If you are a marketer and have a down line or team, you are at the head of the operation, and others have to take orders and advice from you. Even in other positions of leadership, it is expected that the one at the top is supposed to be all encompassing and all knowing. This can put pressure on the leader to always seem the most educated out of the group. To put it colloquially, this results in “know it all-ism.” Basically, one refuses to admit a lack of knowledge in an area even if that knowledge is not present. It is difficult to take advice from or learn new things from subordinates. In the position of a leader, one becomes the teacher essentially to those below him or her. On the contrary, one of the most important things about being a teacher is learning new things from the students.
When you are in the position of a leader, it is always expected that you know everything. Especially in the marketing world, you will have a down line or a team who is always looking to you for advice. There is nothing wrong with being the provider of knowledge and advice for others. Nonetheless, it is important for you to also seek knowledge and advice from others. Particularly in the marketing business, it is important to always being informed of the latest trends and what is going on in the world. It is crucial to read current magazines, newspapers, and other sources of information. That way you will always have the answers for those beneath you.
Many of the best teachers are always learning. Even the most respected professors continue to seek higher education even after getting established careers. It is important to stay up to date with relevant information in one’s field. People in the medical profession especially have to continually be students for the duration of their career. Without this constant learning, there is really no way to advance. If one were to cease the education process on the completion of a diploma, the learned information would become dated, and the individual would be left unknowledgeable of what is going on in his or her particular field. If your job is to predict trends and promote products, you must always know what is current. Without this knowledge, you will not get any better at your job.
It is possible to learn from those beneath you also. However, they may not be as experienced or knowledgeable as you may, new information does not have to come from the longest withstanding source. What is printed in a new scientific journal is just as worthy as anything printed in a scientific journal that has been around for years. People in lower positions are of course, still learning new things, while people in higher positions think they have nothing more to learn. Because of this, people in higher positions can learn from those below them. As a teacher, listening to and learning from students is all part of one’s career. Teaching and learning are things that go together not only because teachers instruct those who are learning, but teachers are always learning also.
Todd Gragg is a successful business owner/entrepreneur committed to teaching and sharing social media marketing strategies to all businesses. You can also get Todd’s FREE 7 day video boot camp “How To Market Your Business Online” by visiting http://toddgragg.com and entering your name and email in the pop-up form. Be sure to immediately check your email.
