In this podcast, Mark Cole and Chris Goede talk about five things that don't require talent for personal growth and leadership development. They discuss the importance of teachability and continuous learning, as well as the value of taking responsibility and showing initiative. They also explore the myth of doing it all as a leader and emphasize the power of delegation. The hosts share personal anecdotes and highlight the impact of being teachable on personal and leadership growth. The podcast ends with a listener's feedback and a promotion for a leadership development business opportunity.
Teachability is crucial for personal growth and requires actively seeking learning opportunities and putting newfound knowledge into action.
Initiative is essential for success and involves taking responsibility, being proactive, and seizing opportunities.
Deep dives
Teachability: the desire to listen, learn, and apply
Teachability is defined as having the desire to listen, learn, and apply new information or skills. It involves being interested in learning and having a curiosity about life. Teachability does not depend on high intelligence or education, but rather on a genuine interest in personal growth. Successful people view learning differently, recognizing that they always have something new to learn, even if they are considered experts by others. To be teachable, one must actively look for and plan for moments of learning and ensure that the knowledge gained is put into action.
Initiative: taking action without relying on talent
Initiative is the ability to take action and get started without relying solely on innate talent. It involves accepting personal responsibility and being proactive in pursuing goals and dreams. Lack of responsibility is linked to a lack of initiative, and successful people understand the importance of taking initiative and seizing opportunities. Breaking down overwhelming tasks into manageable parts is essential to avoid paralysis and increase initiative. The downside of no initiative is that it leads to missed opportunities and stagnation. Taking initiative requires a mindset shift and a focus on personal growth and development.
Everyone has initiative, but it looks different for each person
Initiative is present in everyone, although it may manifest differently for each individual. Each person has a driver or a passion point that motivates them and fuels their initiative. As leaders, it is crucial to recognize and understand the unique drivers of each team member. By finding and nurturing these passion points, leaders can awaken a higher level of initiative in individuals. This involves aligning their roles and responsibilities with their areas of passion and providing incentives that encourage and reward their initiative.
The importance of aligning initiative with personal values
Initiative should be aligned with personal values and the desire to make a positive impact. By focusing on the greater purpose and mission, individuals can unleash their initiative and drive meaningful change. It is essential to evaluate and adjust the direction of initiative regularly, ensuring that it is aligned with personal and organizational goals. By pursuing initiatives that align with personal values, individuals can find long-term fulfillment and drive in their work.
Today Mark Cole and Chris Goede begin a new two-part series in which John Maxwell teaches five things that don’t require talent. These are characteristics every growing leader must embrace to get out of what we at Maxwell Leadership call “the people pile.” If you learn these five things, you’ll take your leadership to the next level. Today we’ll talk about points one and two. And next week, we’ll cover three through five.
Key Takeaways:
- Nothing is interesting if you’re not interested
- Look for and plan your teachable moments
- Lack of responsibility = lack of initiative
Our BONUS resource for this episode is the “Things That Don’t Require Talent Worksheet,” which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Talent and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.”
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