Building Trust and Humility: Keys to Effective Firearms Instruction - WL&S S1E62

Introduction
Welcome to "Whiskey Lead and Steel," the official podcast of Aggressive Defensive Solutions! In this episode, hosts Ric Sutton and Jeremy Phillips delve into the critical topic of continuing education. If you're in any field, especially one as dynamic as firearms instruction, this is a must-watch!

Main Content
Continuing education isn't just a buzzword; it's the hallmark of a professional. Jeremy points out a common misconception among instructors: the idea that once you've achieved "instructor" status, you've reached the top. However, Ric and Jeremy emphasize that the best instructors continue to learn and improve their skills.

Key Points

Professionalism Requires Learning: Even if you're an instructor, you need to keep training and learning. Ric explains that he frequently seeks feedback from competent peers to avoid developing bad habits.
Diverse Perspectives are Vital: Having a group with varied expertise offers fresh insights. As Jeremy mentions, new sets of eyes can point out things you might not notice on your own.
Demonstration and Humility: A good instructor should be able to demo skills proficiently and admit mistakes. Ric shares his experiences of jacking up a demo and using it as a teaching moment to encourage students to learn from his mistakes.
Consistent Message Across Instructors: It's crucial for training organizations to ensure a consistent message. Ric describes their "teach backs," where instructors stand before peers to share knowledge and get feedback.
Ethics and Trust: Instructors hold a responsibility to earn and maintain the trust of their students. Jeremy and Ric discuss the ethical importance of respecting the time and money that students invest in their training.
Conclusion
This engaging conversation wraps up with Ric highlighting the importance of humor in teaching. He shares anecdotes about memorable moments and how laughter can help lessons stick. The camaraderie among instructors is palpable, and they strive to create a fun and educational environment.

Outro
Lee didn't managed to get this episode out before Christmas and Ric should be happy it was out before spring. Don't miss this episode if you want to learn why continuing education is key to professional development, especially in the firearms community. Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes from "Whiskey Lead and Steel!"