When we think about ‘growing,’ we often think about learning something. When we think about making other people grow; kids in school, employees, students… we mostly think about teaching something.
Speaking from my own experience, I think the best way to get people to grow is to make them want to. Do not try to teach them something. Rather, try to make them want to learn what you want to teach them.
Once you goal and their goal align, that is when the real learning takes place. Let them figure out what the best way is for them to learn and then let them do it. All you must do is make them want it. That is why challenge-based learning is so effective, and why Montessori kids are better at a whole host of things.
So here comes the million-dollar question: how do you make people want to learn what you want to teach them?
Well, if only we knew. I think the best, and maybe only way, is to help people find out what they want—what they really want in life. And then hope that those things align with what you want to teach them. If they do not want it, intrinsically, then sooner or later, you will both be disappointed.
Help people become who they aspire to be, don’t tell them what you think they should know.