"Those who can do, those who can't teach" Busting a BS Myth

The saying "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach," attributed to George Bernard Shaw, has been widely misconstrued and misused.

Some years ago, I received an email that was not meant for me but discussed me in extremely derogatory terms. The sender was a person who was trying to find a way to replace me as a consultant for a company based on his friendship with the owner.

The last email, a series between the two men involved, contained this statement.

"Those who can do; those who can't teach."

I recently reread the email, which I found wedged into a journal from that time while I cleared out my attic.

As I read it, I felt all that old emotion and frustration rise within me. I felt resentment and anger boiling within me for about an hour as I relived the entire experience that led to this point.

Not only did my journals remind me of what was happening at the time, but I also had all the evidence and proof that I was not in the wrong.

This was until, after reliving the entire episode and carefully thinking about the people involved, I realized how they used this type of thing to hide their failures and inadequacies as people and leaders.

So, with all of that emotion now gone and dealt with, I want to dismantle the myth surrounding this phrase and highlight the value of teachers, including eductors, trainers, coaches, and consultants.

I will use these words interchangeably throughout this article.

The quote is from a stage play, Man and Superman, written by George Bernard Shaw way back in 1905!

The meaning behind the phrase in today's society is that those who fail in their chosen career quickly run away and into the teaching space, where there is less responsibility.

The fact is, there are thousands of examples that prove this to be untrue.

1. Historical Examples of Achievers Who Were Teachers

Contrary to the myth, many of history's most capable individuals have been doers and teachers.

Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, JK Rowlings, JJR Tolkien, Alexander Graham Bell and Stephen Hawking all pioneers in their fields and dedicated teachers. And these are just a few names I could mention. The list is long and high profile.

These people leveraged academic positions to advance their research, collaborating with peers and mentoring the next generation of innovators, inventors, writers, actors, doctors, scientists, biologists, entrepreneurs and creators.

In just these few examples, it is obvious that teaching is often a role embraced by those who are at the forefront of their fields, not just a fallback for those who fail in their primary professions.

2. Teaching Enhances Knowledge and Skills

The act of teaching forces educators to deepen their understanding and refine their skills.

Effective teaching requires clarity of thought and the ability to answer challenging questions, deepening the teacher's understanding.

Robert Heinlein's quote, "When one teaches, two learn," encapsulates the mutual learning that occurs during the teaching process.

A business coach might find that explaining strategic planning to clients helps clarify their strategies, leading to better business outcomes for both parties.

It is also true that, as teachers or educators, we often achieve a greater depth of knowledge in our subject area as we are exposed to a rich and deep level of questioning.

It also ensures that knowledge is continually refreshed and never becomes obsolete.

3. The Discipline of Teaching Itself

Teaching is a specialised discipline that requires unique skills, especially when addressing the needs of students with learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD.

Trainers and educators must develop strategies to engage diverse learners and adapt their teaching methods to meet varied needs.

They face the challenge of making complex information accessible, relatable and engaging.

Horace Mann once said, "A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron."

Teachers must develop a range of interpersonal skills, from empathy to communication, which are valuable in any professional setting.

Educating others often leads to innovations in teaching that can benefit various learning styles, which is particularly important in the context of neurodiversity.

So why does the myth persist?

In many societies, teaching, training or educating isn’t seen as prestigious as other professions, leading to stereotypes about its ease or importance.

Negative experiences in education can lead people to perpetuate this myth without understanding the complexities of teaching.

Training, Coaching and Teaching require not only knowledge but also a deep understanding of how to convey complex ideas effectively.

The saying from Aristotle, "Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach," better reflects the reality that teaching, training, coaching and educating is about passing on understanding, not just knowledge.

My Final Thought:

Teaching, at its core, is a vital social function that ensures knowledge is preserved and advanced from one generation to the next. Recognising and respecting this role is crucial, especially for business leaders who rely on the continuous exchange of knowledge to innovate and grow.

"Those you can do, those who can't is a complete and utter myth.

Please let me know what you think.

My name is Vic.

I am dyslexic and have ADHD

ReThink! is about exploring the impact of our thoughts on the results we deliver and everything in between.