As leaders, we all look to others to teach us valuable lessons in life and work. If we adopt the viewpoint that everything is a learning opportunity, it can make an enormous positive difference. But your teachers may be different than you expect.

Little mistakes
Recently, I made a mistake. It wasn't the first time. I am not a detail person, so when I'm responsible for details, I focus very intently and make checklists and enroll the help of others. My greatest fear is that something will fall through the cracks and it will be my fault. Guess what? Sometimes something does fall through the cracks, and it sure did last month.

One of our consultants accrues enormous expenses traveling to meet with his client. Each month, his expenses are paid 30 days after submission. Before any checks are cut, I sign off on the expenses to release them. Well, oops. I missed the fact that the expenses are almost all in foreign currency, and we've been paying everything in U.S. dollars. As I watched our expenses budget dwindle to nothing, I wondered why: The client pays on time, so there should be no problem.

What did I learn from this experience? Make sure the expense form has a separate column for foreign currency, and that it tabulates the correct conversion prior to signing off. Live and learn. Sometimes the small things turn out big—particularly when they cost you lots of money. But if I look at it as a learning experience, it's not quite so irritating.

Heroes
Who are your heroes? What do you know about their personal success stories? What do you admire in them, and why? A rich vein of learning comes from our heroes in business and in life. Take Mary, whose hero and teacher is Oprah Winfrey. During a challenging period for Mary, the general manager of a company recently acquired by a large parent corporation, I asked her to identify the traits she admires in Oprah as a way to cope better with her transition. She identified the top five: courage, strength, business sense, humor and heart. Those attributes describe Mary when she is at her best. I also asked Mary to talk about how Oprah has faced big challenges, and I asked her to make it into a case study she could learn from.

Mary quickly identified two case studies where Oprah's method of handling challenges could serve as a valuable lesson.

Oprah's legal battle with the beef industry. In the face of this conflict, Oprah never backed down and always took the high road. She behaved with dignity and courage. She also surrounded herself with friends and trusted advisors who helped her through.

The failure of Oprah's pet film project, Beloved. Again, with the same dignity and courage, Oprah did not let a major disappointment stop her from being involved with film and doing the best talk show on TV.

When Mary identified Oprah's actions, she immediately saw how they applied to her own challenge. Do you have any heroes you can look to for guidance in this way?

Who you don't want to be
Whose behavior do you never want to replicate? Have you ever had an atrocious boss? What made him or her so bad? How can you learn from that person's attributes and failings? What can they teach you? You can identify that anti-role model's actions, then strive for the opposite. If your nightmare boss was a micromanager, remember never to micromanage others. If the boss was a screamer, remember the impact that had on you, and consider what you'd like to do differently.

When we start having kids, we often think of our own parents' flaws. We think, "I'll never be like that!", and then we find ourselves sounding exactly like the dreaded unfeeling dad or overindulgent mom. Being conscious of what you don't want to do doesn't always mean you don't do it. Still, you have the opportunity to relearn how to lead, manage or be the boss you always wanted.

Unlikely wisdom
Remember Shakespeare's fool? Stop watching for brilliance only when you see Charlie Rose interview his latest author or film director. The least likely people can hold the greatest wisdom. Have you ever heard a taxi driver or your airplane seatmate tell the perfect story that makes your day? Remember, everyone you interact with has wisdom to share...if you look for it.

Meaning in the mundane
Those people who find meaning in every little experience seem to get the most from life. "I saw a bird overhead flying in a zigzag pattern, and I thought of a way to fix that stuck key on my laptop with a paperclip," they might say, or "My thumb got caught in the door, and I knew it was time to change jobs." One great way to activate our "lifelong learner" mindset is to start looking for meaning. Watch the signals life throws your way. The way you interpret reality is meaningful.

Try this
Today, listen carefully. What can you learn from the people you interact with? From the work you're doing? From your triumphs and your mistakes? From your daily newspaper or Executive Travel magazine? If you're ready, the teacher will come.

Karlin Sloan is founder and president of Karlin Sloan & Co. (www.karlinsloan.com), in New York, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Detroit, Denver and Washington, D.C. The company provides executive coaching, team-building and leadership development services. Email Karlin at editor@executivetravelmag.com.