One of the truisms that I embrace in life, and encourage others to embrace as well is the notion that life is full of "teachable" moments, so whether it is your child, your partner, a client or a co-worker, you should adopt a mindset to Always Be Teaching.
Why do I say this? Number one, the idea of giving back, and giving more than we take, is a powerful, pay it forward concept.
Don't talk the talk. Walk the walk.
Two, the idea of teaching and teachable moments forces one to soften their heart when others fail to see the full picture.
After all, there is a BIG difference between, "You let me down" and "Let me show you how to be better."
Three, the idea that we are teaching versus, selling, directing or admonishing, really focuses the mind.
What am I trying to communicate? What is the outcome goal? What other pieces do my counterpart need to know to be successful here? What is a reasonable expectation given the current understanding at hand?
Finally, when you embrace the notion of teaching, and BE-ing a teacher, you come to see interactions as part of a practice, and a discipline that requires a different kind of preparation, which forces YOU to be better, more directed and more process-driven.
By giving back, you become better.