Managers and The 90% Rule

You retain 90% of the information you teach someone else to use immediately.

People retain only 5% of what they learn from a lecture.

Any questions why you need to be a great teacher as a manager?

Great managers understand short-term sacrifices are needed for long-term development of team members.

Highlight the word development because it's a process.

Teaching is most effective by showing.

• If you want your people to retain a new skill, model it for them first and allow them to observe the steps.
• Then give them a chance to try it themselves KNOWING they will probably make mistakes along the way.

(Isn't that the way you normally learn - through trial and error?)

Does teaching take longer?

Yes.

But will it make your team more successful in the future?

Yes.

Leaders who want to do it all (DIY), create a bottleneck at the top.

Their actions say, "Let me do this since you can't do it the right way."

Yet leaders who prioritize development in their people, also help generate motivation, confidence and trust.

It's tempting to think teaching produces a result (which it does), but great teachers train a process to get there.

If you truly believe as a manager your people are your greatest asset, start by practicing patience with individual learning styles.

The challenge when teaching as a manager is knowing your preferred learning style may not match theirs.

Are you flexible enough to use different means to achieve the desired end?

Willingness to be creative comes down to effort and attitude (both can be controlled).

That's why great managers never stop being curious, learning or allow pride dictate their decisions.

Great managers take delight in seeing their people succeed.

Most of the time the team's success is at the cost of speed (slower than if you DIY).

Yet great teachers gladly prioritize the former because it instills confidence in their people.

If you care about building your legacy as a leader, start by developing your people.

How do you do that?

Become a great teacher.

Need help as a manager?

Check out my free resources at scottasai.com or message me and I'll be happy to share practical tips you can implement now.