Ask Yourself, "Am I Really Teachable?"

Being teachable means respecting others, being open to learning, accepting feedback, and embracing change. It requires humility to acknowledge that there is always room for improvement and growth.

The Winslow Assessment measures “teachable” in the Coachability trait — in other words, teachability and the respect for managers and those in leadership positions. This trait hits close to home for me as I’m a “3” out of “10” in Coachability (and will probably always be a “3”). That said, in gaining an understanding of my tendency to resist instruction, I have learned to consciously become more open-minded when I find myself in those teachable moments.

Take a moment and think about your attitude toward new ideas and/or constructive criticism. Are you receptive to others’ insights, or do you find yourself resistant or dismissive? Recognizing your own teachability is the first step toward becoming a more effective learner and achieving personal and professional success.

To start the process of knowing whether you are really open to new ideas (or constructive criticism), I suggest taking a Winslow Assessment to gain an objective perspective.

Also, answering the following questions (taken from John C. Maxwell) will shine light on our teachability:

Am I open to other people’s ideas? Being open to other people’s ideas is a valuable trait. It allows for the exchange of diverse perspectives and can lead to enhanced understanding and innovation.
Do I listen more than I talk?
Am I open to changing my opinion based on new information?
Do I readily admit when I am wrong?
Do I observe before acting on a situation?
Do I ask questions?
Am I willing to ask a question that will expose my ignorance?
Am I open to doing things in a way I haven’t done before?
Am I willing to ask for directions?
Do I become defensive when criticized?
Do I listen openly for the truth?