What if the fastest way to become valuable isn't knowing more… but staying a student?
- Erez "Terry" Barkaee
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Many years after leaving school, I am convinced that learning is still one of the most important skills in business.
Recent research on learning strategies suggests that people remember more, understand more deeply, and perform better when they:• Teach others what they learn• Struggle through problems before finding solutions• Practice mindfulness and focus
Reading this, I realized these principles are already part of my daily life.
Most mornings start with quiet time, meditation, reading, and podcasts.
Not because I need more information.
Because I want to remain curious.
Because every day brings an opportunity to learn something new.
One recent example was a PW150A engine project.
Working closely with an operator's Asset Manager, I learned far more than I expected about engine condition assessment, maintenance history, performance parameters, specification reviews, and how operators evaluate risk when making engine acquisition decisions.
Throughout the process, he often complimented me by saying I was "a good student."
To be honest, I took that as one of the greatest compliments I could receive.
The project was not simply about sourcing an engine.
It was about listening.
Learning.
Asking better questions.
Understanding the operator's real struggle.
And then working together to find the best possible solution.
That experience reinforced something I have come to believe strongly:
We do not fail.
We only receive opportunities to learn.
Every customer requirement teaches us something.
Every challenge expands our knowledge.
Every conversation contains a lesson if we are willing to listen.
The moment we think we know everything is often the moment we stop growing.
At Zooey Aerospace, this mindset shapes how we support operators every day.
Whether we are sourcing a hard-to-find PW150A engine, solving a repair challenge, or helping locate a critical component, we approach every project as students first.
Because the more we learn, the better we can serve.
And perhaps that is one of the reasons we strive to be more than a supplier.
We strive to be A Part of Your Life.
If you could choose one skill to keep improving for the rest of your career, what would it be?
Quick Q&A
Q: What is the most effective way to learn something?A: Teach it to someone else. Explaining forces deeper understanding.
Q: Is failure bad for learning?A: Not necessarily. Struggle often creates stronger understanding and longer-lasting knowledge.
Q: Why is mindfulness important?A: Focus improves retention. A distracted mind rarely learns deeply.
Q: How does this apply to aviation?A: Every requirement, technical review, repair project, and customer interaction is an opportunity to learn and improve service.
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