Who Are You?

When considering the principle of “You- Not Them” it’s easy to get overwhelmed since most of our plates are already very full. Most of us are already juggling the roles of parent, spouse, provider, sibling, friend, and teacher. The list goes on and on. Now we're supposed to add passionate student? How and where do we fit that in?

Might I suggest that we stop and ask not how to apply the principle “You – Not Them”, but who are “You”?

“You – Not Them” implies that you know who “You” are. Do you? If you’ve read the basics of the 7 Keys of Great Teaching you know that when discussing the principle of “You – Not them” Oliver DeMille says things like, “Focus on your education, and invite them along for the ride” and “A parent or teacher does not have to be an expert to inspire great education, but he does have to be setting the example”.

If you read further in Dr. DeMille’s new book, Leadership Education you will read what this education you’re supposed to be getting actually is.

“The very essence of education is to learn of one’s mission and pursue it. Buddha reportedly said: ‘Your purpose in life is to find your purpose in life, and then to give your whole heart and soul to it’.
Mission is the reason we need education, the goal for which we learn, and the place where we apply what we have learned. A vision, a direction, a mission, a purpose – these are education. Everything else is a footnote.”

So to do “You – Not Them” you need to know who “You” are. What is your Vision, your Mission, your Purpose? Dr. DeMille continues by saying, “When we tap into the power of our unique mission and purpose, we will discover ‘wind beneath our wings’ that propels, sustains and directs us through our life.”

I submit that as we find a vision, discover our mission, truly come to understand who the “You” is in “You – Not Them” this principle will become easier and the how will become clear.

Tammy Smith