Teach it to learn it

The fastest way to know if you understand something is to try to teach it to someone else. You’ll quickly discover what you actually know—and where the gaps are—simply by explaining a process out loud.

Small businesses can use this practice to teach employees new skills and make the learning stick.

I use a “show me how to do it, watch me do it, trust me to do it myself” approach, where “teach it back to me” occurs in step two.

First, show me how to do it. This is where the learner observes the task being done correctly. It’s important to narrate your thinking, not just your actions. Explain why you’re making certain choices so they understand the decision-making behind the task, not just the steps.

Second, watch me do it. Instead of just performing the task, the learner teaches it back while doing it. They explain each step as if they were training someone else. This forces them to organize their thoughts, recall the process, and make sense of it in their own words. You’ll immediately hear where they hesitate, skip steps, or misunderstand something. That’s your opportunity to coach in real time.

Finally, trust me to do it myself. Once they’ve demonstrated understanding and execution, step back. Give them space to perform independently, while still being available for support if needed. This reinforces ownership and builds confidence.

This approach works well in small businesses because it doesn’t require formal classrooms or long training sessions. It can happen on the floor, at a desk, during a normal shift. It turns everyday work into a learning opportunity.

If you want to take it a step further, rotate the “teacher” role among team members. When employees regularly explain tasks to each other, knowledge spreads faster, consistency improves, and your team becomes more self-sufficient.

The takeaway: if someone can teach it clearly, they understand it. And if they can’t, you’ve just identified exactly where to focus next.