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to instruct others. You must have a great amount of knowledge--but knowledge is not enough.
You must have excellent leadership ability--but leadership ability is not enough. You must care
about the students you instruct--but caring is not enough. You must be dedicated to the Navy
and to helping others succeed--but dedication is not enough. Your ability to be efficient as well
as effective requires you to have all of these qualities and to work at continually improving
them.
PERSONALITY
For purposes of this discussion, personality is defined as the pattern of collective character,
behavioral, temperamental, emotional, and mental traits of an individual.
To be successful as an instructor, you must gain the respect of your students by displaying
a professional attitude toward others. Always show a sincere interest in all of your students
regardless of their race, geographical heritage, or level of intellect. Remain constantly aware
that students will be influenced by your behavior and the example you set both in and out of
the training environment.
As with most professions, instructors must adhere to certain rules of conduct in the
performance of their duties. The following are some of the rules of conduct you should follow:
n If you do not know an answer, admit it. Do not bluff. At times, questions will arise
that you will not be able to answer. Find the correct answer at the earliest opportunity;
then provide the information to the class as soon as practical.
9 Keep your remarks professional and appropriate to the classroom. Do not use
profanity or obscenity. Use of profane or obscene language is one of the fastest ways to
lose the respect of your students.
n Be patient.
Be aware that not all people learn in the same way or at the same rate.
While you may easily become frustrated with a person who is having difficulty with
seemingly simple material, never allow your frustration to show. If all else fails, take a
break to cool off, or consult with other instructors to find another approach to resolve the
difficulty. Remember, in the majority of situations, students are sincerely trying to
understand what is being taught. Your job is to find a way to help them.
n Maintain rapport with students. The use of sarcasm is another way to lose the respect
of your students. Sarcasm, whether it is directed at one individual or the entire group, is
never appropriate.
= Treat students with respect. All of the individuals you train should feel you have a
sincere interest in their efforts to learn.
Although your students will not have your
knowledge or experience, you should think of them as being physically, mentally, and
emotionally mature.
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