A student said, “Let me show you something.”

And he proceeds to execute a submission technique he came up with. I noticed a flaw and was tempted to show him a counter.

I’ve been in exchanges like this plenty of times, on both ends. And depending on how the critique is delivered, it can shut down someone’s enthusiasm for creativity.

This time, I tried something else. I had him teach me again, and then I did it on him. And then I had him work out the counter himself. This could be a gentler way, rather than discouraging someone from trying new things or presenting new ideas.