In the 1990s, Saturday Night Live cast member Martin Short played the neurotically defensive Nathan Thurm, an attorney for the Tobacco Growers of America. Unreceptive to information offered to him by others, Thurm's default response was, "I know that." Further input was greeted by the agitated attorney asking, "Why are you telling me that? I know that?"
Nathan Thurm closed the door on input and feedback from others. Like all know-it-alls, Thurm knew all he was ever going to know.
The Unique Gifts of Generation Z
One of the big, surprising bonuses for returning to school is being on the receiving end of the knowledge and understanding of my classmates - most of whom are young enough to be my grandchildren. To say that the members of Generation Z have a lot to offer sounds a bit patronizing. Except that it is true and I get to benefit from their gifts almost daily.
O.W.L.s Should Give a Hoot
On the first day of my first class in the fall of 2018, I sat next to Toni, a fellow O.W.L. (Older Wiser Learner.) While we were sorting out a deal to become study buddies, Ben, a 19-year-old sophomore sitting in front of us must've heard us talking. He turned around and told us about the approach his music theory study group had embraced.
The following week I spoke with Mike in our Ear Training/Solfeggio class. Mike has great ears so when he told me about an iPhone app called Harmony Cloud I was all ears. I still benefit from that tip.
These little nuggets of input have been a regular part of my experience.
Don't Refuse Peer Reviews
The audio department normally has weekly peer review gatherings in the recording studio. We take turns playing our projects for each other followed by a time of feedback and input. I find the tone of the constructive criticism encouraging. I am as lifted by kudos as much as anyone else. But I grow most when I'm told how I can be better. Some feedback is subjective and would cause one to make a lateral move, i.e., not necessarily better. Just different. So you have to be discerning. But even the equal-but-different suggestions become tools in the toolbox that will surely be employed at another time.
"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth."
Years ago I was taught that an important aspect of meekness is having a teachable spirit. Having a hard head is good when you're in the ring with an MMA beast like Connor McGregor. But being a hard head (testa dura in Italian) closes the door to opportunities for growth. Having a teachable spirit is a choice that reaps great benefits - like inheriting the earth.
Feedback, please.
What are you learning from members of this generation coming up? Please comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
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