from Carol
He was a bright, inquisitive, young man accustomed to making straight A's... with little effort. So when he came to CP mid-year, the new student was absolutely outraged when I suggested we find him a good tutor. "I don't need a tutor", he professed. He was under the impression and mindset that having a tutor would mean he was slow, or not as smart.
It took only a few conversations and a few sessions with his new tutor to prove to him that this was not a demeaning experience but rather an amazing gift of opportunity to dialogue with an expert.
This is an example of one of the roots from which a leadership education stems - the connection of a passionate expert sharing and guiding his student to personhood through a given subject.
The ancient Greeks understood and practiced disseminating powerful lessons in this way. The pupil often acquired the basics in just a few years. He then was able to understand and pursue more advanced topics and develop at a rate commensurate with his desire.
A key is to enliven the student's passion, to make it interesting. Another is to develop a relationship so that he understands his responsibility for learning and the resulting effects on his life. When a student has a thirst for knowledge, he simply needs to be guided to the resources to quench it. The resulting flow of information and dedication from tutor to student is enhanced and learning seems effortless.
What a joyful way to learn!