Always Be Open To Learning

"We should not only use all the brains we have, but all we can borrow." -Woodrow Wilson

Leave it to a child to remind you of the importance of humility and the willingness to learn from everyone.

One day, my daughter Alexandra was home sick from school. Since she was home, I took her with me when I went to run some errands. That morning, I was working on a piece of business marketing literature. So I took it with me to review at lunch and pencil in a few changes.

While we were standing in line to get our lunch, Alexandra noticed the paper I was holding and asked to look at it. I thought, "Sure, what does it hurt to make her happy and let her take a look?" I handed her the marketing piece and asked her what she thought. Honestly, I just wanted to satisfy her request. I did not expect to learn from her perspective.

What followed was amazing. I watched as my eight (almost 9) year old daughter carefully and thoughtfully reviewed what I had developed. She then offered two or three very insightful and helpful comments on what she got from the brochure. To be honest, it never occurred to me to seek input on this piece from my child. I very nearly made a huge mistake.

As we grow in both knowledge and skills, it is easy to discount or ignore input from people that we perceive as less skilled or knowledgeable than we are. Whose input do we discount? Maybe it is our children, our spouse, our employees, people with less formal education, and . . . the list goes on and on. Is it possible that they see something we don't see? Despite what we think sets us apart from them, could we learn from their perspective and experience?

Virtually every successful person I know or know of says that their willingness to continue learning was critical to their success.

So for now, I encourage you to remember this simple tip... Always be open to learning.

Copyright 2005, Guy Harris

You may use this article for electronic distribution if you will include all contact information with live links back to the author. Notification of use is not required, but I would appreciate it. Please contact the author prior to use in printed media.

Guy Harris is the Chief Relationship Officer with Principle Driven Consulting. He helps entrepreneurs, business managers, and other organizational leaders build trust, reduce conflict, and improve team performance. Learn more at http://www.principledriven.com

Guy co-authored "The Behavior Bucks System TM" to help parents reduce stress and conflict. Learn more about this book at http://www.behaviorbucks.com

---

Precious Moments

There is too much learning out there that we earn... Read More

It?s Not All About Cheese: The Missing Component in Employee Development (Part 1)

Spencer Johnson really hit a nerve when he wrote Who... Read More

Reveal the Leader Within

A Leader is not a certain type of person or... Read More

In Leadership, Dreams Are The Stuff That Great Results Are Made Of

Leadership is motivational or it's stumbling in the dark. The... Read More

The Goals of Leadership Coaching and Partnerships

Webster's Dictionary describes a "partner" as an ally or an... Read More

A Whack Up Long Side The Head Of Human Resources: The Leadership Imperative

When we perceive the simple center in the seemingly complex,... Read More

Leadership Skills and Ability

What is true Leadership.Is leadership something we are born with... Read More

Abe Lincoln: An Extraordinary Leader

Perhaps noted as one of the greatest United States presidents... Read More

5 Human Capital Asset Enrichment Strategies for Leaders!

Here's a really simple way to think about the ins... Read More

From Failure To Victory; The Cats Out Of The Bag!

Did you ever think that all of the great heroes... Read More

Stepping Into Leadership and Being The Source Of Your Success

Why is it that we often wait until we have... Read More

The Death of Potential

... Read More

The Four Laws Of Leadership (Part One)

Leadership is motivational or it's stumbling in the dark. After... Read More

People or Objects? - - You Decide

"How you think determines how you act. How you... Read More

Transformational Leadership

"What is leadership?" When this question is asked most of... Read More

Why You Should Ignore This Advice

Doesn't make too much sense does it? Am I really... Read More

Being Other Focused

In the Wall Street Journal, Franklin Lavin, U.S. Ambassabor to... Read More

Characteristics of a Good Leader

It's interesting to hear the responses from executives when I... Read More

On Being A Born Leader

"Leaders are born, not made." Right? Let me ask you... Read More

Ten Characteristics of Leadership

Many people are interested in the characteristics of a great... Read More

Charismatic Leadership

What motivates people to work and to achieve? What circumstances... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 4, Quiet Participants

There are many reasons why someone would decline to participate... Read More

Four Obstacles to Exceptional Leadership--Part 1

"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of... Read More

3 Elements of Leadership Power!

In an article discussing the need for innovative products and... Read More

8 Questions to Ask if You Want to be a Better Leader

Those that have successfully made the transition from manager to... Read More

Dissolving Conflict Through Reframing

Reframing is looking at the situation with a new set... Read More

Ask Yourself Whats In It For WE?

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working... Read More

Leaders Click It? Into Gear!

"Click It" Into Gear!Ever wonder how two people can be... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to See the Talents of Effective Leaders

An organization of any size, from the family to the... Read More

Introduction to the The Enneagram as a Leadership Tool

The Enneagram is a fascinating tool of nine orientations that... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 1, General Strategies for Unproductive Behavior

It happens easily. You're conducting a meeting and suddenly a... Read More

The Three Faces of Leadership

This article was published in the Nov. 2003 edition of... Read More

Boy Scouts of America and Leadership Coaching

The Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness talks with Dennis... Read More