Teaching Changes My Own Work
Recently, I have had more opportunities to teach. I have started working with more people than before, and I find myself explaining how to use tools and describing processes in various situations more frequently.
Teaching is also the process of putting into words things that had become second nature to me. In that process, however, I sometimes realize what I was actually looking at and how I was making my judgments.
Take brazing, for example. In the past, I would always use extreme heat settings because I was worried about what would happen if it melted or if I didn't use enough. But lately, I have started by looking at the thickness and size of the object to determine the balance of heat. Even while heating, I find myself naturally adjusting the distance of the burner while watching the color of the metal and how the heat spreads.
I believe these changes have come about because I have faced various situations while teaching. Whether it is something large, something delicate, or something that needs correction along the way, I feel that my repertoire of judgments has increased by encountering tasks I might not have experienced on my own.
Another significant factor is that the people I am teaching sometimes use "unexpected methods." Because they have less knowledge, they use procedures or movements I wouldn't have anticipated. Most of the time it doesn't work out, but on rare occasions, they still succeed. When that happens, I am the one who ends up surprised.
If a method seems reproducible, I sometimes share it with others. It is precisely because I have been teaching that I have realized there are options other than the method I thought was the best.
When you have knowledge, it is easy to fall into the trap of teaching based on your own "obvious" assumptions. But in reality, by teaching, my own perspective is constantly changing. I have been finding that very interesting lately.
Even when I am in the position of a teacher, the learning continues. I believe that is the beauty of the world of craftsmanship.