Being quiet in the pub: does it affect your job performance?

newestUser

Slightly misleading thread title, should read "does it affect a lecturer's job performance".

Would you agree with the observation that if someone is a bit shy or quiet in the pub with a group of people they've just met, they wouldn't be a good third-level lecturer, because they have to speak in front of groups of strangers on a regular basis?

monkeyfudge

I think the social dynamics of the two situations are very different and really don't have any bearing on each other.

In a lecture people are obliged to listen to what you have to say and have an expectation that you know what you're talking about. Also you will be talking about a subject that you know very well.

In the pub, everyone is expected to talk and it could be about anything.

Although certainly having the social skills to hold peoples attention in a pub, might translate well to holding peoples attention in a lecture hall.

Tom Dunne

WTF?

A social setting and an academic setting are worlds apart.

Just because somebody is quiet in a pub doesn't equate to their performance in front of a class of students.

There is more to lecturing than the ability to speak in front of groups, for example subject knowledge, ability to explain concepts, neither of which are relevant in a social setting.

damnyanks

you lecture pepole in a lecture you dont talk with them.

not everyone gets on in a social scene. Daft question

Nody

No, but you should consider looking at their zodiak and the status of Venus in conjunction with the moon. Oh and don't forget to correlate this with the Chinese year as well.

leeroybrown

I would suggest that the real underlying question here is "Would a lack of self confidence affect lecturer's job performance?".

If someone is sufficiently worried about their own lack of interaction in social settings then maybe their lack of self confidence might affect their performance at the top of a class. Conversely I'd also agree with the above posters that they are two totally different scenarios and that many people who might have issues in general social settings could be assertive and confident in a situation where they know the material well and are discussing something of interest to them.

newestUser

Better give some background to the question. I'm doing a PhD. This observation was directed at me by someone I knew. The guy was jealous of me for doing a PhD. His words were, 'No offence, but I don't think you'd make a good lecturer. When you come out with me, you seem kind of quiet around my friends. Almost shy. I think you need to be confident around people to be a lecturer.'

I haven't a problem speaking in front of people. Don't have a problem giving talks at conferences, etc. Nor do I have problems with confidence, shyness, etc. I just thought that what the guy said was brain-dead. I just had the brainwave of putting the observation out there on boards, to see what people's reaction would be.

leeroybrown

In that case it definitely sounds like they were talking out of their back passage.

Tom Dunne

Do you lecture? I do.

I have been standing in front of classes for over five years now. I would not say I am shy in social settings, but I have been told I deliver a good lecture - I'm confident, enthusiastic and knowledgeable (not my words, student's words).

It's a control thing, I think. In a social setting as you describe, where you don't know people, you don't really know where you stand. In a lecture setting, however, you are much more sure of where you stand. You are running the show. You are being paid to convey your expertise to a group of people. The buck stops with you.

So being on an unsure footing with a group of people you don't know in a pub could not be more different from being in front of a lecture theatre full of students who are looking to you for information.

Your friend is a twit. He doesn't know what he is talking about.