The Dual Roles of Successful People

First a quote: “Leaders are learners! The moment you stop learning, you stop leading. I learn as much as I can, from as many as I can, as often as I can.” – Rick Warren

Good morning and happy Monday,

First, a bold statement – My experience suggests that most successful people see themselves not only as teachers, but also, and perhaps most importantly, as students. Successful leaders see themselves as both teachers and students… almost always!

Perhaps this observation is the result of my own experience as a workshop facilitator for almost 45 years. I was first asked to facilitate supervisory skills workshops in the early 80’s as a young, and mostly inexperienced person who was relatively new to the workforce.

At the time, the majority of my “student/participants” were not only older than me, in most cases, they had more experience, including both managerial and life experience. I learned very quickly that I had much to learn, and that the more I learned, the more I could offer in return as a “teacher.”

It was very easy to see myself as a student, even as I was “leading & teaching” workshop discussions, activities, and concepts. I was painfully aware of my need to learn from others whenever I could. That understanding has served me well my entire career and even now as I’m writing the last couple of chapters of my career.

Even after 40+ years, it is a rare workshop where I don’t learn something from my workshop participants.

As I have shared this experience over the years, I rarely get any argument about leaders being teachers. It seems readily apparent to most that effective leaders are also teachers. They help others tackle barriers, overcome obstacles, and achieve greater levels of success.

“Before you become a leader, success is all about growing yourself. After you become a leader, success is about growing others.” – Jack Welch

I believe successful people can help others grow and learn; whether in a formal classroom setting, through mentoring, coaching, or simply leading by example. This act of teaching is not just about conveying information, but also about inspiring, guiding, and supporting others on their own journeys to success.

However, leaders seeing themselves as students doesn’t seem as obvious to many.

I have always liked the yin-yang image to convey the power of these contrasting, yet complimentary roles of effective leaders.

The Role of a Student

Successful people never stop learning! They continuously seek new knowledge, skills and perspectives to stay relevant and ahead in their fields.

Leadership lessons are almost everywhere we look, if we look with the intent to learn and discover. Because everyone has had experiences different than our own, we can learn something from every single person we meet, if we simply have a desire to proactively wear the hat of a student.

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” – Henry Ford

Through the lens of a student, everyone has something valuable to share and teach. Even a toddler can teach us the power of curiosity and a willingness to explore beyond our comfort zones.

With the mindset of a student, leaders can:

• Commit to Continuous Improvement: Lifelong learning helps us to adapt to changing environments and innovate within our fields.
• Stay Humble: Being a student keeps successful individuals grounded, reminding them that there is almost always more to learn.
• Expand Our Horizons: Learning from others – whether peers, mentors, or even those you mentor – broadens their perspectives and sparks creativity.

Most successful people understand the journey to excellence is not a solitary path but one enriched by both giving and receiving knowledge. By simultaneously embracing the roles of both teacher and student, we not only achieve personal success, but also pave the way for others to follow.

The world is full of teachers, just waiting for each of us to arrive ready to learn and grow.

Where will your classroom be this week? And which hat will you wear in that classroom? Teacher? Student? Perhaps both hats? That is my personal wish for you.

How will you live, love, or lead differently, or better, this week?

Sincerely,

Bryan Yager

“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”

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Bonus Quotes:

• “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy
• “Teachers who put relationships first don’t just have students for one year; they have students who view them as ‘their’ teacher for life.” – Justin Tarte
• “The best leaders are lifelong learners; they take measures to create organizations that foster and inspire learning throughout. The most effective leaders are those who realize it’s what you learn after you know it all that counts most.” – John Wooden
• “The ideal teacher student relationship exists when the student if better than the teacher.” – Kenzaburo Oe
• “The strength of our student relationships makes the difference in translating our passion for teaching in their passion for learning.” – Beth Morrow
• “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell
• “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry B Adams
• “Good teachers know how to bring out the best in students.” – Charles Kuralt
• “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” – Henry Ford