What does it mean to stay teachable in a world changing faster than ever?

In this episode, I reflect on the work of Daniel Pink and revisit an idea I first wrote about in 2015 called “The Sponge Factor,” the ability to absorb knowledge, feedback, and experiences, then transform them into better ideas and practices.

We explore why this mindset matters more than ever in education and leadership, especially as AI and emerging technologies continue reshaping the future of work and learning.

I also share personal examples of how I’ve tried to develop “sponginess” over the years, including: • Learning guitar and piano later in life • How blogging shaped my thinking and growth as a writer • Why consuming ideas I disagree with has made me a stronger learner and leader

This conversation dives into curiosity, feedback, growth, skepticism, creativity, and why adaptability may become one of the most important human skills in the future.

As I shared earlier this year: “We are not only preparing students for jobs that don’t currently exist, but also a workplace where many jobs will no longer exist.”

If we want students to thrive in uncertainty, we have to help them become learners who can continually adjust, grow, and create.

Questions for reflection:

1. What experiences have helped you become more adaptable as a learner?
2. How do we create schools and organizations that value growth over certainty?
3. Are we helping students memorize information, or helping them learn how to learn?

Link to Dan Pink video: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYUlEnSsS5q

Link to Blog Post: https://georgecouros.com/the-sponge-factor-dan-pink/

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros: X: https://x.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros: Forward, Together: https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Read the full Substack post: https://georgecouros.substack.com/p/3-lessons-four-years-after-starting

Subscribe to my Substack: https://georgecouros.substack.com/subscribe

Four years ago, I packed up my minivan with my dogs, Cooper and Odom, and drove from Edmonton, Alberta, to a new life in Orlando, Florida.

Starting over was exciting, terrifying, and ultimately transformative.

In this solo episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, I share four lessons I have learned since making that move: how a fresh start can help you build a new version of yourself, why sometimes you have to leave to feel appreciated, how easy it is to overlook the opportunities already in front of us, and why you have to create the life you want rather than the one others think you should live.

Whether you are navigating a new job, relationship, home, goal, or chapter of life, I hope these reflections remind you that change does not automatically create something better. You have to make it that way.

Get your copy of “Forward, Together” here on Amazon!

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

X: https://x.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

In this episode, we dive into one of the most challenging parts of leadership in education: navigating difficult conversations with staff, caregivers, colleagues, and school communities. Inspired by the book Connecting Through Conversation, this discussion goes beyond theory and into practical, real-world strategies that help leaders communicate with clarity, empathy, and confidence.

We share stories from our own experiences in education leadership, including conversations that went well, conversations we would handle differently today, and the specific approaches that helped build stronger relationships and healthier school cultures. From addressing conflict and accountability to staying grounded during emotionally charged moments, this episode is packed with practical insights school leaders can use immediately.

Questions explored in this episode include:

• Why do so many school leaders avoid difficult conversations until situations become much harder than they need to be? • How can leaders balance accountability with empathy during emotionally charged situations? • What are practical strategies leaders can use to stay calm, grounded, and productive during high stakes conversations? • How can avoiding difficult conversations actually damage school culture more than having them? • What leadership lessons have we learned from difficult conversations we would handle differently today?

Whether you are a principal, superintendent, instructional coach, teacher leader, or aspiring administrator, this conversation will help you think differently about communication, leadership, and culture in schools.

Book Referenced in This Episode: Connecting Through Conversation https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWWC65JW

___________

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset

🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com

🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros

Follow George Couros:

X: https://x.com/gcouros

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519

📚 Books by George Couros:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20

Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/