We’ve all been in the middle of a project, juggling deadlines, dealing with client comments, resolving redlines, and trying to keep everything moving forward, the last thing on your mind is teaching. In the heat of that, it’s easy to get frustrated. Maybe a coworker doesn’t seem to understand how something works. Perhaps you feel like you’ve already told them once, and they still aren’t getting it. It’s tempting to throw up your hands and say, “They should know this by now.”
But should they?
There was a situation not long ago where someone on a project team was frustrated. They said something like, “I’ve been here several years and still don’t understand that when you update the plan view, you also have to update the profile.” It was said with some real exasperation, and on the surface, I understood the feeling. It’s frustrating when people miss steps that feel obvious to you, especially when it creates extra work or causes confusion.
But here’s what I couldn’t stop thinking about: Has anyone actually taught them that? Or did we all just assume they knew?
This is something I see a lot among mid-career professionals. You’re busy, you’re responsible, and you’re producing real work. You’ve got deadlines, client calls, and a never-ending email inbox. You’re no longer new to the field, but perhaps you’re not the one setting firm-wide policies either. You’re right in the middle, doing the heavy lifting.
And because of that, you’re in a really important position. You’re close enough to the work to see where mistakes are made, but experienced enough to know how to avoid them. That puts you in the best possible position to teach others. Not because it’s your job title, but because it’s your responsibility.
If You’re Not Teaching, You Can’t Be Blaming
Here’s the hard truth: You can’t be frustrated that someone doesn’t understand something if you haven’t made an effort to help them learn it. You don’t get to say, “They should know better,” if you’ve never taken the time to show them how to do better.
Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal. There’s no need for a kickoff meeting, a checklist, or an official program. What matters most is being willing to explain what you’re doing and why. Make yourself available to answer questions without judgment or bias. Approach others as if they’re capable of growth, not as obstacles to your progress. Frustration often comes from unmet expectations, but teaching helps close that gap.
Think about the people you’re frustrated with. They might not be so different from who you were five or ten years ago. You didn’t arrive at your current level of knowledge on your own. At some point, someone took the time to teach you. Maybe they explained something more than once. Maybe they gave you space to figure things out on your own. Perhaps they were patient enough to guide you through a process even when you didn’t yet know what questions to ask..
And now it’s your turn.
That’s how this profession gets better. That’s how your team gets stronger. And that’s how you move from just being a doer to being a leader, regardless of your title.
You might be thinking, “I don’t have time to slow down and teach every little thing.” I get it. However, consider how much time is wasted fixing preventable mistakes. Think about how much better the final product would be if everyone on the team had just a little more understanding. That investment of time pays off.
Why I Wrote Rounding the Bases
Lessons like this are a big part of why I wrote Rounding the Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers. The book is filled with real experiences, moments where I got things right, and plenty where I got them wrong. But what mattered most was learning from those moments and using them to grow, not just for myself but for the people around me.
If you’re in that place, where you’re the one doing the work and seeing the gaps, then this is for you. Don’t just do the work. Teach it. Share it. Talk about it. Help the person next to you understand not just what to do, but why it matters.
You’ll build better teammates, better projects, and ultimately, a better profession.
Want to learn more about mastering client communication, leadership, and technical delivery? Check out my book, Rounding the Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers, available now on Amazon. Or contact me to speak at your next company event or professional gathering. Helping engineers stand out and win in their careers is what I love to do.
If this resonates with you, let’s continue the conversation! Connect with me on LinkedIn.
