The Difference Between Learning and Being Teachable
Over the course of my career, I've taught thousands of people how to do something - from culinary techniques at the classroom and ice sculpting to leadership and entrepreneurship. Along the way, I've discovered something interesting:
Some people know a lot, yet they're almost impossible to teach.
Others may know very little, but they possess one quality that makes them a joy to work with—they're teachable.
Given the choice, I'll take the teachable person every time.
A Lesson from Ice Sculpting
Throughout my culinary career, whenever a new employee was hired, they were often sent directly to me for training. That pattern continued for decades.
Later, while owning and operating Masterpiece Ice Sculptures, my team and I had the opportunity to train hundreds of culinarians in the art of ice sculpting. We traveled several times each year to the University of Tennessee and Pellissippi State Community College to teach culinary students how to sculpt ice.
Our format was intense. Five students at a time. Two hours. Then another group of five. At Pellissippi, we repeated that process eight times over two days.
Every group had its own personality, but one pattern never seemed to change.
The student who walked in saying, "There's no way I can do this," often finished among the top two performers.
Why?
Because humility kept their mind open.
They listened carefully. They asked questions. They accepted correction. They were teachable.
Knowledge Doesn't Equal Teachability
Ironically, the hardest people to teach were often those who believed they already knew enough.
I've met people who graduated from excellent colleges convinced they had all the answers. Education is valuable - but it was never meant to be the finish line.
College should be the beginning.
The classroom gives you tools. Life gives you opportunities to keep learning.
As I've often said:
"College is the place to learn tools so that you can be teachable when you walk out the door." — JP
Learning vs. Being Teachable
These two ideas sound similar, but they're very different.
Learning
- Is something you do.
- Often happens in seasons - a class, a book, a degree, or a certification.
- Can happen through reading, listening, watching, or practicing.
- Primarily increases your own knowledge and skill.
Being Teachable
- Is something you are.
- Is a character trait, not just an activity.
- Requires humility.
- Happens in relationship with other people.
- Is a lifelong pursuit.
- Opens the door to wisdom, deeper relationships, and greater influence.
Why Leaders Must Be Teachable
Leadership isn't about having all the answers.
It's about being willing to receive them.
The moment a leader believes they have nothing left to learn is the moment they begin to lose influence.
The best leaders I've known ask questions. They invite feedback. They remain curious. They surround themselves with people who challenge them, and they're secure enough to admit when they don't know something.
That's teachability.
Knowledge may make you competent.
Teachability makes you grow.
A Personal Challenge
Take an honest inventory of your own life.
Are you a good learner?
More importantly...
Are you teachable?
If you cultivate both, you'll never stop growing. You'll become someone others enjoy investing in, someone who continues to improve year after year, and someone who leads with humility instead of pride.
Learning fills your mind.
Teachability transforms your life.
And in the long run, teachability will take you much farther than knowledge alone.
Thanks for reading.
Chef Jeff
Sweet and Savory Classroom offers hands-on cooking classes, team-building events, kids' cooking camps, and family culinary experiences for all skill levels. Our interactive classes help participants build confidence in the kitchen while creating memorable experiences together. Gift certificates are available for cooking classes, camps, and private events.