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This is the second part of teachability. We just talked about how everything is changing—technology is evolving, economies are shifting, and politics are a mess. But here’s the question: Are we too stubborn to relearn?
The world isn’t going to slow down for us. The only way forward is to stay teachable. If not, we’ll end up bitter, frustrated, and stuck in the past—just like the 44% of workers whose core skills will be outdated by 2027 (World Economic Forum, 2023). The data is clear: those who refuse to learn get left behind, complaining about how strange things have become. That’s not wisdom—that’s just selfishness. Refusing to keep up just because we’re too proud to admit we’re behind. Are we really that fragile?
Teachability: The Strength Most People Don’t Have
Teachability is a mix of confidence and humility—and most people can’t handle that balance.
What does this mean? Confidence comes from experience, wisdom, and knowledge. But here’s the twist:
- Smart people get proud.
- Wise people stay open.
That’s teachability—it hits your ego hard. It’s not about being the smartest in the room; it’s about having the guts to keep growing when others stop. A Harvard Business Review study found that the most successful leaders are highly teachable—open to feedback, willing to unlearn, and quick to adapt. In fact, employees with a learning mindset are 30% more likely to be high performers (Deloitte, 2021).
A Motto That Changed My Mindset
I’m a proud graduate of Monash University, and its motto has stuck with me: “Ancora Imparo”—Latin for “I am still learning.”
This isn’t just a phrase—it’s a way of life. From my first day at Monash, I saw that motto and carried it with me until graduation. Even today, it still guides how I think and grow.
Last year, I attended a Monash alumni event. The people there? Impressive. Driven. Intelligent. It made me proud—truly proud—to be part of this network. And yet, there’s something all of us felt—the power of Ancora Imparo.
Think about it. Out of all the words in the world, Monash chose “I am still learning” as its motto. That says a lot. It’s a reminder that no matter how much we achieve, we can’t afford to stop learning.
The Courage to Look Foolish
This is what teachability is all about:
We need to be secure enough to admit we don’t know everything and brave enough to keep learning anyway.
That takes courage—because learning makes you look foolish at first.
- Pick up a new skill? You’ll struggle.
- Learn a new language? You’ll sound ridiculous at first.
- Step into an unfamiliar space? You’ll feel lost.
But here’s the thing: You won’t look foolish forever.
Most people avoid learning because they’re scared of looking stupid. But the real fools? The ones who refuse to grow. Neuroscience research confirms that learning new skills creates fresh neural pathways, improving adaptability and problem-solving ability. In other words, the discomfort of learning is literally your brain rewiring itself for success.
That’s the mindset I teach my children: Embrace the struggle. Push through it. Because those who dare to learn outgrow those who refuse to.
And at the core of it all? Self-awareness.
When you truly know yourself, you become secure in who you are. And when you’re secure, you’re not afraid to learn, fail, and grow.
Five Brutal Twists That Make or Break Teachability
Teachability isn’t easy. It’s built on five paradoxes that most people struggle with:
- Confidence with Humility
- Confidence says, “I know this.”
- Humility says, “I still have more to learn.”
- Teachability says, “Be confident, but not too proud to learn more.”
- Action with Reflection
- Action says, “I learn by doing.”
- Reflection says, “I learn by thinking.”
- Teachability says, “I grow by doing, reviewing, and improving.”
- Structure with Adaptability
- Some people stick to structure like it’s everything—proven methods, formulas, tradition.
- Others break the mold too fast—chasing innovation without a foundation.
- Teachability says, “Follow solid principles, but adapt to new realities.”
- Example: Doctors.
- Medicine is data-driven, structured, precise—because lives are on the line.
- But adaptability led to breakthroughs like mRNA vaccines, and now we’re close to mRNA cancer treatments. In fact, over 50% of all workplace tasks will be automated by 2025 (MIT Technology Review, 2023), meaning those who fail to adapt—just like outdated medical practices—will struggle to stay relevant.
- That’s teachability in action.
- Expertise with a Beginner’s Mindset
- Experts say, “I have years of knowledge.”
- Beginners say, “I start fresh every time.”
- Teachability says, “Master skills, but always stay curious.”
- Giving and Receiving Feedback
- Giving says, “I teach others.”
- Receiving says, “I learn from them.”
- Teachability says, “I do both at the same time.”
The Superpower Most People Ignore
Teachability is a superpower, but not everyone can handle it.
The most resilient, successful, and impactful people aren’t the ones who know it all—they’re the ones who never stop learning.
Teachability is the ultimate growth engine. It’s what separates the stagnant from the unstoppable. A PwC study found that companies that fail to invest in learning lose 60% more employees—and individuals who resist upskilling are the first to be left behind. The lesson? Learn, or be left behind. Ignore it, and you’ll be irrelevant next year. Embrace it, and nothing can hold you back.
This is teachability. And next, we’ll talk about attitude—because it’s closely linked to teachability. Stay tuned.
