Are you familiar with the feeling of people constantly seeking guidance with a “tell me what to do” attitude?
This is a common experience for me, having been a school teacher but also as the manager of a commercial greenhouse. Most often, people don’t want to be on the hook. The underlying reason for “tell me what to do” behavior is the desire to shift responsibility for the outcome to someone else. By taking direction, some people feel a sense of safety in the event of failure. I don’t always give in to this behavior because it’s essential to resist the urge to always provide answers and encourage individuals to take ownership of their actions. There’s just as much to learn from failure as there is from winning. It just feels differently.
This just as easily applies to parenting. Similarly, I keep this in mind for myself when I’m working with contractors.
