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About this quote

What does it mean?
Instructors should identify if a student struggles due to lack of ability or lack of effort, treating each case with patience or firmness respectively, while avoiding ridicule.
In plain terms
Tell the difference between a student who can't do something and one who won't, and handle them differently without being mean.
What can you take from it?
Adjust your teaching approach based on whether the issue is ability or effort.

Where it applies

  • classroom management
  • coaching
  • mentoring

Putting it to work

  • diagnose student struggles
  • avoid sarcasm
  • tailor feedback

Questions to consider

  • How do you know when to be patient versus firm?
  • What role does sarcasm play in learning?

Another view

It can be hard to accurately distinguish between ability and effort in the moment.

More from Bruce Lee

  1. An instructor should exemplify the things he seeks to teach. It will be of great advantage if you yourself can do all you ask of your students and more.

    Permalink to quote #13
  2. Even today, I dare not say that I have reached a state of achievement. I'm still learning, for learning is boundless.

    Permalink to quote #15
  3. Jeet Kune Do rejects all restrictions imposed by form and formality and emphasizes the clever use of the mind and body to defend and attack.

    Permalink to quote #12

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