A Conversation with a Student and the Lecturer
Here is a conversation between the lecturer, the student, and his mom
Lecturer: Mr. Johnson
Student: Mustapha
Mom: Oyeleke
Mr Johnson.
Your son is a failure, is barely passing my class, and with a grade like this, I`m just not sure what kind of future is gonna have…
Mom
What do you have to say, for yourself you`re supposed to graduate this year, listen to `Mr. Johnson` what kind of future do you think you gonna have?
Son
With all due respect sir, don`t call me a failure.
Failure is an event not a person in fact, and you talk about the future Mr. Johnson, but you`re not preparing us for that.
Mr. Johnson
Excuse me.
Son
Just listen to what am saying.
Mr. Johnson
This should be good…
Son
Did you agree that in the Future, most careers will become “Automatic”?
Mr. Johnson
Yes so…
Son
So the people who succeed will have to be,
“Curious ” “Innovation ” ” Resilient “. To adapt to a new change.
Mr. Johnson
What`s your point?
Son
My point is, the focus in this school, it`s not on that. It`s on regurgitating information and test-taking, and that`s just real. But in today`s world… Creativity is the most important leadership skill.
Mr. Johnson
On that`s how you feel…
Son
You don`t have to believe the 1,500 Executives who recently said creativity is the most important leadership skill, so pretty soon, no one will be. Because of what they know, because who cares, what you know, or if you`ve memorized a fact. Where Googling, serious for that.
In the future people will be hired because of what they can do with their knowledge, can they creatively solve real-world problems? Not just follow instructions or directions and bubble in multiple-choice questions.
So, mom, that`s why am stressed cause these Robotic tasks we learned in school should stop, because no one can do a Robot job, better than a Robot. Billionaires founder of Ali-baba, Jack MA, said that…
We should not compete with artificial intelligence but instead, focus on developing, Unique human mind so these repetitive, knowledge-based tasks.
We must live behind or the future, you gonna find a lot of people graduate out of your class – Right into the unemployment line.
See many top companies today, don`t look at grades. Mom, that`s old way is expiring. Click here
Google has been quoted as saying:
GPAs are “WORTHLESS” criteria for hiring.
Founder of Tesia Elon must agree.
So I say this with unease and sorrow if you continue to teach today as you taught yesterday you robust student of tomorrow.
Mr. Johnson I`m going to keep it real with you, sometimes sitting in your class is tough in constantly thinking, if I don`t look up the clock maybe it will speed up, so I listen to you, do my work and pay attention, feeling like an hour had to have gone by.
But it was only three minutes, So if you wonder why we`re bored in class, look….. You want to get a kid to hate reading, give him this (gift) a student textbook.
And people think it`s our fault….. And that hurts me.
They said you can lead a horse to water but you can`t make it drink, and today I said NO.
Firstly, you can put salt in that horse hay and make him thirsty.
And if you bring joy in your classroom, you can make any bad student nerdy.
As he or she discovers the beauty of truly learning.
Mr. Johnson, I mean no disrespect, what you have most important on this planet, you Build, Create, and save lives, but if you really care about my future, as you said then, you have to fully commit and ask yourself honestly.
How do I prepare a child for a future that doesn`t yet exist?
Here`s a hint…..
This answer is not found in this (hold a book), it using this (point at brain) and this (touch the heart).
See in the Future we will need more passion and compassion, people with inspired hearts and wisdom to uplift this planet.
And mom I love you, but you can not be real.
Mom
Go ahead, son.
Son
You wanna know one of the biggest factors for childhood success? Is not I Q, it`s family meals and we haven`t had one of those in a while, see I know sometimes you don`t feel proud, cause I may not be straight a student, but am not stupid.
This test (holding a sheet of paper) maybe 70% on my grade, but they are 0% of my future.
But don`t worry I will pass this class and get through this. But I need you to give me space, I need to be me and live true, cause the best feeling in the world is that your own parents get you. There`s a passage in the book called prophet. By Kahlil Gibran, and if you don`t mind will love to share it with you.
Mom
Go ahead son.
Son
See he says…
Your children aren`t your children, they are the sons and daughters of life longing for itself.
They came through you, but not from you, and though they are with you, they do not belong to you, you may give them your love, but not your thoughts, for they have there own thoughts, you may house their bodies but not there souls, for there soul dwell in the house of tomorrow.
So mom I`d appreciate it if you give me the love that I need to pursue my dreams. See if we are to succeed all three of us need behavior, your Change on all fronts we talk about THE FUTURE IS NOW. I need to create it now by all of us.
Mr. Johnson
Have never had you speak like that before.
Mom
Yeah, I don`t know.
Mr. Johnson
But I`m going to reach out to Administration and try to change somethings. You have my words.
Moral of this Story
Don`t ever think that you are a failure.
Tell that person I`m not a failure.
Failure is just an event, not a person.
A graduate is just a class or grade, that doesn`t mean you must get a job or employment.
People who succeed today are those people who are “CURIOUS” “INNOVATED” and “RESILIENT”.
In today`s World, CREATIVITY is the most important leadership skills.
Who cares about what you know, except you create it. E.g Comedian, Technology, Music, Business, Google research, and so on…
The answer is not found in book, but can only be found in your Brain and in your Heart.
You will need more passion and compassion with inspired hearts and wisdom.
So if you can give yourself the love that you need, you can then pursue your dream.
Life is too short to live someone else`s dream. Click here