What are "teachable moments" in leadership?

Teachable moments in leadership refer to unplanned opportunities that arise to reinforce or illustrate important learning principles. These instances often occur in everyday situations and can provide invaluable lessons for both leaders and team members. By seizing these moments, leaders can enhance understanding, clarify expectations, and effectively demonstrate values in action. For example, a leader might use a mistake made by a team member to discuss the importance of accountability, turning a potentially negative experience into a powerful learning opportunity.

In contrast, scheduled evaluations of team performance, team-building exercises, and formal training sessions are structured and planned activities. While these are important for developing skills and fostering team dynamics, they don't capture the essence of teachable moments, which are unexpected instances that naturally arise in the context of daily operations and interactions. The spontaneity of teachable moments often makes them more impactful for learning and retention.