By now we are all aware of this phrase, but I wonder how often we apply it to ourselves?
When we are good at something we tend to take it for granted and if we are not intentional, we can become complacent. Being good at something keeps us from becoming great.
Over the last year I have been addressing this in my own life and in the particular arena where I spend most of my time: teaching. I was even so bold as to put this statement in my annual self-evaluation report for the dean of the college:
Good teaching is the enemy of great teaching.
I am a good teacher, but if I am not intentional about becoming a great teacher I can slide into complacency and my teaching may actually decline. So last year I began to engage in a project that was the most challenging and uncomfortable thing I have done since earning my Ph.D. 15 years ago.
Despite my long-standing resistance, I decided that my courses needed to be available to our students in the on-line venue. I began the development process last August, and in June of this year I completed the development of 3 advanced graduate level courses:
- Managerial Behavior
- Power, Influence and Leadership
- Leading Change
The challenge of doing this occurred on two levels. First was the
challenge of the technology. Second, was
the challenge of structuring the course materials in a detailed and sequential way so that the content built on itself as the course developed. This was particularly challenging because of my strong preference for spontaneity and “building the bridge as I walk on it.”
On both levels I had to follow the prescription I have so often given my students:
“Allow yourself the discomfort.” In the early stages the discomfort around the technology was so great that I wasn’t sure I could do it. But, I got by with not just a little help from my friends.
Now that the process is complete, I think the challenge has made me a better teacher – in all venues. I am more deliberate about course content and individual class sessions. And as these courses are rolled out, I am seeing additional things that need to be fixed, and that I need to learn.
Good teaching is the enemy of great teaching. I haven’t arrived yet, so forgetting what lies behind, I press on…
What are you good at? Are you allowing the fact that you are good to keep you from being great?
Allow yourself the discomfort and challenge yourself to get out of your comfort and complacency and press on to being great.
