Despite arranging all the necessary components of a successful educational environment (a “compassionate CFI coach,” a suitable learning zone, and incremental mastery for motivation) your project can easily fail if the learner has a low “teachability index!” This is a psychological wildcard, largely beyond the reach of an educator.

Thorndike’s Law of Readiness:

The basic needs of the learner need to be satisfied before he or she is ready or capable of learning. The instructor can do little to motivate the learner if these needs have not been met. Learners best acquire new knowledge when they see a clear reason for doing so.  FAA AIH

I think everyone knows that some people are receptive to education, ideas, and change, whereas others are almost automatically resistant. The close-minded attitude is the opposite of the totally aware and open “beginner’s mind.” This range of receptivity to instruction is called the “teachability index” and is largely beyond the reach of an educator to change.

Desire to learn x Willingness to change = Level of Teachability

One of the biggest roadblocks to tomorrow’s teachability is the belief that you’re already an expert, and therefore you already have the answers…more

For learning to occur, an educator must find a doorway of trust so communication can occur. Only with this invitation can communication occur that enables change and growth. A closed mind is most often caused by fear -usually disguised- or ego. Both of these are related to a lack of trust in the process. Fear poisons all learning and results in the higher order brain functions shutting down entirely – fight or flight. A lack of trust closes all doors to meaningful communication; the educator is “the other” and not welcome.

In aviation, with the obvious safety factors and substantial cost, it always amazes me that some people will sign up for instruction and then essentially not listen and defy all efforts to mold their behavior. Learning will not happen without a change in behavior, understanding, and/or attitude. Effective education requires communication and change.

[Learning is] a change in the behavior of the learner as a result of experience. The behavior can be physical and overt, or it can be intellectual or attitudinal. FAA AIH

High teachability derives from a balance between healthy skepticism and an open-minded willingness to learn and change

Improve Your Own “Teachability Index!”

One thing you definitely *can* change is your personal “teachability index!” More “teachable” educators (voracious learners) are much better at their job of communicating and growing their clients. This usually involves turning down the “expert” side of the personality and embracing the “humble learner” side. Working to develop a more open mindset, embracing imperfection and vulnerability, and supporting active curiosity, all contribute to a more positive educator personality.

Successful Teachability Includes:

1. Loving to learn for its own sake. (If it is strategic and aligned with your career goals that is a bonus. That does mean that you have to set some.
2. Being curious. Curiosity is also a stand-alone soft skill.
3. Asking questions and (really) listening to the responses.
4. Accepting responsibility for your failures and disappointments
5. Seeking guidance from people who are better informed.
6. Accepting criticism and feedback.
7. Moving out of your comfort zone
8. Accepting challenges.
9. Knowing your strengths and limitations, but being willing to feel discomfort.
10. Learning from everyone.
11. Not giving up unless there is a good reason. Sometimes continuing at something to the bitter end is not always the best solution.
12. Being willing to compromise. MORE

Please attend our SAFE Webinar this Sunday at 8pm EDT (FAA Master WINGS credit). We will discuss “Reflective Analysis,” a powerful CFI-PRO™ tool available to every pilot but essential for CFIs providing effective dual instruction. Honest “Review-Reflect-Redirect” is the pathway to excellence in your flying either dual or solo. Fly safely out there (and often)!

SAFE CFI-PRO™ provides the “Missing Manual” of master CFI techniques (what the FAA did not teach you). This program reduced flight training accidents by 60% in the two-year test period. It allows flight instructors to accelerate their teaching performance from “good to great” (and fly safer).  FAA Master WINGS credit is available for participation and the three previous Webinars are available on our SAFE YouTube channel.

Author: David St. George

David St. George. David took his first flying lesson in 1970. Flying for over 50 years, he began instructing full-time in 1992. A 26-year Master Instructor, David is the Executive Director of SAFE (The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators). He has logged >21K hours of flight time with >16K hours of flight instruction given (chief instructor of a 141 school with a college program for > 20 years). He is currently a charter pilot flying a Citation M2 single-pilot jet. View all posts by David St. George