CFI Personality?

[jspeed87]

I would consider myself to have a introverted personality, can I still be a good CFI? My perception of a CFI orteacher for that matter, is someone who is outgoing with a bright personality. I have no issue with studying the FOIs or expanding my Aviation Knowledge, it's just the whole becoming a teacher is what worries me. I can't picture myself giving a ground school or using the lecture method. I would always come up with an excuse to not particiapte in class presentations. I'm hoping I can get tru this because I have no other option to build 135 time to fly single pilot cargo.

 

[Houston]

YES! Absolutely, positively, yes.

Students are not all alike and instructors of one personality type are not the best for all students.

The key ingredients in being a good CFI are to know your craft, continue to work on improving your knowledge, and have a sincere desire to develop the student into a safe, responsible and proficient aviator.

 

[NickH]

Six years ago, I might have asked the same question. Except I would have been too introverted to ask.

You have potential to be an excellent educator. People who are bright and extroverted come across as being 'know-it-alls', and tend to overwhelm their students with their personality. Being introverted gives you a calm, professional and serious demeanour in the cockpit, which students tend to respond well to. You will be perceived as caring more about your student's success than having a good time and larking about. In terms of teaching, you will learn that in your first couple of hundred hours of doing it. Over a few months, your people skills will dramatically increase. Fake it 'til you make it.

 

[Mike H]

Six years ago, I might have asked the same question. Except I would have been too introverted to ask.

You have potential to be an excellent educator. People who are bright and extroverted come across as being 'know-it-alls', and tend to overwhelm their students with their personality. Being introverted gives you a calm, professional and serious demeanour in the cockpit, which students tend to respond well to. You will be perceived as caring more about your student's success than having a good time and larking about. In terms of teaching, you will learn that in your first couple of hundred hours of doing it. Over a few months, your people skills will dramatically increase. Fake it 'til you make it.

Rather than "Fake it till you make it" a better way to say it might be "make yourself do it"

 

[Screaming_Emu]

I used to be an introvert until I became a CFI. Then I found something that I was very passionate and was good at and really enjoyed doing, and that brought me out of my shell. I'll still say that I am an introvert, but now I'm pretty good in public situations, had no problem teaching ground school, and actually enjoyed instructing.

Just make sure you know your stuff, make sure your student knows that you are there to make sure they succeed, and you'll start feeling comfortable in no time.

 

[Fly_Unity]

NickH hit it spot on. You will actually enjoy being a CFI and be good at it, especially if you post on here worrying about being a good CFI.

A lot of CFI's (even if they are very good with people) dont give a care how good they are as an Instructor, yet they sure like to let people know though how good they are though!

 

[rframe]

One big key is learning that people think far less about you than you think they do. I dont mean they think less "of" you....but less "about" you. Many "shy" people (which can be confused for introvert... not necessarily the same thing), are dealing with lower self-confidence because they perceive that others are waiting to be impressed by them and they feel like if they cannot be charming and witty they wont be liked. That's just not reality, most people truly dont care much about how charming you are. In a role like a pilot or CFI they are coming into this already perceiving you to be the expert. Work on understanding the student's goals and learning styles and sharing your knowledge and skills in a simple way that fits the students needs and background. This should help you spend less effort thinking about yourself and how you are being perceived, and more time focusing on them.... and seriously, when people feel like you're really focused on learning about them, understanding them, and helping them, it's almost a guarantee that they will think you're awesome... that's just the way most people are wired.

 

[jspeed87]

One big key is learning that people think far less about you than you think they do. I dont mean they think less "of" you....but less "about" you. Many "shy" people (which can be confused for introvert... not necessarily the same thing), are dealing with lower self-confidence because they perceive that others are waiting to be impressed by them and they feel like if they cannot be charming and witty they wont be liked. That's just not reality, most people truly dont care much about how charming you are. In a role like a pilot or CFI they are coming into this already perceiving you to be the expert. Work on understanding the student's goals and learning styles and sharing your knowledge and skills in a simple way that fits the students needs and background. This should help you spend less effort thinking about yourself and how you are being perceived, and more time focusing on them.... and seriously, when people feel like you're really focused on learning about them, understanding them, and helping them, it's almost a guarantee that they will think you're awesome... that's just the way most people are wired.

Thanks, I will try to do that. I guess it's just a way I was in HS....time to outgrow that behavior (learning). If I just focus on the task of instructing, everything else should fall into place. Hopefully becoming a CFI can be a way to improve my people/networking skills.

 

[ILS37R]

Adding my voice to the chorus: different students need different types of instructors. At the flight school where I worked, if someone was having consistent difficulties making progress with a student, we'd switch up instructors based on personality and style. More often than not, the student would suddenly "get it." A lot of it is about student comfort. If a student doesn't feel at-ease, their learning will suffer. Some people like a blustering, outgoing teacher, others find it off-putting.

As long as you're passionate about teaching or, at the very least, a professional about it and knowledgable, you will succeed. In fact, your personality may help students who otherwise would be left rudderless.