Gift of Teaching: Why it should matter to anyone?

"Why do you like teaching so much?" asked my son as I was wrapping a call with one of my students. It was not on a regular workday or during the evening that I teach. He has known me to teach at colleges and universities as well as through my own training organization (Agile Training Champions) that I founded with the only purpose of "Making a Difference." Yes, both my parents were teachers. So, I could say "Teaching runs in my blood!" To me, teaching is not for passing time but building society! 

Teaching, to me, is the way people create leaders! Teaching demonstrates one's love for the subject and builds character through that subject in students. In my humble opinion, if a student doesn't like a subject, it tells volumes about the teachers and their way of teaching! Why do people claim "Phobia for Math" in early grades in school?  Scientists call Math the Language of the Universe and how are we promoting the quest for knowledge in the younger minds? How are we creating love for the subject if we sow the seeds of fear for a subject? Teachers who love teaching teach their children to love learning!  

I had a good friend's sibling in school fail a subject back in India. This was many years back. I took it upon myself to teach this subject to the sibling, motivate continually and get the person to register for the exam again and finally succeed. I may not be available for every star fish that is washed ashore, but I made a difference to that one person's life! When this person managed to contact me several years later (as we got separated due to my stay abroad), the expression of how I mattered is priceless. Such "meaningful thank you" is what I am after when I say, "making a difference!"

Furthermore, teaching is not about showing expertise to students but being able to demonstrate our ability to learn from the students. It is a highest form of displaying modesty and humility! At a level that others see you as an expert, you demonstrate your vulnerability and willingness to learn from the students. In the movie, 'Taare Zammen Par,' the teacher takes an interest in a young student's way of expression and changes the perception of the school, the student's parents, and the life of the child by relating the autistic children! This is why I emphasize my reason for continuous learning as "The more I know, the more I understand how little I know. In that I learn continuously!"

Therefore, good teachers do not label or categorize students as 'slow poke,' as one of the teachers talked about my son. I wish the teacher who called Edison as being unable to learn anything can know how wrong the teacher was about Edison. As Dale Carnegie says in his book 'How to win friends and influence people?' emphasized, (paraphrased) "Even He does not judge us until after death; so, who are we to judge others?"

Good teachers owe their students the drive to let them own the 'continuous learning' and 'learning at every moment!" My classes focus on movies and anecdotal thoughts from such movies on many topics. "The ideas get cemented in my mind," said a few students from people that hear learning by association is a daily event! Students learn better when they experience their teacher's love for the subject and care for their students! That's why I continue to study not only fill my own gaps in knowledge but also demonstrate my love for making a difference. And, trust me, students monitor our progress and get motivated. "Fuel their fire for growth" is what teaching to me means! 

"Passion feeds knowledge and knowledge feeds passion!" No other profession other than teaching comes closer in this symbiotic relationship. Even though I know the subject at the back of my hand, I prepare for changes in the marketplace, new events that are relevant, and the type of audience in the class. So, every class is a project and so requires just enough planning to deliver the message better. And the students bring their rich experience and help you fill the gaps between sentences, words, and characters in your own subject! I am better in my concepts today because my students taught me!  

Good teachers enable their students to support their ongoing journey! They share their knowledge willingly and copiously through any and many forms as possible. In fact, to me, teaching is the best form of demonstrating servant leadership, situational leadership, and transformational leadership! In the movie, Hitchki, I remember a great saying about the teachers. 

"A normal teacher teaches, 

  a good teacher makes one understand, 

  a great teacher demonstrates how to apply the concepts, but 

  only some teachers inspire us to take a message forward"

If I can make a difference in one person's life by spreading through my life experience, teaching is the way I continue to "make a difference" by inspiring everyone that I have an opportunity to interface with. In the professional setting, this "teaching" may have additional forms like training, mentoring, and coaching (all of these have fine differences) but focus on making the other better while focusing on making ourselves better.

To my parents, siblings, friends, family, all the teachers, the students, coworkers, volunteers, and others that taught me and continue to teach me, thanks!

What are your thoughts?

Ignorance is not an excuse: Continuous Learning and Risk Management

In late 1989, I was doing a project as part of practical training required to complete my degree requirements for my Engineering degree. My project was on "Forward Error Correcting Codes" at Vikram Sarabai Space Center (VSCC).  The project required me to work with a small subset of errors arising due to the noise generated during shuttle noises and come up with codes that can make course correcting adjustments. Granted, I was working on a small simulation scenario. Well, my program didn't address about 10% of the scenario and I needed more time. My unit manager authorized an extension of a week when I have my program working. 

When I returned to the VSCC, I needed to get the entry card from the plant manager, who refused to give me the card without which I can't get to any facility. I had forgotten to turn in the card the previous time. When I mentioned that I didn't know I should return the card, he read the fine print on the card itself and said, "Ignorance is not an excuse!" Those words still ring in my ears as that was probably the best practical introduction to risk management in my life. Since then, I have done my best to read the details, understand as much as I can, and follow up when I don't understand. 

As I was heading the PMO, I asked about the risks that the project managers have identified for their projects. Even though some projects are simple cookie-cutter type of email campaigns, every assumption made on those projects is a risk. Working with a new client is a risk. Working on newer initiatives is a risk. Leveraging newer technologies, techniques, and tools is a risk. Therefore, in today's rapidly evolving world, the adage "ignorance is not an excuse" holds more weight than ever before. As individuals and professionals, we are constantly faced with new challenges, technologies, and potential risks that can impact our lives and work. It is our responsibility to stay informed and proactively seek knowledge to navigate these complexities effectively.

Continuous learning is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The risks we face, whether in cybersecurity, financial management, or environmental concerns, are constantly shifting and expanding. By committing to ongoing education and staying abreast of developments in our fields, we equip ourselves with the tools to identify and mitigate potential threats before they become critical issues.

Moreover, the modern workplace demands a more holistic approach to roles and responsibilities. Project managers are now expected to think like account managers (Think of the clients rather than focus on deliverable), understanding client needs and business implications. Developers must adopt the mindset of testers (Test Driven Development), anticipating potential issues and edge cases in their code. Similarly, development teams need to consider operational concerns, embracing DevOps principles for smoother deployments and maintenance. I see these trends towards the hybrid roles and cross-functional skills are applicable in my current organization to improve productivity. This is a powerful tool for comprehensive risk identification, analysis, and treatment. By understanding multiple perspectives, professionals can anticipate and address potential issues that might otherwise fall through the cracks of siloed thinking.

Ultimately, the pursuit of knowledge is a personal responsibility with collective benefits. By continuously expanding our understanding of potential risks, staying informed about best practices, and developing cross-functional skills, we not only protect ourselves but also contribute to a more resilient and informed society. In this context, ignorance is not just an inadequate excuse—it's a preventable liability that we all have the power and duty to address, both individually and as part of our professional teams.

The best way to address risks in products, projects, and programs and in our personal and professional lives is by continuous learning! Learning is a lifelong process and the more we learn the more we have the responsibility to teach others to learn. Learning therefore is also a leadership practice. Wouldn't you agree?