I’ve been the young leader that has it all figured out and doesn’t need anybody’s help. ESPECIALLY not anyone older than me. Now I’m fighting being the older leader that has been there, done that, and knows exactly how to do it, no matter what’s working for others or what others say. I’m also in a position where I get to help a lot of younger leaders that are 5-10 years behind me in planting churches, but often meet the brick wall of no or low teachability. The prideful side of this can be ugly. The innocent side of this can be costly. I truly believe this strong statement that TEACHABILITY is the KEY TO EVERYTHING. Where is that in the Bible? I think its wrapped up in James 4:6 –  “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Teachability is humility. Being humble enough to know that I’m not always right, that I need others, and that I need correction and instruction from God and others.

Matt Keller’s book The Key to Everything: Unlocking the Secret to Why Some People Succeed and Others Don’t is a great primer on Teachability. Highly recommend it to every leader. Would be a great addition to a residency reading list. Keller builds his case for teachability looking at King Saul on the wrong side and the Apostle Paul on the right side. Much needed reminder for me at this stage in my life. And another book added to the file “I wish I’d read this 15 years ago.” Lol!

Here’s a few of my favorite quotes:

• people’s level of teachability is the greatest determinant of their long-term success. (p. xviii).
• Desire to learn times willingness to change equals our level of teachability. (p. 7).
• pride breeds presumption, and presumption kills teachability. (p. 16).
• the only way to multiply is to be willing to lose control— or better, to share control with others. (p. 33)
• everything good in life, including teachability, lives and grows in the margins. And an unhealthy pace eliminates the margins in our lives. (p. 65).
• Without margin, creativity stops. Without margin, fresh ideas don’t emerge. Without margin, conversations that produce breakthroughs don’t happen. Without margin, you don’t have the ability to grasp anything new. Without margin, teachability dies. (p. 70).
• Are you allowing your natural ability to give you a license to not pay attention and learn from others? (p. 102).
• One of the leading characteristics of the most teachable people in the world is that they don’t just tolerate feedback, they welcome it. Teachable people see feedback as their friend— their best friend. (pp. 107-108).
• openness to feedback is the great multiplier (p. 110).
• Your teach-ability determines your use-ability. — TODD MULLINS (p. 135).
• Real teachability says, “I’ll learn anything, anytime, anywhere from anyone.” — BRAD LEACH (p. 139).
• When you make the choice to invite teachability into your life on a daily basis, life becomes an adventure. Every day you are given another opportunity to gather valuable insight that will make you a better person in some way. (p. 187).

Check out the website for the book and hear from Matt Keller and check out some neat resources HERE.