Chapter III Coachability Skills 55
CHAPTER 3.
Coachability Skills
“Authority in education is to some extent unavoidable, and those who educate have to find a way of exercising authority in accordance with the spirit of liberty.” - Bertrand Russell
Enhancing learning
Many of us are familiar with the story about the Zen master who invited a professor for a cup of tea. The master kept on pouring until the cup overflowed saying that the professor’s mind was like that cup; “you came here to learn from me about the Zen, but all you have done is tell me what you already know. Empty your cup and let me teach you.”
Have you ever participated in a seminar where one of the participants keeps on telling her own ideas and opinions instead of really listening to what the teacher has to say? I have. Sadly, I must say that sometimes that irritating and selfish babbler has been me. No wonder that after having missed an opportunity to learn have I thought, “This was again one of those seminars with nothing new for me to learn.” How much time have I wasted because of my arrogance!
The teaching of the story of the Zen master is, of course, obvious: if you are not coachable - that is, willing to learn and surrender to being taught and coached - your cup is full and there is no space for learning and development.
Coachability Skills
“Authority in education is to some extent unavoidable, and those who educate have to find a way of exercising authority in accordance with the spirit of liberty.” - Bertrand Russell
Enhancing learning
Many of us are familiar with the story about the Zen master who invited a professor for a cup of tea. The master kept on pouring until the cup overflowed saying that the professor’s mind was like that cup; “you came here to learn from me about the Zen, but all you have done is tell me what you already know. Empty your cup and let me teach you.”
Have you ever participated in a seminar where one of the participants keeps on telling her own ideas and opinions instead of really listening to what the teacher has to say? I have. Sadly, I must say that sometimes that irritating and selfish babbler has been me. No wonder that after having missed an opportunity to learn have I thought, “This was again one of those seminars with nothing new for me to learn.” How much time have I wasted because of my arrogance!
The teaching of the story of the Zen master is, of course, obvious: if you are not coachable - that is, willing to learn and surrender to being taught and coached - your cup is full and there is no space for learning and development.
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