Fletcher's claim that "there are no two words more harmful in the entire English language than good job" is backed up by the example of "Bird" not becoming the great saxophone player that he did if his teacher had told him he did a "good job" messed up. Although Fletcher had a good example and I agree that telling someone they did good when they really didn't is untruthful and harmful, pushing a student to do their absolute best should not condone cruel words and behavior.
Telling someone that they did something perfect or sounded good when they actually did horrible is an act of lying. Telling the truth is always the most important thing that can be done to help someone continually grow and succeed in their skill. From my experience the saying "the truth will always come out" holds true. I remember when I was about eleven years old my mom asked me if I had let out the dog, but I was already comfy on the couch, so I lied and said yes. Later that day I went downstairs to actually let the dog out only to find she peed all over the floor. I tried to clean it up, but my mom could smell it when she came downstairs. I was grounded because I had lied and thought to myself, "If only she hadn't peed on the floor, I wouldn't be grounded because Mom wouldn't have known." Little did I know then that every time I lied, someone would always find out the truth.
Lying is also harmful, especially when it is preventing them from the opportunity to learn and expand their skills. I know from experience; I have taken piano for five years and at the beginning my teacher would tell me how good I was doing although my family knew it sounded choppy and awful. At my piano recital, I messed up so horribly that I had to restart four times. I was completely embarrassed and upset with myself because I thought I sounded good from what my teacher said. My family talked to me about how I could use that experience to work harder next time. Because of their encouragement, I had the motivation to work harder for the next recital and ended up not messing up once.
Pushing a student is actually encouraged, but it doesn't condone cruel words and actions. The purpose of a teacher is not to tear the students down but to encourage them to do better. At least that is how I learn. I also take voice lessons from an amazing teacher that also believes in strengthening students rather than degrading them. We set goads for me to achieve and he will not let me move on until I have accomplished it. With his way of teaching I enjoy working hard to sound beautiful instead of being scared into being better. Music especially is not something that can be forced; it must be felt and experienced.
In retrospect, the claim , "there are no two words more harmful in the entire English language than good job" made by Fletcher to condone his way of teaching, is not completely true. There are far more harmful ways to prevent students from fully grasping the extent of their talents. Breaking their hearts and crushing their dreams with cruel words and actions doesn't make students want to grow and learn. By encouragement and setting goals, students will want to continue to work hard to learn because they enjoy it.
