Meeting

I went to a seminar yesterday for work techniques, and one of the most useful portions of the day was an assessment that asked the question, "Who was your best teacher?" and "What were their characteristics?"

It was obvious listening to the responses that when you're trying to teach someone something, you fall into the dynamic that taught you the most effectively. This may not be a good thing. For instance, my most effective teacher was the guy who got me into construction. His characteristics were:

Crude
Demeaning
Profane
Harsh
Allowed a large amount of individual freedom in work
Didn't care how you looked as long as the work got done
Didn't care what you did outside of the workplace

The only way you knew you'd done something right was when he said nothing at all. There was no expression of praise, merely silent support for good work. If you screwed up, you heard about it, publicly and humiliatingly, and you fixed it. You were expected to take initiative on your own and supervise yourself. He did not expect 'busywork'; if there was nothing to do, there was nothing to do. The workplace environment was tough, difficult, dangerous, and uncomfortable. You were expected to show up and work regardless, and to keep your mouth shut and not complain.

It was pointed out to me by a 'discussion partner' that this imprinted leadership dynamic creeps into my workplace behavior, and is not appropriate for what I do for a living currently. I honestly expected the seminar to be largely a waste of time, but instead I found it extremely useful and informative.