Have you ever noticed that when you explain something to someone, you understand the subject on a much deeper level? This is no coincidence.
Many of us spend our lives consuming information—reading articles, watching videos, and taking courses. And that’s great! But learning becomes much more robust when we switch roles: from a consumer to a creator and a sharer of knowledge.
The three pillars of learning through teaching
Mental reinforcement and organization: To teach, you need to organize your ideas in a logical and coherent way. This process of structuring information solidifies the content in your mind, making it more accessible and easier to remember. It’s like tidying up a messy closet: in the end, you know exactly where everything is.
Identifying knowledge gaps: When you try to explain a concept, you might come across points you don’t fully master. That thought of “how do I explain this?” is a sign of a gap in your knowledge. This is a golden opportunity to go back and study to strengthen what was missing.
Learning from others: When you share, you open a channel for communication. Your audience—whether a coworker, a friend, or your blog’s readers—can ask questions, offer new perspectives, or even correct what you’ve said. This constructive feedback is one of the most powerful drivers of learning.
How to start sharing knowledge today
You don’t need to be an expert to get started. The important thing is the desire to share what you know. Here are a few simple ways to begin:
Help a colleague: When someone on your team has a question, offer to help. Explain a piece of code, a process, or a concept.
Write: Start a personal blog or use platforms like LinkedIn to write about something you’ve recently learned. It can be a small tutorial or just your thoughts on a topic.
Create a project: Build a small project and document the process on GitHub. This not only helps you reinforce your knowledge but also serves as a guide for others.
Participate in communities: Answer questions in forums, study groups, or on platforms like Stack Overflow.
Teaching is not just about what you give; it’s also about what you gain. By sharing, you become part of a virtuous cycle where everyone evolves. So, why not take the first step today and start learning in a different way?