Often I see that under-performing individuals, in studies or at work, are dubbed as lazy, inefficient and unambitious. However, I feel this is not always the case.

At times these individuals are inhibited by invisible factors that render them unable to do as well as they can, despite their sincere intentions. For instance, if a student fails a test, it may not necessarily be because he or she doesn’t prioritise their studies. It may be that someone at home was unwell and they looked after them, or were disturbed by it, due to which they couldn’t give enough time to their test preparation.

It could also be that some guests have come over to stay for a few days with their kids, and therefore the host children couldn’t study or prepare for the test. In short, there could be a lot of different scenarios other than the child’s disinterest in the studies, which may have resulted in the child doing poorly at school.

Here comes the important part that adults, especially the child’s parents, teachers and mentors, can play. Rather than passing unkind remarks, a teacher needs to become a coach. He or she needs to be aware of the fact that poor performance is not necessarily a result of non-seriousness on the part of the student. Then the teacher should gently approach the child to discuss what has been keeping them from achieving their potential.

Most children are not bold to open up, on their own, about their problems. So the teacher should not press the student to share more than what they are willing to share. An understanding teacher can get a hint from the facial expression of a child of what he/she is going through. An empathic teacher can at least make out that the bad result of a child is the result of foreign factors and there is nothing wrong with the potential of the student.

Getting the gist of a student’s problems is sufficient to enable the teacher to devise an effective strategy that could help them to cater to such students’ disparate needs. Most of the times, a few extra classes, or a one-to-one session can bridge the gap in the student’s learning. Moreover, a word of reassurance can boost their morale. Maybe a re-test can help them prove their true mettle, since all they may need might be some appreciation and encouragement.

Coaching has to do with identifying the root cause that slows down performance and devising person-specific strategy to remove that cause. When rightly done, it can transform an individual’s performance from embarrassing low to remarkably high levels.

Youngsters may feel that they cannot perform the role of a coach since they are students themselves, but if they look around, they will find people whom they can help. Maybe they can impart guidance to their younger siblings to help them overcome certain problems that they may be facing. Maybe they can cheer up a fellow student who might be feeling dejected after a low test score. If they are good at a sport, they can spend some time with younger kids or those who are still learning it and guide them to improve their skill.

So if youngsters look around, I am sure they will find people at study, at play and other areas of life, whom they can coach to make them better than they found them.

And after all, guiding and coaching helps a person to become better at whatever they are doing. So be a beacon of light for others, coach others to become the best version of themselves.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 25th, 2023