When asked what characteristics the most successful people have, I often mention curiosity. This is what it takes to learn from others.
In most organizations, there are usually some leaders who are achieving better results than others. This is a good thing. These days, very few travel dollars are needed to get help. What it takes is the willingness to ask the person achieving good results how they are doing it.
One difference between a frontline worker and a manager is that the frontline worker most often works side by side with others who do a similar job. A manager does not work side by side with other managers. Still, most leaders are aware of those areas in their own organization or outside their organization that are being successful. Yet when I ask these high-performing leaders how many others have reached out to learn from them, the answer is usually few or none.
There are two sides to this equation: first, the leaders who are achieving good results. They are often very humble and downplay their results. They do not want their peers to feel bad. They will say things like, “I am just lucky.” Because they are not witnessing others, they may not know what they are doing differently. It often takes fresh eyes from another person to determine that difference.
Then there is the person who is reluctant to search out others. Here are a couple of my findings. It can be denial. They cannot admit that something can be done to get better. Or, they might blame some other factor for their current results—such as, “My employee turnover is high because they can go to work at _______________(name of another place) and make more money.” Another reason is fear. “What if I cannot do what I learn needs to be done?” I am sure you can think of other reasons a leader might not seek out or accept help.
The highest of high achievers seek out others. A great football coach takes time to visit other coaches to learn from them. The best physicians are in constant motion to seek out the latest ways to help their patients. The best leaders are those who learn from others.
A few tips:
If you are getting great results, share your methods with others. This is not bragging; it is being helpful. Thousands of lives have been extended due to a researcher’s sharing what they find helps patients live better and longer.
Bury your ego. Seek out those with better results and ask them how they are doing it.
Relate; do not compare. There will always be some differences between your circumstances and those of others. Do not let that block the learnings. There are similarities also.
If you keep doing what you are doing, you will keep getting what you are getting. We can all benefit from being more curious. When we stay open—when we ask, listen, and learn from others—we create space for growth and innovation. Most of us have room to improve, and there are people who will gladly help us. When the student is ready, the teacher appears.
