From the Classroom to the boardroom
When I transitioned from teaching high school to entrepreneurship, I didn't realize how many skills and lessons I could carry over from the classroom. I taught middle and high school Industrial Technology (shop class) for 5 years and learned a ton along the way. Not only did my teaching career provide me with confidence, but it taught me valuable skills that I still use today. As I reflect on my time as a teacher here are 7 key lessons that guide me:
1. Building Relationships
Teaching taught me the value of collaboration and connecting with other teachers and staff to exchange ideas and best practices. This skill translates seamlessly to business, where building strong relationships with customers, partners, and industry experts is vital. Your network is your net worth after all!
2. Understand Who You're Working With
As a teacher, my clients are my students. I need to create a relationship, build trust, open up a line of communication, and create a strong culture. I need to understand who they are and what's happening in their lives. Sound familiar? Do those things with your clients, customers, and employees and you'll flourish.
3. The Value of Feedback
Great teachers seek feedback to improve their lessons. Similarly, as an entrepreneur we thrive when actively seeking input from customers, colleagues, and investors. Feedback isn't just information, it's a tool for growth and adaptation.
4. Maximize Your Resources
In teaching, tight budgets meant getting creative with what I had—often buying supplies out of my own pocket (which weren't deep). As an entrepreneur, this mindset helps me stretch resources and focus on efficiency to maximize results.
5. Embrace Challenges
Educators face obstacles daily, from tight budgets to overcrowded classrooms, yet they persevere. That resilience is critical in entrepreneurship. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, grow, and get better! Not a day will go by where you won’t face obstacles. It’s how you handle them that will create your success.
6. Planning
Teachers know the power of structured lessons from the first bell to the last. If you’re not prepared the kids will eat you for lunch. As an entrepreneur, planning your day can make all the difference. I keep a daily, weekly, and quarterly calendar that keeps me focused and on track. If you plan your business and create solid goals, you can control the outcome.
7. Patience
There is one skill you need more of as a teacher than anything else and that is patience. Kids will do and say the craziest things. I once had a kid stick a steal ruler through a planer that shot back out and nearly impaled another student. It was a challenge not to use that ruler to smack that kid across to forehead. In business, patience is also extremely vital. Things don’t always go as planned, but having patience will get you through to the other side.
Don’t underestimate the power of lessons learned in other fields. Teaching taught me resilience, resourcefulness, patience, and the value of connection—skills that have proven invaluable in business.
Whether you're a teacher, entrepreneur, or both, remember, the skills you’ve honed can lead you to incredible success.