Last week, I discussed Teamworkand identifying which team you were on. Once you've identified that, now I'd like to extend that conversation to being coachable.
It's no surprise or let me say not debatable that players normally have more skills than the coach. When I look at the great athletes, they'd run circles around their coaches on the field and on the court. However, what makes a great player is his ability to LISTEN to the advice that the coach gives him. Why?
The coach is able to see things the player can't see. Raw skill is great, but strategy is a completely different game. Even with raw skill, a player can become complacent and that is where the coach comes in.
In the home, there are some children that are far more intelligent than their parents. However, parents normally (due to age) have seen more than the child and can provide guidance to help them avoid certain pitfalls in life. The same goes for the workplace and the list goes on.
This old guy named James said something about being QUICK to LISTEN and slooowwww to speak. Dr. Covey said to "seek first to understand before being understood." There is something great about being someone who is teachable. While you might think you know it all, it's great sometimes to listen to the wise counsel of others because it's easy to walk around with blinders on and think you know it all.
"Sometimes you don't know, what you don't know." -Unknown
Being coachable and teachable can help you go further faster in life. It will help you become interdependent because no man is an island and it helps you be part of the team; remember teamwork makes the dream work. As good at Tom Brady is, he can't win the game all by himself.
On your teams, you can't do it all alone, you need your parents, you need the leaders in your organization, you need your significant other, you need your friends and associates to help you to the next level.
Reflect on your teams and the role you play. Are you allowing yourself to learn from others around you or do you think you are the smart person in the room? You might be and if so, maybe it's time to switch teams where you are not the smartest person in the room to provide yourself the opportunity to grow.
