Yesterday, I was talking with my brother about the challenge of teaching my son the technique of skiing.
I am very proud to have ignited in my son the passion for skiing. Teaching him the skills to become a proficient skier is quite another challenge. Having worked as a ski instructor in the past, I should know what to do but the parent-child relationship being by nature very different from what the teacher-child is, having my child listen and learn from my advice is something i struggle with a lot.
My big brother’s answer was:
Mediocre teacher tells.
Good teacher explains.
Superior teacher demonstrates
Great teacher inspires.
This is great advice i cannot refute. Saying and accepting something as truth is easy but applying great ideas in the real life is very difficult.
So today, we were on the hills skiing and Liam was struggling. The conditions were bad: lots of ice. The solution is easy: just turn more to control speed. Liam’s solution was simpler: hold on to daddy. I accepted this yesterday as a bridge to keep going and have fun. Today, i was thinking about his progression as a skier and i remembered the gift my brother gave me.
How do i inspire Liam to learn? It is difficult for a father to inspire. A father can love, guide and provide boundaries but for those reasons, a father does not generally inspire. So instead of trying harder, i found an original solution: find someone that can.
It was easy. Liam’s cousin is a year older but he is a ski prodigy. He has been skiing with us all day. He’s been waiting for his cousin all day. He is just kind but for him, it must have been a long day. So I ask Zack :
” How would you like to be Liam’s coach?
– I don’t know if i am good enough.
– Let’s ask Liam?
– ohh YES! “
So the deal was sealed. For a few trial runs, Zack would become Liam’s coach. Liam followed Zack like a disciple. Zack provided advice like a real coach.
In the end, both kids were inspired. Zack got a confidence boost from being called coach. And Liam found his mentor, his inspiration.
In return, i decided that i would teach Zack how to be a good coach by giving him a little tip every day. Today it was: a little advice, a lot of practice. If you give too much information, your student will be confused.
Tomorrow will be: Make fun as important as learning. The day after will be: at least 3 praises before one critic. I can go on and on like this forever.
Both kids will benefit and be inspired from this new relationship. I’m so happy and proud of them. I told my brother i had not only accepted his gift, i made it work for me.
Thank you Eric Pham-Dinh.
Original post Facebook, December 2015
Martin Pham Dinh 