As covered in the first article in this series, Principles of Effective Teaching, reliability engineers, FMEA team leaders, and other quality and reliability professionals are often called upon to teach the principles of reliability or FMEA. Whether you are a student who wants to enhance your learning experience, an instructor who wants to improve teaching results, or an engineer who wishes to convey knowledge to another person, this series will offer practical knowledge and advice.

Conveying Interest and Passion When Teaching

“A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron.” Horace Mann

What is Interest and how does it enhance learning?

The definition of interest is “a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to something or someone.”

When teaching to one person or a group, be genuinely interested in the subject you are teaching and the people who you are talking to. In my early teaching years, I would end each day by asking “any questions?” One day, there were no questions, but the body language told me there were concerns. I went around the room and for each and every person, I looked them in the eye, and with genuine interest, I asked them how they were doing so far, and if they had a question. Every person gave a candid response about their progress and asked a question. If I hadn’t shown this heightened level of interest, they would not have shared their concerns and questions. I begin a new course by going around the room and showing a genuine interest in each person: what is their name, how is their name pronounced, what group do they come from, what is their level of experience, and more.

What have I learned about being interested?

It stimulates a response interest in what I am teaching. When I show an interest in a student, the student is more open to being interested in what I am teaching.

How can you enhance your level of interest?

Practice active listening, show genuine curiosity about others by asking open-ended questions and really listening to their responses. Look at people in their eyes when they are talking or when you are talking with them. Try to empathize with their experiences, their personal perspectives.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi said,

If you are interested in something, you will focus on it, and if you focus attention on anything, it is likely that you will become interested in it. Many of the things we find interesting are not so by nature, but because we took the trouble of paying attention to them.

Tip: When showing interest in the subject you are teaching or in the student who is learning, the key is the authenticity of your interest. Never pretend you are interested. BE genuinely interested.

What is Passion and how does it enhance learning?

The definition of passion is “intense driving or conviction.”

Years ago, before I had experience in public speaking, I was scheduled to talk to engineering management on the reliability of their products. I developed what I thought was a “bulletproof” presentation that had all the right words. I practiced and presented the slides, and received a polite response. I said the right things, but did not connect with my audience. Lesson learned. The next time I went before the same audience, I added a step to my preparation. I reflected on my message: What part of the message did I feel most passionate about? I felt very strongly that products should work when used by the customer. In my presentation, I conveyed my same reliability message, but looked the audience in the eye, person by person, and shared my feeling on *why* products should work when used by anyone. It was a matter of respect for the customer and the reputation of our company. I shared: this is on the forefront of my mind when I come to work in the morning, and I bet it is the same with each of you. The result was day and night difference, with much better connection and response.

The point isn’t to merely say the words; it is to believe what you are saying and communicate with genuine passion.

Who would you rather teach you, someone who is genuinely interested in what they are teaching or someone who comes across as bored or disinterested? Why?

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking said, “Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one of passion.”

What have I learned about using genuine passion in my teaching?

Passion that is genuine and appropriate enhances learning. Students will pay attention and learn more from a person who speaks from their heart.

Tip: Ask yourself why does your message matter? What excites you about the subject you will be teaching? What is it about your message that makes a difference to the audience, the students? Why should they care? Speak from your heart. Convey your meaningful passion. Allow your authentic emotions to augment your message.

Tip: Remember the words of Benjamin Franklin, “If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.” Your passion for a subject should be guided by your intellectual reason.

Summary

Showing genuine interest in your subject and your students enhances learning. Sharing your personal passion about the subject you are teaching, in a real and meaningful way, also enhances learning. Interest and passion can be practiced and integrated into your teaching. The result will be a message that is more likely to reach people and gain acceptance.

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