# Giving an A #permanentnote ## Source: - [[book - The art of possibility]] Practice 3 ## Keywords (topics and howto) - [[topic - live a great life]] - [[topic - my core beliefs]] - [[topic - leading and managing]] - [[topic - negotiation and sales]] - [[topic - having a great relationship]] - [[topic - mentoring, advising and coaching]] - [[how to be a better self]] - [[how to be a better advisor]] - [[how to be a better negotiator]] - [[how to be a better leader]] ## Relevant notes - grades are a clear element of the [[zt - we live in a world of measurement]] - Grades bring conflict between individuals due to competition. [[zt - education should be focused on individuals]] - everyone that got an A will hear [[zt - the second violin voice]] and will have to ignore it ## Notes It works like this: assume people have the best of intentions. Most of the time, it is true. You will build trust much faster, so you will create meaningful relationships. This approach gives better results than starting off being suspicious. [[zt - trust is a must for long term relationship]] - A word of caution: be ready if you are wrong. Assume people mean well, but also pay attention to their actions. Notice how they behave with you, with others, and during tasks. ### In education - In the book, giving and A, is a way to remove grades in an educational environment, while keeping high quality of learning. - **The exercise** - You have an A (the best grade); now, write a letter in the future explaining how you've achieved your grade A and how you have changed as a person. You should be in love with that future self. - For any team (inc. students): this is not about grades but recognizing that each individual wants to be part of something bigger than them. So as a leader, do not complain about the person; assume their intentions are in the right place ([[zt - giving an A]]) and ask - The goal of the exercise is to remove anything in the way of the student to develop skills mastery and self-expression. Like the quote > I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo By writing the letter the student is seeing the angel they want to be and can start acting to carve it out.