How to Learn & Change: 2 Traits Leaders Need

It’s often said that “leaders are readers.” Maybe. But even as an author, I’ll push back on that catchy and rhyming (possibly clichéd?) statement. Why? Because people learn differently.

Some learn by watching others–both the right and wrong things. Some learn through lectures. Some learn by trying, risking, and failing. Some learn through talking with people. Some by simply … listening.

So let’s be careful not to shame those who don’t gravitate toward reading. It’s perfectly fine not to be a robust reader—as long as we keep learning.

Two Traits of Learners:

1. Desire.

2. Curiosity.

Desire: I have to want to learn. To grow. To change. That’s fundamental to any improvement. The oldest line in the training business is, “The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.” True enough. But is there a desire to … improve?

The antithesis (a favorite word!) to growing would be complacency. If I’m content with who I am, how I think, how I feel, and how I behave, well, then that’s it. I’m done. No growth for me. And since we can’t make others want to change—so says the QBQ! book—I suppose that’s their business.

How about you, got desire? 😉

Curiosity: A couple years into my career selling training programs, a mentor entered my life. With an Australian accent that mesmerized Americans, Bevan Clark showed genuine curiosity everywhere we went. I can still picture him in the lobby of prospective clients, talking to the receptionists of the world —

“When did this company start?”

“What products do you sell here?”

“How ‘bout this building—ay idea when it was built?”

“What do you do every day?”

Watching Bevan be curious, I learned to become more intentionally inquisitive. I was always naturally a questioner, but his example deepened my curiosity and how often I expressed it.

I suspect every great invention, from the telephone to the Internet, started with someone wanting to know something they didn’t know. That’s curiosity.

Are you a curious person? Do you ask enough questions?

One Quick Story

Kristin and I were speaking in a joint session, teaching the QBQ! message of Personal Accountability in a resort ballroom to 250 people. Dinner was planned halfway through, so the catering folks were busy prepping in the back. When we were done speaking, our client contact, Jennifer, came over and whispered, “See that young man? He’s one of the servers. He just asked me how he could get a hold of one of your books.”

Gabriel, 22, was not just listening—he was eager to learn and obviously curious. There’s nothing wrong with being a server, but clearly, he wants to do and be more. So, I told her, “Well, I do have an extra copy on me tonight, and it’s all his.”

And that’s the photo you see. 😊

I don’t know where Gabriel will be in a few years, but I guarantee he is a learner—and a leader. And for those who believe “leaders are readers,” well … there you go. 😎 

Are you learning, growing, and changing?