First Steps

I was a newly graduated engineer when I first stepped into the world of work, in a factory in which a few plants were already part of the production process, while others were not yet operational. I had no work experience and I was given the task of going through the various departments to make a list of their needs and issues and to report to the Director. As I watched the workers, the heads of departments, the technicians, the designers and the staff of the technical, production, laboratory, sales, accounting and purchase departments, I started to realize the importance of my role, which seemed marginal, if not useless. I had to inform the new staff that continued to arrive, on their respective roles and the company rules.
Each new worker, perhaps coming from the farm breeding or agricultural sector, after a safety course, would apprentice a senior craftsman, e.g. a turner, driller, milling machine operator, welder, toolmaker or similar, and the same thing happened in the various offices, depending on the level of education and experience. Machine and plant producers also took part in the education process, with their experts. I immediately noticed that, however knowledgeable in their field, the experts could not teach the “tricks of the trade”. It was grasped only by those who had a great will to learn and a spirit of observation. This is when I realized the meaning of the phrase “The craft is sneaked, it can not be taught”.
I understood why a welder that could pass the x-ray tests was great, why a numerical control operator produced no waste, why a toolmaker could make complex spare parts that others couldn’t, why a designer could make perfect drawings, why an accountant made no mistake at all when calculating the salaries, and so on. In certain fields is not admitted to make mistakes due to the high risks, and therefore it is important to be very confident and skilled. In other areas, a certain percentage of error may be tolerated. It is true, we learn from mistakes and I too learned at my own expense. But there are so many factors in a man’s life, that everyone makes mistakes. A manager told me one day: “It is ok to make mistakes, but you’d better make it at anearly stage, as more money is lost due to decisions not taken than due to wrong decisions”. We can find many examples, in all areas of human activity – from arts and crafts to sports, the army, the church, medicine, politics, administration, etc.. Network Marketing is not different in that sense, It is therefore not enough to attend courses organized by the company and by the sponsor’s sponsor. It takes plenty of observation to grasp every useful detail. In fact, some prople have attended many courses and workshops, taken part in Success Day and other FLP events, but have nevertheless failed to fully comprehend the essence of each FLP success story told on the stage.
This is why “sneak” is the most appropriate word: because you have to read between the lines, interpret words and phrases and read body language. These signs are inseparable from the successful person’s luggage of experience. Mastery and success are not always easy to teach. The student must know how to absorb it from his mentor, who might not even be aware of the key element of his success. But, you will find his secret hidden, unadvertedly, in his punctuality, his smile, the stories and anegdotes he tells, his self-esteem and determination, his willpower, and even in his life style and the clothes he (or she) wears. The same thing happens when artists try to teach painting, sculpting, or instrumental, voice or other techniques.
Throughout history, we have often seen students surpass their Master and still praise his excellence. The techique is not the only element that counts – the spirit is just as important. In general, a Master has a certain number of students. In most cases, they pay considerable sums that allow him to afford a dignified life. Some students are dismissed, others become good apprentices, and few of them are talented and hardworking enough to surpass the Master. It was very important to listen to the Master very carefully, even if the Master did not walk the talk.