Title is not a substitute

by Marco Pete

As a student once and subsequently a lecturer, I realised that there are four types of lecturers, namely those:

• who are not technically strong with no lecturing ability


• who can lecture but are not technically strong


• who are technically strong but cannot bring over the topic to the student, and


• rare persons that can both lecture and are technically strong.

By the same token, I have noticed with managers and professionals that you get those:

• who are not technically strong with no people skills


• who are technically strong with no people skills


• who have the ability to handle people well but are not technically strong, and


• rare persons who are technically strong and have wonderful people skills and can handle relationships well.

We are all unique individuals with various talents and abilities, strengths and weaknesses. We need to realise that we may not always have the skills or abilities to handle all situations that are presented to us.

Unfortunately, people who cannot handle a situation often become defensive. In some cases that person might attack the other person, without considering that it may be themselves that are at fault.

By being aggressive, the first person does not realise that they could adversely affect the morale of the other person and the performance of the business.

Ultimately we need to learn about our strengths and weaknesses, recognise those situations in which we are not well suited, and make the effort to call for help when needed.

In the end we have all come to this earth to gain experience and to grow as a person.