Teaching the Smart vs. the Stupid LO13453

Roxanne Abbas (rabbas@comp-web.com)
Sun, 04 May 97 13:39:52 PDT

Replying to LO13364 --

Ben told of his frustrations with members of his work group:

"From my conversations with these eight people it seems that they're just
working 8 - 5 so they can get drunk on the weekend, or spend their weekend
golfing. They're not interested in building a meaningful career, they
don't care whether they develop new skills. It leaves me bewildered."

Ben's experience reminded me of the story of Procrustius, a great and
powerful ruler in ancient times. Procrustius castle was located along a
major commercial route and weary travelers would often stop and inquire
about a place to sleep for the night. Procurustius proclaimed that all
were welcome to stay as long as they fit his bed. Short people were put
on the rack to stretch them to the proper length. Tall people were "cut
down to size".

Trying to force others to live up to our expectations is very painful for
them and frustrating for us. I have come to believe that it is the first
job of the leader and teacher to accept people as they are. Sometimes we
cant fully understand the other person, but we need to accept them. Ben
and the rest of us on the list were all given the gift of joy in learning;
others have different gifts. If we can give up our tendency to expect
others to be like us, we will be better able to see their unique talents.

Best regards,
Roxanne

-- 

Roxanne Abbas rabbas@comp-web.com http://www.comp-web.com "We don't see things the way they are. We see things the way we are." - Joan Borysenko from "Fire in the Soul"

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