Biography

University of Idaho - Education

Educator, Business entrepreneur, Author
Bryan
Maughan
Idaho Falls, Idaho
The rubber eventually hits the road and theory must prove itself viable. Theoretical mumbo-jumbo from college is a good start, but it's not the only start. Some theory is generated and tested in real-time on the factory floor. No matter where they are conceived, great ideas must be tested on the battlefield of human strengths and weaknesses.

I spent several years training/mentoring/coaching graduate students in the art becoming professional. I left academia and joined my wife who began a small business. I used that environment to see if the theories I’ve been grappling with were no more than complex sounding academic nonsense. As a graduate professor I wanted to discover ways to help high school graduates, college graduates, and relocating mid-career professionals adjust to the never ending necessity of becoming self-reliant learners and independent thinkers. The jury is still out on my test.

In theory, two key concepts I began to dig into were 1.) the ideas of protégéing and 2.) the process of becoming professional. Real protégéing requires five ingredients: a.) Independent thinking; b.) moral agency; c.) self-reliant learning; d.) smart-risk; and e.) intelligent-failure.

Protégéing is the process of becoming professional by drawing out knowledge from wise professionals. This is done by asking two kinds of questions: humble and appreciative (from David Cooperrider and Edgar Schein). Becoming is a matter of deliberate practice, but it must be the right kind of practice. The ideas I am playing with are a synthesis of research on positive psychology and gratitude. As I learn I will publish and make all sources known.