Many of us recall the teachers who made a difference in our lives. And often, it isn’t the academic lessons we remember most fondly, but rather how these special people encouraged and challenged us.
Sure, imparting knowledge is the primary job of every educator. However, the best teachers understand that teaching also includes communication, mentorship, personal development, and adapting to different needs — the same qualities that contribute to effective leadership.
So, as we mark World Teachers’ Day on 5 October, let’s look at what teachers can teach us about good business leadership.
What Business Leadership Lessons Can We Learn from Teachers?
Listen and Understand People
Teachers know everyone has different strengths and challenges. So, instead of adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, teaching, first and foremost, involves trying to understand those you’re attempting to guide.
One way to do this effectively in business is to actively listen to the people you’re working with. This means always focusing on what they say, withholding judgment, and responding with empathy, rather than passively hearing their words.
Yes, good communication helps leaders spot challenges and respond to opportunities, which is why it’s a core driver of business success. But listening to and understanding your team members also builds trust and helps everyone develop together.
Empower Rather Than Tell
Teaching is also focused on empowerment. That is why good teachers never simply dictate solutions, but rather encourage their students to analyse problems and discover the answers for themselves.
The same principle applies in business, where leaders can help their people develop in confidence by giving them room to think and decide independently. This also helps foster a sense of ownership and commitment.
In practice, this may entail asking questions like “what have you already tried?” and/or “what do you think the underlying issue is?” instead of providing instructions or answers. Such an approach shifts the focus from passive execution to helping people take greater responsibility for finding solutions and achieving results.
Make Feedback Part of Learning
Another teaching approach that can be applied to business leadership is the giving and receiving of feedback.
Yes, team member appraisals are a standard and important part of running a business. But rather than relying only on periodic assessments, leaders should aim to make regular, purposeful check-ins part of their business strategy. And don’t just zoom in on performance or, worse, mistakes. Instead, adopt a forward-looking approach, which emphasises what can be done better.
Incidentally, it’s just as important for leaders to be open to criticism, as it builds self-awareness, improves decision-making, and uncovers blind spots. It also shows humility, grace, and a willingness to improve.
Keep Learning and Adapting
On the subject of improvement, it must also be pointed out that teachers are themselves learners, who need to keep developing their knowledge and approaches in the face of new technologies and shifting expectations. This is why teaching well often requires continual learning and adapting.
Those in business face similar challenges, especially in the age of AI. Hence, leaders should always look for ways to integrate learning into their business strategy and operations. For instance, beyond the previously mentioned catch-ups and meetings, one could embed learning into day-to-day business activities by asking customers what they like, dislike, or think could be improved.
Entrepreneurs may also wish to consider enrolling in online self-development programmes such as those offered by QNET’s qLearn, most of which are designed to provide flexible, on-the-go education on a range of topics and specialisations. Indeed, programmes such as Becoming an Effective Leader and Leading and Managing Change can be especially useful in supporting continued growth and development.
Leadership is a Continuous Journey
Granted, running a business and leading teams and networks can be tough. But a willingness to learn, guide and empower, and adapt to change can make the entrepreneurial journey that much more rewarding.
The bottom line for those of us in direct selling, then, is that growth has no end date, and like the best teachers, business leaders must constantly strive to learn and move forward.
In this way, teaching and leading share a common purpose: both focus on helping people grow and reach their potential.
