© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.
For more than twenty years Professor Edwin R. Keedy of the University of Pennsylvania Law School used to start his first class by putting two figures on the blackboard--4 2.
Then he would ask, "What's the solution?"
One student would call out, "Six." Another would say "Two." Then several would shout out "Eight!" But the teacher would shake his head in the negative. Then Keedy would point out their collective error.
"All of you failed to ask the key question: What is the problem? Ladies and Gentlemen, unless you know what the problem is, you cannot possibly find the answer."
This teacher knew that in law as in everyday life, too much time is spent trying to solve the wrong problem--like polishing brass on a sinking ship.
We must always be asking the question, "What's the problem?" Whether it is in our profession or in our personal lives, there is no point in working on those things that don't need it. Our strengths may be more comfortable, and may be easier, but it is our areas of weakness that need attention. It takes courage to face the problems.
Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume II (2004).
Then he would ask, "What's the solution?"
One student would call out, "Six." Another would say "Two." Then several would shout out "Eight!" But the teacher would shake his head in the negative. Then Keedy would point out their collective error.
"All of you failed to ask the key question: What is the problem? Ladies and Gentlemen, unless you know what the problem is, you cannot possibly find the answer."
This teacher knew that in law as in everyday life, too much time is spent trying to solve the wrong problem--like polishing brass on a sinking ship.
We must always be asking the question, "What's the problem?" Whether it is in our profession or in our personal lives, there is no point in working on those things that don't need it. Our strengths may be more comfortable, and may be easier, but it is our areas of weakness that need attention. It takes courage to face the problems.
Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume II (2004).
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