Learning to Win – Responsibility and Teachability

Introduction

In my previous blogs, I explored John Maxwell’s book Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn. In my first post, I discussed Maxwell’s roadmap for turning losses into learning opportunities. In my second post, I highlighted the mental traps losses can create, keeping us stuck in fear, comparison, and self-doubt.

Today, I want to shift the focus to the two areas that help us turn losses into wins: Responsibility and Teachability. These two principles empower us to move forward, grow from our mistakes, and embrace lifelong learning.

Responsibility: The First Step of Learning

A powerful example of taking responsibility comes from actor Robert Downey Jr. Despite his early success, his career was nearly destroyed due to substance abuse. Instead of blaming others or making excuses, he took full responsibility for his actions, sought help, and turned his life around. In an interview, he famously said:

"It’s not that difficult to overcome these seemingly ghastly problems… What’s hard is to decide to do it."

Taking responsibility for our mistakes is never easy, but it is the first step toward real growth. Blaming external circumstances or other people keeps us stuck in the past. Accepting ownership of our failures gives us the power to change.

Teachability: The Pathway to Learning

Maxwell defines teachability as a person’s willingness to learn and grow throughout life. Some people resist learning, clinging to the belief that they already know everything. Jazz legend Louis Armstrong once described such individuals:

"There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell them."

So, how do we know if we have a teachable spirit? Maxwell lists key characteristics of teachable people:

✅ They have a positive attitude toward learning.

✅ They maintain a beginner’s mindset, always open to new insights.

✅ They are willing to take a hard look in the mirror and self-reflect.

✅ They listen when wise people speak into their lives.

A Personal Lesson in Humility and Teachability

A few years ago, I experienced firsthand the connection between pride and failure. I had been kayaking for years, even completing a long-distance trip with my 8-year-old son. I thought I had mastered the sport—until I made a small mistake during a time trial and flipped my kayak right in front of everyone.

A similar thing happened when I decided to take up snowboarding at 50 so I could join my sons on the slopes. I trained hard and spent hours learning, but the moment I felt overconfident, I had my worst fall.

These experiences reminded me that humility is essential for growth. As the proverb says:

"Pride goes before a fall."

When we stop learning, we stop growing. But when we embrace humility and remain teachable, even failures become stepping stones to success.

Conclusion

To turn losses into wins, we must take responsibility for our mistakes and remain teachable. By doing so, we shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset—one that welcomes challenges as opportunities to learn.

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read my first blog on Maxwell’s roadmap for growth and my second blog on the mental traps that hold us back.

What lessons have you learned from your setbacks? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments!