I’m reading a book by Pete Carroll.

He says one of the great strategies for good leaders is to “learn your learner.”

Here’s the concept.  Everyone is different so everyone learns differently.  He teaches his coaching staff to expect differently.  He expects his coaching staff to be flexible in accordance with the styles of their learners.

In other words, he believes that coaches who believe there is only one way or style to coach will always fall short of their best result.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

For certain, I have a preferred way to lead.  Left to my own resources, I’ll lead that way.

But Carroll reminds us that our first order of business when leading a new team or teammate isn’t to just jump in with your preferred methods.

It’s wise to probe a bit.  Learn about backgrounds and experience.  Explore talents and interests. Understand how others have effectively taught or led them in the past.

Job one isn’t leading.  It’s learning.