that’s perfectly OK.  

My dad was great at reminding me of the teachable moments when I would make a mistake, which sounds a lot better than “You really effed that up!” – though I heard that too when I needed a reality check.  Whether you learn by feather or by sword, it’s through these moments that we evolve.  By surrounding ourselves with supportive people who encourage us to ask questions and explore new ideas, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute positively to those around us. 

What’s something new you learned recently?