Do you teach to think or teach what to think?

Sgt Joe LaBranche — Thu, 12 May 2016 18:05:19 -0400

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made May 12 at 2016 6:08 PM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Thu, 12 May 2016 18:08:46 -0400

I would have to say teach to think Sgt Joe LaBranche . Great thought provoking question!

Response by SFC Randy Purham made May 12 at 2016 6:08 PM

SFC Randy Purham — Thu, 12 May 2016 18:08:50 -0400

Teach to think. Put the onus on them to research and verify for themselves. That's how you build trust and rapport.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 10:01 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 22:01:11 -0400

When I was a kid, my dad used to say to me, "Son, if you learn nothing else from me, learn how to think."

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 10:02 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 22:02:25 -0400

I've had it both ways. My favorite teacher from high school was Mrs Brower. She taught us how to think. Many times I disagreed with her views and she loved it. She was always respectful and gave me time to process and articulate my own view point but she TAUGHT us how to do it. She never taught us WHAT to think about a topic, just HOW to think about it and come to our own conclusions.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 13 at 2016 7:04 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:04:10 -0400

I instilled in my son both paths. He has passed that on to my grandson.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 13 at 2016 8:37 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:37:53 -0400

I teach to think but unfortunately it becomes increasingly difficult because people expect you to teach what to think. I've tried inspiring people's critical thinking skills a few times by posting those brain teasers you'll typically see people share on Facebook. I've had people genuinely get angry for "making them feel stupid" or because "we're not in school anymore, I don't need to know that".

I find it disappointing that people would actually get angry because they would have to think for more than a second.

Response by SFC Roberto Garza Jr. made May 13 at 2016 9:56 AM

SFC Roberto Garza Jr. — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:56:46 -0400

Teach to think, always important in the military, that's what helps future leaders in the decision making process.

Response by SFC Bayardo Reyes made May 13 at 2016 10:46 AM

SFC Bayardo Reyes — Fri, 13 May 2016 10:46:36 -0400

This just made my day for a question pass to instructors here at Fort Benning. Do to we teach technical more than tactful, relies hugely on thinking. Being able to analyze and problem solve thus avoiding "guessing".

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made May 16 at 2016 1:08 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Mon, 16 May 2016 13:08:49 -0400

I have always taught my those under me to think for themselves.