It was a sunny day in 2019 when I walked into a training session, eager to learn something new. However, four hours into the session, I felt disappointed. It seemed like the speakers weren’t offering any valuable insights, at least for me and I honestly wanted to leave.

Just then, one of the speakers said something that caught my attention. It was just a simple phrase, but it made me pause, think and connect many dots. And that small moment changed my whole perspective on learning.

I realized that even if someone isn’t the best at what they do, there’s always something to learn from them. Maybe they have poor communication skills, or maybe they’re not the most knowledgeable person in the room. But there’s always a lesson to be learned, no matter how small.

This idea applies not just to formal training sessions, but to every interaction you have in life. Whether it’s a colleague, a family member, or a complete stranger, there’s always something you can learn from them.

For example, you might come across someone who is terrible at public speaking but has an incredible work ethic. Or maybe you meet someone who says things that don’t make sense but has an interesting life story that you can learn from.

It’s easy to get caught up in someone’s flaws or shortcomings, but focusing on the negatives won’t get you anywhere. Instead, try to focus on the positive things you can learn from them, even if it’s just one small thing.

The key is to approach every interaction with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Even if you don’t agree with someone or don’t like them, there’s always something to be gained from the experience.

So the next time you’re in a situation where you feel like you’re not learning anything, remember that there’s always something to be gained.

Stay curious, stay open, and focus on the lessons you can learn, no matter how small. You never know where those lessons might lead you.

And if you enjoyed this write-up or learned something, be generous and share, you never know who you might lead to learning something new.